Case Study

Helios House

Bringing the future forward.

Industry
Energy
Stage
Enterprise

BP is one of the world’s largest investors in alternative energy. Yet despite this scale, few consumers associated the brand with progress. “Beyond Petroleum” had become more aspir...

BP is one of the world’s largest investors in alternative energy. Yet despite this scale, few consumers associated the brand with progress. “Beyond Petroleum” had become more aspiration than activation. BP didn’t just need to talk about sustainability. It needed to make it tangible.

So BP invited Brian Collins and his team to help bring its commitment to life in the real world.

The opportunity was clear: demonstrate progress, not perfection. Even a company as large and complex as BP couldn’t transform overnight. But it could take visible, credible steps that add up over time—steps that consumers could actually experience. Our strategic thesis: do a little better, a lot.

We proposed turning a single gas station into a live prototype of BP’s sustainability ambitions—a functional, real-world experiment that could scale over time. In collaboration with Office dA, we designed and built Helios House: the world’s first LEED-certified gas station, located at the intersection of Olympic and Robertson in Los Angeles.

The station is filled with what we called “little betters.”

  • A canopy of 90 solar panels generates 15,000 kWh of electricity
  • Recycled stainless steel clads the building’s surfaces
  • LED lighting cuts energy use in half
  • A rainwater collection system irrigates drought-tolerant landscaping
  • Restrooms feature green roofs and fixtures made from recycled aluminum

Every design choice is both functional and symbolic—serving the public while signaling a new kind of energy future.

To ensure the effort wouldn’t go unnoticed, we designed an onsite communication program that made the sustainability story simple and clear for everyday visitors—no corporate jargon required.

Helios House became a public-facing proof point of BP’s strategic ambitions. It recouped its investment in half the projected time. It was recognized by the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum for its contribution to American architecture. And it was awarded both a Cannes Lion and Clio Titanium for innovation in environmental design.

Team
Ogilvy & MatherChuck RudyChristian CervantasDavid HarlanOffice dABovisRadical MediaBrian Collins

Impact

100%

Investment Recouped

Helios House recouped 100% of its investment in half the projected time.

Reduced Energy and Waste

Cut lighting energy use by 50%, recycled all structural steel and implemented solar and water harvesting systems on-site.

Elevated Perception through Design

Earned prestigious recognition from Cooper Hewitt and Cannes, shifting perception of BP from fuel supplier to design-driven innovator.

Advanced Strategic Narrative

Helped articulate the BP CEOs sustainability strategy with credibility—transforming “Beyond Petroleum” from ad slogan into a real-world prototype.

90

Number of Solar Panels

A prominent canopy was covered with 90 solar panels that generated a significant portion of the station's electricity.

1st

First Leed-Certified Gas Station

Turned a single Los Angeles station into the world’s first LEED-certified gas station and an architectural landmark.