The Smiley Building: Forty-five thousand square feet, and one of the most sustainable structures that you’re likely to encounter ... anywhere. Built in 1936 as Durango’s middle school, the building fell into disuse and disrepair in the ’90s. Bought by brothers John and Charles and Charles’ wife, Lisa, in 1997, the Smiley has become the neighborhood commune for housing Durango’s artists, architects, designers, Montesorri schools, martial arts stuios, dancers, weekly news rags ... the list of tenants goes on and on. Being on the forefront of green building, the Smiley utilizes various high-tech conservation features such as an 80 kw photovoltaic system, 14 ground source heat pumps, LED and CFL lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures, ultra efficient boilers  and, of course, lots of bike racks. Here’s a look:

• 

  Owner and green guru, Charles Shaw, takes a stroll through the building’s basement shop. “This is where the magic happens,” he explains.

• 

  A roof-top atrium thrives with flora and fauna.

• 

  This “el capitan” of photovoltaic solar systems sits atop the Smiley Building, providing 100 percent of building’s year-round electricity. The excess goes back to the grid.

• 

  The micro-boiler setup that helps heat the entire 45,000-square-foot building.

• 

  Durango Montessori students enjoy recess in the building’s posh “back yard.”

• 

  A sign above a home-welded car-shaped bike rack