To create an eco-industrial store that simultaneously honors the environment and its historic South Loop location, designers minimized materials and used resources wisely for the new 53,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market in Chicago. For example, renewable, local, recycled, low-VOC and certified wood materials are used throughout the store.

Fluorescent, ceramic metal-halide and natural lighting increase energy efficiency. And even a signage system fabricated from cork, thermoplastic, bamboo and SCS-certified particleboard educates consumers about sustainability.

Client: Whole Foods Market, Chicago – Christine Wiegand, Midwest Design Coordinator

Design/Architect: Heights Venture Architects LLP, Houston – Stephen A. Jovicich, partner-in-charge; Amanda Tullos, designer/LEED consultant; Thea Luong, project manager/designer

General Contractor: Osman Construction Co., Arlington Heights, Ill.

Outside Design Consultants: Clive Samuels Associates, Princeton, N.J. (engineer); Jack O'Conner, Commercial, Design Systems, Portland, Ore. (interior design and branding)

Lighting: Western Extralite, Maryland Heights, Mo.

Millwork: Capital Wood Products, St. Paul, Minn.

Materials: Fireclay Tile, San Jose, Calif.; Purebond, Portland, Ore.; Marmoleum, Hazleton, Penn.; 3-Form, Salt Lake City; ICI Paints, Strongsville, Ohio; Ozinga, Chicago; Eurostone, Chicago; Retroplate, Provo, Utah; Georgia Pacific, Atlanta; Natural Cork, Chicago

Photography: Advanced Technologies Inc., Houston, and Heights Venture Architects LLP, Houston