Before: The corner of Olympic and Robertson in Los Angeles is the site chosen for a new kind of gas station. The team re-envisions this station as a living laboratory where green technologies and new customer experiences can be tested for use in other gas stations.

People only stop for gas because they have to – strike one in an unpleasant chore. The team’s mission was to completely reinvent this American service station experience.

The transformation begins behind construction screens. As the new station grew, so did the “grass” turning the daily drive-by experience into anticipation.

Six months later, the grass grows and covers the billboards.

The soaring canopy with its thousands of triangles was inspired by California roadside architecture. Its skin is embedded with 90 solar panels that produce 15,000 kWh of electricity to power the station, cut costs and reduce annual CO2 emissions by 2½ tons.

The architects invented a gutter system that collects rainwater to irrigate the plants around the station. The restroom annex is covered with a green roof of living plants, which reduces the need for heating and cooling. Recycling systems are evident everywhere.

The design team called for recyclable stainless steel cladding to give the station a futuristic appeal with a purpose. The cladding also acts as a reflector, reducing overall energy consumption by 16%. LEDs under the canopy create an ever-changing light show for visitors, using 50% less energy than conventional illumination.

Gas dispensers play videos with energy-saving tips. The pumps were completely redesigned for ease of use. The team also designed training materials for station attendants to improve customers’ experience and spark dialogue about energy efficiency. A website extends the conversation.

Floor-to-ceiling tiles in restrooms are of recycled glass for easy cleaning. Lights, water, hand dryers (and even customizable music) are activated by motion sensors to minimize the need for touching surfaces. ABC News reported drivers going miles out of their way just to use the restrooms at Helios House.

The plantings around the station are drought-tolerant, reducing water use. The sinks and toilets are made of 100% recycled aluminum shavings. The forecourt is made of a recycled glass aggregate, which is easier to keep clean and sparkles like a terrazzo floor. The numbers are keyed to a map that explains ecological initiatives like these to visitors.

Detail of the map given to visitors curious for more information about the ideas behind Helios House. It highlights each sustainability protocol at the station.

The station postcards are wildly popular. The cards offer a whole curriculum of energy-saving ideas. They’re made of recycled paper and embedded with flower seeds so people can plant them when they get home.

Forward-thinking design turns used signage into useful products. Lady Bird Johnson would have loved to see the day when billboards would be recycled into thousands of free backpacks for L.A. schoolchildren.

The American gas station reconceived. For thousands of drivers, Helios House is a bright spot on the journey, and inspiring proof of innovation from a company that seeks to go “beyond petroleum.”