Supporters hope Tarkington elementary will bring the idea of environmentally friendly urban buildings into the mainstream.
In contrast to other Chicago buildings, Tarkington has a living, green roof planted atop the gymnasium. It's a garden of short, self-sustaining flowering plants that don't need much water and can withstand Chicago's weather, said project manager Julie Chamlin.
The insulation provided by the soil and vegetation will help keep the building warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Rainwater soaking into the soil will be piped to a nearby lagoon.
The school also is designed to use 30 percent less water than expected for a building of its size and get half of its electricity from renewable resources, and it has a reflective coating to reduce the amount of heat getting in.
Tarkington is one of about 110 schools in the United States that have been certified or are seeking "green" certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Proponents say Tarkington represents a huge leap forward because it is in Chicago and not in some small town or tree-hugging city on the more environmentally conscious West Coast.
Tarkington sits on Chicago's Southwest Side, in a neighborhood of bungalows, a large city park, mom-and-pop convenience stores and restaurants. Many shops display signs in Spanish and English.
Aside from savings on costs of water and energy, such schools are exciting for what they can do for students. Proponents believe the air quality in a "green" building is better than other schools, and that students won't be out sick as much and may perform better. In addition, the green roof will offer hands-on lessons on life cycles and plant life, said the school's principal, Vincent Iturralde.
