A Gas Station that Functions as a Model of Energy Efficiency?

In this day and age gas stations aren’t exactly symbols of clean energy and sustainability. On average a gas station in the U.S. delivers about 850,000 gallons of fossil fuel per year accounting for about 8200 tons of CO2 emissions (per year)!

Helios House in Los Angeles, California however is a filling station like no other! Although its main purpose is to distribute gas (like any other gas station), several unique features set this one apart from all the others.

For starters…

Helios House has a distinct architecture for a gas station as you can see in the images. Spread over 10,500 square feet this station is built to maximize energy efficiency and sustainability!

BP plc, this distinctively green gas station’s client intends it to function as a ‘learning lab,’ where education and discussion are promoted to advocate environmentally friendly practices.

So why eco-friendly?

Several features with regard to the architecture make this gas station ironically eco-friendly.

1. Mass-customization of building elements – what this means is that prefabricated steel structures were used for the construction of the entire station


(Image via: Laist)

2. Runoff water from the site is stored and filtered in an underground cistern and then used to water plants


(Image via: Laist)

3. Ninety solar panels attached to the roof generate 15,000 kilowatt-hours of energy, enough juice to power 2-3 American homes for a whole year!
4. Energy-efficient lights used inside the station
5. The canopy or the roof is designed to reflect light which saves approximately 16% on energy consumption compared to a conventional gas station
6. Sensors that operate through a 24 hour cycle are in place to further optimize the use of artificial light
7. Recycled materials have been used wherever possible

This filling station is even LEED-certified which is an internationally recognized third-party verification system for ‘green’ buildings.

Via: Architecture Week and Laist