Helios House
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Architect: Office dA; Johnston Marklee; BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group
Completed: 2007

Although it sounds like an oxymoron, Helios House in Los Angeles is perhaps the world's first 'green gas station'.

Built in the site of an existing - and less environmentally friendly - gas station, Helios House was incorporates 'up-cycled' materials and new sustainable materials, making it the first gas station in the United States to be submitted for LEED certification.

The station's roof is composed of triangles made from recycled stainless steel and contains cacti and 90 solar panels. This reduces the energy consumption of the station by 16 per cent. The station's roof is drought tolerant and collects water for irrigation.