ULX August 09

36 U r b an La nD a u g u s t 2 0 0 9

ulx r o n n y r e n

Residential Green

Ten multifamily housing

developments give high-

density living an even

greener spin.

Multifamily housing is intrinsi-cally green, making more efficient use of land and infrastructure, lowering individual energy bills with less heat loss per unit, and requiring fewer building materi-als per unit. With renters and homebuyers becoming more cost-conscious in the current economic climate and more aware of envi-ronmental issues, developments

sited close to public transit and fitted with design measures that lower energy and water bills have an additional edge over their con-ventional counterparts.

Being close to neighborhood-serving retail as well as pedestrian- and bike-friendly environments are essential as well to allow residents to reduce their reliance on cars. One of the challenges ahead is to

mainstream the incorporation of significant green building strategies into all multifamily developments, not mainly those aimed at the luxury market or at the affordable housing sector.

Ron nyRen is a freelance architecture and urban design writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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1. Accordia HousingCambriDge,engLanD,UniteDKingDom

Close to Cambridge’s city center, a site formerly occupied by dilapidated, single-story 1940s-era government office buildings is being converted for high-density living. Feilden Clegg Bradley Stu-dios of Bath, England, master planned the 23.5-acre (9.5-ha) site for developer Countryside Properties of Brentwood, Essex, Eng-land, and designed the majority of the buildings, which altogether include 378 residential units in a variety of building types, includ-ing apartment blocks, rowhouses, and semidetached homes.

The design preserved more than 700 mature trees, with resi-dences overlooking a variety of shared green spaces linked by

bicycle and pedestrian paths. Each unit has dedicated bicycle parking, and the project is close to public transit and the city center. Precast concrete construction provides high thermal mass, supplemented by significant insulation to cut energy costs. Whenever possible, timber used in construction came from sources certified by the Bonn, Germany–based Forest Stewardship Council. Green roofs, permeable paving, swales, and reed beds enhance stormwater retention and filtration. The first phase was completed in 2006.

UL Aug 09 ULX.indd 36 8/11/09 1:13:24 PM


ulx r o n n y r e n

Residential Green

Ten multifamily housing

developments give high-

density living an even

greener spin.

Multifamily housing is intrinsi-cally green, making more efficient use of land and infrastructure, lowering individual energy bills with less heat loss per unit, and requiring fewer building materi-als per unit. With renters and homebuyers becoming more cost-conscious in the current economic climate and more aware of envi-ronmental issues, developments

sited close to public transit and fitted with design measures that lower energy and water bills have an additional edge over their con-ventional counterparts.

Being close to neighborhood-serving retail as well as pedestrian- and bike-friendly environments are essential as well to allow residents to reduce their reliance on cars. One of the challenges ahead is to

mainstream the incorporation of significant green building strategies into all multifamily developments, not mainly those aimed at the luxury market or at the affordable housing sector.

Ron nyRen is a freelance architecture and urban design writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Tim

Cr

oC

ke

r

1. Accordia HousingCambriDge,engLanD,UniteDKingDom

Close to Cambridge’s city center, a site formerly occupied by dilapidated, single-story 1940s-era government office buildings is being converted for high-density living. Feilden Clegg Bradley Stu-dios of Bath, England, master planned the 23.5-acre (9.5-ha) site for developer Countryside Properties of Brentwood, Essex, Eng-land, and designed the majority of the buildings, which altogether include 378 residential units in a variety of building types, includ-ing apartment blocks, rowhouses, and semidetached homes.

The design preserved more than 700 mature trees, with resi-dences overlooking a variety of shared green spaces linked by

bicycle and pedestrian paths. Each unit has dedicated bicycle parking, and the project is close to public transit and the city center. Precast concrete construction provides high thermal mass, supplemented by significant insulation to cut energy costs. Whenever possible, timber used in construction came from sources certified by the Bonn, Germany–based Forest Stewardship Council. Green roofs, permeable paving, swales, and reed beds enhance stormwater retention and filtration. The first phase was completed in 2006.

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a u g u s t 2 0 0 9 U r ban La nD 37

2. Carabanchel 19maDriD,Spain

As a way to accommodate Madrid’s fast-growing population—fueled by economic growth and an influx of immigrants—the city’s housing authority, Empresa Munici-pal de la Vivienda y Suelo, has been pairing foreign architecture firms with local ones to bring fresh thinking to high-density public housing. In Madrid’s Carabanchel suburb, Sheppard Robson of London teamed up with ACP Arquitectos of Madrid to design the 107-unit Carabanchel 19. The five- and six-story blocks are organized around three courtyards that maximize natural light and contain landscaping and pools of water that cool the air.

A screen of white aluminum louvers wraps the entire exterior, providing protec-tion from solar heat gain and wind. For individual control of their environment, residents can adjust louvers above the balustrade level of their balconies. Con-crete frame-and-slab construction and insulated walls work in combination with extra-thick roofs to moderate temperatures. Rooftop solar thermal panels heat the building’s water. The project was completed in 2006.

4. EllevenLoSangeLeS,CaLifornia

A few blocks from the Staples Center, the 13-story Elleven includes 176 studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom lofts and penthouse units as well as nine two-story live/work townhomes. Designed by Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects of Portland, Oregon, and completed in 2006, Elleven received Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system for sustainable measures, such as operable floor-to-ceiling windows for natural ventilation and daylight, water-saving fixtures and landscaping, odorless paint, and other low-emitting materi-als and finishes.

Residents received memberships in a car-sharing program and have access to on-site bicycle parking. The base of the building offers ground-floor retail as well as gardens, paseos, plazas, and water features. Elleven is one of a trio of LEED-certified condominiums completed in the South Park neighbor-hood in recent years by local developer South Group.

