December 18, 2008 16:52 ET

Hangar 25, the World's First Solar Powered Airplane Hangar

Shangri-La Industries, LLC Launches Sustainable-Development Driven Real Estate and Construction Unit; Announces Completion of First LEED Platinum Rated Aviation Hangar

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - December 18, 2008) - Shangri-La Construction, a newly formed business unit of Shangri-La Industries, announced it has completed Hangar 25, the world's first solar powered airplane hangar. The aviation hangar, the first to achieve Platinum certification (highest rating issued) under the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™ is being unveiled at a ceremony announcing the newly formed business unit and the completion of the hangar at the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California.

The sustainable technology and design innovations featured in Hangar 25 can be transferred to many commercial and industrial buildings such as offices, warehouses, schools, and shopping centers.

Seven key features of Hangar 25 that contributed to securing the platinum certification include:

-- Solar powered roof system that provides 110% of Hangar 25's power needs in both the aircraft maintenance and office areas of the building

-- HI-Fog fire suppression system, a water-based chemical free approach that suffocates fires

-- Use of oversized fans and evaporative "swamp coolers" to maintain indoor temperatures vs. use of traditional HVAC system

-- Building designed to bring in natural lighting through roof panels and windows, combined with a reflective diamond-polished concrete floor that reduces need to turn on light fixtures during daylight hours

-- The diamond polished concrete floor is sealed through polishing process that lasts 25 years eliminating the need to reapply epoxy sealants that emit toxins and close the hangar facility for several days

-- Use of low-emitting building materials and furnishing, as well as recycled building products

-- Major water use reductions are accomplished through low-water plumbing fixtures, native desert plant landscaping and no-mow, no-water Synlawn grass.

To see a video of the hangar go to: http://www.yourupdate.tv/socialresponsibility/solar_powered_airplane_hangar.html