Prairie Crossing
Grayslake, Illinois, United States
https://www.shaw-co.com/prairie-crossing
Prairie Crossing is a residential development that aspires to conserve and protect the ecology of the site. Its intent is to enhance the environment, promote a healthy lifestyle, create a sense of place, build a sense of community, encourage economic and racial diversity, provide convenient and efficient transportation, conserve energy, foster lifelong learning and education, ensure attractive design and high quality construction, and ensure economic viability.
667 acres
1986-ongoing
Prairie Holdings Corporation
Performance levels achieved:
Standard
Good
Better
Living
Regenerative
| Place | |
|---|---|
| Limits to Growth | |
| Food | |
| Habitat | |
| Transportation | |
| Water | |
| Energy | |
| Health + Happiness | |
| Civilized Environment | |
| Neighborhood Design | |
| Biophilia | |
| Resilient Connections | |
| Materials | |
| Material Plan | |
| Embodied Energy & Carbon | |
| Waste | |
| Equity | |
| Neighborhood & Access | |
| Access to Nature | |
| Access to Community Services | |
| Investment | |
| Beauty | |
| Inspiration |
Goals & Strategies:
Place
-
Food
Goals: Not defined.
Strategies: 14 acre organic farm, plots can be leased. Farmers market.
Habitat
Goals: 70% of the development set aside for preservation.
Strategies: 22 acre lake, 160 acres of restored prairie. Constructed wetlands. Preserved wetlands, native landscaping is promoted.
Transportation
Goals: Not defined.
Strategies: Not reported.
Water
-
Water
Goals: Utilize ecosystem services of stormwater filtration and retention.
Strategies: Rainwater infiltration. Water-efficient appliances. Wetland restoration to filter stormwater. Stormwater management plan and case study.
Energy
-
Energy
Goals: Houses constructed to use 50% less energy.
Strategies: Energy Star standard for energy-efficient construction of condo buildings. LEED ND certification. Single-family homes built to Building America Program standards. Energy-efficient appliances. School has geothermal heating. R-43 insulation in all ceilings.
Health + Happiness
Materials
-
Embodied Energy & Carbon
Goals: High-quality construction.
Strategies: Double air-barrier construction. Use of recycled wood products, non-toxic glues, double-glazed windows with argon cavity.
Waste
Goals: Not defined.
Strategies: Reduction of construction waste by 20%.
Equity
-
Neighborhood & Access
Goals: Not defined.
Strategies: Public access to streets. Human-scale design. Town Center, commuter train station. Schools, community services, resident participation in organic farming and conservation education. Percentage of housing sales donated to Liberty Prairie Reserve. Art installations.
Download Case Study (PDF)
Sources:
Prairie Crossing
*Note: This case study was developed using found information.
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