Benedictine Women in Wisconsin win award for greenest new building in U.S. Monastery features geothermal heating , photovoltaic panels , specially designed windows . `` So there 's absolutely no blinds , shades , or draperies in the building because the glass is the thing that transmits the light , but eliminates the glare , yet grabs the solar heat gains . '' It is expected to save at least 60 % on energy costs alone . Hoffman LLC designed and built monastery at a cost of just over $ 7.5 million .
Benedictine Women in Wisconsin win award for greenest new building in U.S. Monastery features geothermal heating , photovoltaic panels , specially designed windows . It is expected to save at least 60 % on energy costs alone . Hoffman LLC designed and built monastery at a cost of just over $ 7.5 million .