An idea just grew on this condo crowd

With 776 condos in the Philadelphian, sometimes it seemed as if there were 776 different opinions.

But its transformation into one of the city's greenest multifamily buildings took place nevertheless, culminating in the completion of its green roof this week.

How did it happen?

Ask Joan Batory, chair of the condo's green task force, and the founder of the city's Green Condominium Initiative, an independent group that wants to spur the greening of all Philadelphia's condos.

It began in 2007. The Philadelphian had been built in the early 1960s, and improvements were needed. Some of the residents wanted a $25 million upgrade that would include new energy-efficient windows, new heating and air-conditioning units.

The proposal "created quite an uproar," Batory recalled. But that first year, the Philadelphian saved $700,000 in energy costs, she said, inspiring even more change. A core group showed Al Gore's eco-movie, An Inconvenient Truth, to a packed room of residents, many of whom signed up to research ways to make a difference.

"We have a lot of really intelligent and well-educated people in this building. They brought their skills forth," Batory said.

The residents began saving water and watching their energy use. They created a recycling program. The building now has a 20-yard compactor in its loading dock that is filled weekly. The condos recycle an average of 183 tons a year.

Through other programs, they recycle electronics, appliances, clothing, cellphones, household goods and printer cartridges.

"The awareness here is extraordinary. It's all been done through continuing education and acceptance," Batory said.

So when it came time for the roof, supporters faced nothing like the battle of 2007.

"We're constantly using words like progressive, cutting edge, sustainable," Batory said. "We're pitching the fact that we want to be the greenest residential building in the city."

- Sandy Bauers