Driving past Olympic on Robertson in Beverly Hills, there are probably two things going through your head.  What is that space-age building on the corner, and why isn’t George Jetson flying in and out of it?  Well, wonder no more.  That shiny, silver building that makes like a LACMA sculpture is actually BP’s Helios House.  And it is the first eco-friendly gas station in the city of Los Angeles.

Now, I know what you’re thinking.  How could a gas station really, truly be eco-friendly?  Well, I urge you to adopt the “lesser of two evils” mentality.  We still have to drive cars around the city, so we still have to fill up at the pump.  So why not do it at a place that is at least attempting to reduce its carbon footprint? 

And besides, Helios House is neat.  Driving up to this Beverly Hills station, you’ll immediately notice the silver, sculptural effect of the structure.  But it’s not just about the aesthetics.  Helios House is LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) by the U.S. Green Building Council.  It is a self-service station that only serves unleaded gasoline.

So what are its green deets?  A convenient map, (printed on recycled paper,) takes you through the station.  According to BP, Helios House uses 16 percent less electricity than a traditional gas station.  There are 90 solar panels in the building’s canopy that produce the amount of annual energy needed to power two to three average American homes.  There is 100% recycled glass mixed into the concrete, and rainwater is collected in the canopy that is reused for the onsite landscaping irrigation. 

Driving past Olympic on Robertson in Beverly Hills, there are probably two things going through your head.  What is that space-age building on the corner, and why isn’t George Jetson flying in and out of it?  Well, wonder no more.  That shiny, silver building that makes like a LACMA sculpture is actually BP’s Helios House.  And it is the first eco-friendly gas station in the city of Los Angeles.

Now, I know what you’re thinking.  How could a gas station really, truly be eco-friendly?  Well, I urge you to adopt the “lesser of two evils” mentality.  We still have to drive cars around the city, so we still have to fill up at the pump.  So why not do it at a place that is at least attempting to reduce its carbon footprint? 

And besides, Helios House is neat.  Driving up to this Beverly Hills station, you’ll immediately notice the silver, sculptural effect of the structure.  But it’s not just about the aesthetics.  Helios House is LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) by the U.S. Green Building Council.  It is a self-service station that only serves unleaded gasoline.

So what are its green deets?  A convenient map, (printed on recycled paper,) takes you through the station.  According to BP, Helios House uses 16 percent less electricity than a traditional gas station.  There are 90 solar panels in the building’s canopy that produce the amount of annual energy needed to power two to three average American homes.  There is 100% recycled glass mixed into the concrete, and rainwater is collected in the canopy that is reused for the onsite landscaping irrigation. 

And the list goes on.  The outbuilding bathrooms are made of farm-raised, renewable bamboo, recycled glass tile, recycled aluminum shavings, and motion-sensor LED lights.  The facets are low volume with shut-off sensors to prevent water waste.  They even have a green roof made of local plants and grass, which reduces the need for mechanical heating or cooling. 

Kiosks next to the gas pumps offer up eco-tidbits, (printed on recycled paper, natch).  The one I picked up informed me that “The 62 or so synthetic cleaning products found in the average American home equals 10 gallons of harmful chemicals.”  Even the gas pump screens showcase animated shorts detailing how you can help the earth. 

And best of all?  The gas is cheaper than a lot of other stations you will find.  (This fact is the result of my own completely unscientific study of stalking the cheapest gas stations in Los Angeles.  Nonetheless, it seems to be true.)  So next time you’re in Beverly Hills and need to get gas, don’t hesitate to stop by this eco-friendly location.  Just be careful.  You might actually enjoy filling up.