Given their 24-hour operations and extensive reliance on power and plumbing, casinos are more commonly associated with greenbacks than green building design.
The LEED-Gold-certified Rivers Casino in Des Plains, Ill., is an exception. Construction waste recycling for the 20-acre project exceeded 89%, and nearly 60% of the building materials for the project were locally sourced.
LED lighting on three signature towers extends to a parking facility incorporating a reflective roof and "living" exterior walls. In addition to preferred parking for alternative-fuel vehicles, valet parking is available for electric cars.
Low-flow plumbing fixtures and sensor-controlled faucets reduce water usage throughout.
Rivers Casino, Des Plaines, Ill. Key Players
Owner: Development Management Assoc., Chicago
General Contractor: Pepper Construction Co., Tinley Park, Ill.
Architect: Klai Juba Architects, Las Vegas
Structural Engineer: Clark Engineering, Minneapolis
MEP Engineer: RHR Consulting Engineers, Las Vegas
