How NEMA Chicago specified an elastomeric wall coating to achieve LEED Silver certification and long-term façade protection.
NEMA Chicago is a 76-story residential tower situated above Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois. At the time of completion, it was the tallest residential building in Chicago. The tower offers views across South Loop, Downtown Chicago, Lake Michigan, and the surrounding parkland, and includes 12,000 square feet of retail space at its base.
From the outset, the project was designed with sustainability as a guiding principle. NEMA Chicago was built to meet LEED certification standards - a globally recognised framework for environmentally responsible building design. The project achieved LEED Silver certification, reflecting its commitment to energy efficiency, material selection, and occupant wellbeing.
The construction materials, interiors, and finishes were all selected with environmental performance in mind. To help address the urban heat island effect - a phenomenon where dense urban areas absorb and retain more heat than surrounding areas - materials were chosen that reflect rather than absorb solar heat. Paints and finishes were also selected for their low chemical content to support indoor air quality for residents and staff.
Architect Rafael Viñoly required a high level of waterproofing performance for the significant areas of exposed concrete across the building's façade. The specification called for a solution that could deliver durable weather protection without compromising the architectural vision for the tower.
SilShield 3100 silicone elastomeric coating was selected to meet this brief. Applied in white to the building's exterior, it contributes to the building's aesthetic while helping to reflect solar heat and provide long-term protection for the façade.
SilShield 3100 architectural coating is a high-solids, 100% silicone elastomeric wall coating. It forms a seamless, flexible membrane across the exterior surface, which allows it to accommodate the natural movement of a building's structure over time.
Key performance properties include:
SilShield 3100 silicone coating also offers primerless adhesion to a range of substrates and can be applied by spray, roller, or brush to vertical surfaces. It achieves rain readiness in as little as 30 minutes and can be applied across a wide temperature range - from -7°C to 49°C (20°F to 120°F) - providing flexibility for application in varied weather conditions.
NEMA Chicago was designed by architect Rafael Viñoly, with interiors by the Rockwell Group, and was developed by Crescent Heights. The coating applicator on the project was All Tech Decorating, based in Chicago.
NEMA Chicago has received a number of industry awards since completion. In 2021, the tower received the Award of Excellence in the "Best Tall Building, 200–299 Metres" category, as well as the Audience Award for "Best Tall Building, Americas" - both awarded by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. The project was also recognised with the Camme Innovative Building Design Award in 2022.
What is an elastomeric wall coating?
An elastomeric coating is a type of exterior coating that forms a flexible, rubber-like membrane when applied to a surface. Unlike standard exterior paints, elastomeric coatings are formulated to stretch and return to their original shape, allowing them to accommodate minor movement and cracking in the substrate beneath. They are commonly used on concrete, masonry, and stucco surfaces where weather protection and flexibility are priorities.
Is elastomeric coating waterproof?
Elastomeric coatings are designed to be highly water-resistant and are formulated to resist the penetration of liquid water, including wind-driven rain. They form a continuous membrane across the surface, which helps prevent moisture ingress through the wall assembly. However, the performance of any coating depends on correct surface preparation and application.
What makes a coating suitable for a LEED certified building?
LEED certification assesses buildings across a range of criteria, including the environmental impact of materials used during construction. For coatings, key factors typically include low VOC (volatile organic compound) content - which affects indoor and outdoor air quality - and, in some cases, solar reflectance properties. SilShield 3100 coating was selected in part because its low-VOC formulation aligned with the air quality goals of the NEMA Chicago project.
What is the difference between an elastomeric coating and regular exterior paint?
Standard exterior paints form a relatively rigid film on the surface when dry. Elastomeric coatings form a much thicker, more flexible membrane that can stretch without cracking. This makes elastomeric coatings more suitable for surfaces that are subject to movement, temperature-driven expansion and contraction, or where crack bridging is a requirement.
How long does an elastomeric wall coating last?
The service life of an elastomeric coating varies depending on the product, the substrate, the application quality, and the environmental conditions the building is exposed to. SilShield 3100 coatingis formulated to provide durable, long-term protection - though as with any building product, performance is dependent on correct specification, preparation, and application.
What does crack bridging mean in an exterior coating?
Crack bridging refers to a coating's ability to span minor cracks or gaps in the substrate beneath it without rupturing. Because elastomeric coatings form a flexible membrane, they can stretch across small surface cracks that might otherwise allow water to penetrate the wall. This is particularly relevant on concrete or masonry facades where hairline cracking is common over time.
Can elastomeric coatings help reduce the urban heat island effect?
Light-coloured and reflective coatings can help reduce the amount of solar heat absorbed by a building's exterior surfaces. By reflecting a portion of incoming solar radiation rather than absorbing it, reflective coatings can contribute to lower surface temperatures on a building's façade. At NEMA Chicago, the white SilShield 3100 coating was one of the material choices made to help address the urban heat island effect.
What does low VOC mean, and why does it matter for buildings?
VOC stands for volatile organic compound - a category of chemicals found in many paints and coatings that can off-gas into the surrounding air. High VOC levels can affect indoor and outdoor air quality, which is why many sustainability standards, including LEED, set limits on VOC content in building materials. Choosing a low-VOC coating is particularly important in occupied buildings, where residents or staff may be present during or shortly after application.
NOTE: Performance results are those of reported accounts, and are not to be relied upon as typical or expected under any other circumstances. Performance results will vary depending upon a number of factors. Prospective customers should rely solely upon their own evaluative techniques to determine what results are attainable and optimal to their specific needs. Further note that MPM is not endorsed by or affiliated with the owner(s) of NEMA.
Construction Sealants & Coatings
In 2006, Momentive Performance Materials became the global licensee of GE-branded silicone sealants and coatings, continuing the tradition of turning advanced silicone technology into practical construction solutions. Today, we continue to deliver silicone products trusted worldwide for building envelope applications, including roof coatings, air and water barriers, architectural coatings, weather sealing, structural glazing, and insulating glass.
Connect with our silicones for building specialists for expert advice tailored to your needs, or discuss your project with a local sales representative today to discover the best solutions and insights.
Our document center has a comprehensive range of product information, technical documentation, certification, brochures and sell sheets, alongside relevant product case studies and more.
Explore our DocumentationStay in the loop with exclusive industry insights, product news, webinars and events.
