Morton Arboretum Visitor Center
Lisle, IL

This world-renowned museum of outdoor woody plants encompasses 1,700 acres of plants from around the world.  The Arboretum decided to demolish the old Visitor Center and build a new one to offer visitors an expanded array of recreational and educational opportunities, as well as improved vehicle access and parking.

CCJM was chosen for our background in sustainable design to help create the new 40,000 sq.ft. building with a corporate office wing and 10,000 sq. ft multi-use area (assembly, exhibits, dining/banquet), a retail and gift area and a food service area.

CCJM analyzed 6 different options using the computerized DOE-2 simulation model.  Our design options ranged from using the adjacent Lake Meadow to cool and heat the building to geothermal systems and solar systems.  The selected design was based on cost and efficiency.  It included a custom air handling system with energy recovery wheels to reduce the system size and recover energy.   CCJM also helped develop the grant application and was successful in receiving the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation Grant based on the project’s use of energy efficiency technologies.