Helios House facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Helios House
Helios House in 2008
General information
Type	Gasoline service station
Architectural style	Green
Location	Pico-Robertson
Address	8770 W. Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90035
Town or city	Los Angeles
Country	United States
Coordinates	34°03′33″N 118°23′00″W / 34.059260°N 118.383319°W / 34.059260; -118.383319
Current tenants	Speedway Express
Opened	2007; 18 years ago (2007)
Technical details
Material	Recycled stainless steel and wood
Floor count	1
Design and construction
Architecture firm	Office dA & Johnston Marklee

Helios House in 2007

The Helios House is a special gas station located in Los Angeles, California. It sits on Olympic Boulevard. This station is famous for its "green" design, which means it's built to be good for the environment. Many people call it the "station of the future." It was the first gas station in the world to be considered for LEED certification, a special award for eco-friendly buildings.

The Helios House was designed by architects from Office dA and Johnston Marklee. They were hired to completely rethink what a gas station could be. Their main goal was to create a station that was much more environmentally friendly than traditional ones.

The station's roof is very unique. It's made of triangles from recycled stainless steel and has cacti growing on it. It also features 90 solar panels. These panels help the station use 16% less energy. The roof also collects rainwater, which is then used to water the plants, saving precious water. This amazing station was built in 2007.

It first sold BP branded gasoline. Around 2009, it switched to ARCO. As of 2025, it operates as a Speedway Express station. Speedway Express is part of the Speedway chain, which is now owned by Seven & I Holdings, the same company that owns 7-Eleven.

Helios House: A Green Gas Station

What Makes Helios House Special?

The Helios House is packed with features that help protect our planet. It uses smart design and technology to save energy and water. It also encourages recycling.

Smart Design Choices

• The station is built with materials that can be recycled again and again, like stainless steel.
• Its outer walls use "farmed wood," which comes from trees grown specifically for building.
• The landscaping around the station helps reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the air.
• The roof has grass planted on it. This helps keep the building cooler in summer and warmer in winter, so less heating or cooling is needed.
• A special system collects rainwater. This water is used for watering plants and for other needs at the station.
• A "catch basin" stops dirty runoff water from flowing into the ocean.
• The paint used inside is "LOW-VOC," meaning it has fewer harmful chemicals.
• All the signs are made from recycled materials.

Saving Energy

• The lights under the canopy use much less energy than lights at regular gas stations.
• The entire station uses LED lighting. These lights use very little energy but still provide bright light.
• The roof has 90 solar panels. These panels can create enough electricity for 2 to 3 average homes.
• Special sensors and timers adjust the lighting based on the time of day and how much natural light is available.

Eco-Friendly Restrooms

• The restroom walls are made from farmed wood and fast-growing bamboo.
• Lights in the restrooms turn on and off with motion sensors. This saves energy when no one is using them.
• The sinks are made from recycled aluminum shavings.
• The floor tiles are made from recycled glass.
• Faucets use less water and turn off automatically. This prevents water waste.

Recycling and Reusing

• The station provides bins for recycling paper, cans, bottles, and even old cell phones.
• All maintenance is done using recycled and eco-friendly cleaning products.
• Old materials from the construction were either reused or recycled.