Some hydrologists believe this overlooked wetlands feature is the foundation for an alternative to the dam and levee flood containment policies criticized after 1993 Mississippi River floods. Restoring enough wetlands could sponge flood water naturally. Dr. Donald L. Hey directs the Des Plaines River Wetlands Demonstration Project, a complex of experimental wetlands 35 miles north of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Dr. Hey's research team measured and analyzed water pumped into the experimental wetland from the Des Plaines River and water leaving its outlet. Green design requires early integration of building systems, but the developer of a multi-tenant building controls only the building shell.
Tenants are responsible for inside building systems.
The consortium hopes to design the fourth building in COL's Continental Towers development to be at least 50 percent more efficient than its predecessors. RMI is also working on new lease language that encourages both tenants and landlords to share the costs and the benefits of energy-efficiency measures. DesignTex have developed a line of compostable upholstery fabrics. DesignTex approached McDonough with the idea of using yarn from recycled plastic. But McDonough insisted on natural fibers that can return to earth when the fabric wears out.