3. Cave Avenue Homesbanff,aLberta,CanaDa

The 19-unit cooperative housing of Cave Avenue takes cues from the natural landscape. Located in downtown Banff, the Cave Avenue Homes project fol-lows the site’s sloping topography, and the rooflines echo the distant moun-tain peaks. The layout preserves an existing wildlife trail, while vegetated roofs and native landscaping further help the structures blend in.

Thickly insulated walls, highly insulated and oversized windows, and heat-recovery ventilators enable each home to rely solely on a high-efficiency gas fireplace for warmth in winter. Rainwater is collected for reuse in toilet flushing and site irrigation. Parking is tucked underground. Completed in 2005 for local developer Arctos & Bird Enterprises, Cave Avenue was designed by William McDonough + Partners of Charlottesville, Virginia, with IBI Group Architects of Calgary as architect of record. The homes are paired with the mixed-use Bison Courtyard at Bear Street, which includes retail and restaurant space as well as residences and was completed a year later for the same developer.

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ulx5. Gish Family ApartmentsSanJoSe,CaLifornia

The Gish Family Apartments project addresses two challenges: the high cost of housing in the Bay Area and the scarcity of family housing in urban areas. The 35 units include efficiencies as well as two- and three-bedroom apartments, all renting to households earning between 35 and 50 percent of the area median income. Thirteen units are reserved for resi-dents with developmental disabilities. The building includes a computer center for residents as well as a ground-floor convenience store and beauty salon. Residents receive a free transit pass.

The redevelopment of a former gas station site, the building includes rooftop photovoltaics; low-flow water fixtures; low-emitting adhesives, paints, and sealants; and highly insulated windows and walls. Designed by the Office of Jerome King, a local architecture firm, for local nonprofit developer First Community Housing, the Gish Family Apartments were completed in 2007 and received LEED Gold certification.

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6. Intervale Greenbronx,newyorK

In the Bronx’s Charlotte Gardens Urban Renewal Area, the local nonprofit organization Women’s Housing & Economic Development Corporation has cleaned up a long-vacant brownfield and built 128 units of housing for households earning 60 percent of the area median income. Because of the high asthma rate in the neighborhood, improving air quality was a concern: interiors make use of low-emitting adhesives, paints, and sealants and formaldehyde-free particleboard, while green roofs, two landscaped courtyards, and more than 40 new street trees remove carbon dioxide from the air and soak up rainwater.

Other sustainable measures include low-flow water fixtures, high-efficiency water boilers, and high-recycled-content flooring. Marble and Italian porcelain tile was diverted from the landfill and donated for use throughout. Designed by Edel-man Sultan Knox Wood Architects of New York City, Intervale Green incorporates elements such as red brick, decorative cornices, and ironwork that reflect the architectural traditions of the Bronx. The ground floor comprises commercial storefronts, while a public sculpture garden displays work by local artists.

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ulx5. Gish Family ApartmentsSanJoSe,CaLifornia

The Gish Family Apartments project addresses two challenges: the high cost of housing in the Bay Area and the scarcity of family housing in urban areas. The 35 units include efficiencies as well as two- and three-bedroom apartments, all renting to households earning between 35 and 50 percent of the area median income. Thirteen units are reserved for resi-dents with developmental disabilities. The building includes a computer center for residents as well as a ground-floor convenience store and beauty salon. Residents receive a free transit pass.

The redevelopment of a former gas station site, the building includes rooftop photovoltaics; low-flow water fixtures; low-emitting adhesives, paints, and sealants; and highly insulated windows and walls. Designed by the Office of Jerome King, a local architecture firm, for local nonprofit developer First Community Housing, the Gish Family Apartments were completed in 2007 and received LEED Gold certification.

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6. Intervale Greenbronx,newyorK

In the Bronx’s Charlotte Gardens Urban Renewal Area, the local nonprofit organization Women’s Housing & Economic Development Corporation has cleaned up a long-vacant brownfield and built 128 units of housing for households earning 60 percent of the area median income. Because of the high asthma rate in the neighborhood, improving air quality was a concern: interiors make use of low-emitting adhesives, paints, and sealants and formaldehyde-free particleboard, while green roofs, two landscaped courtyards, and more than 40 new street trees remove carbon dioxide from the air and soak up rainwater.

Other sustainable measures include low-flow water fixtures, high-efficiency water boilers, and high-recycled-content flooring. Marble and Italian porcelain tile was diverted from the landfill and donated for use throughout. Designed by Edel-man Sultan Knox Wood Architects of New York City, Intervale Green incorporates elements such as red brick, decorative cornices, and ironwork that reflect the architectural traditions of the Bronx. The ground floor comprises commercial storefronts, while a public sculpture garden displays work by local artists.

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8. RiverClayDenver,CoLoraDo

Making solar power more affordable to home-buyers is a continuing challenge. Buyers of con-dominiums at RiverClay in Denver, Colorado, were able to take advantage of not only federal solar tax credits and utility rebates, but also a mortgage that includes the cost of each unit’s share of the photovoltaic system of 30 rooftop 1.26-kilowatt solar modules. Completed in 2008 for Zocalo Development of Denver and designed by John Gagnon of Samuel Engineering in Greenwood Vil-lage, Colorado, the six-story, 60-unit RiverClay proj-ect is located across from a seven-acre (2-ha) park a couple of blocks north of Invesco Field stadium. Nine of the condos are earmarked for households earning 80 percent of the area median income.

RiverClay has been awarded LEED Silver certifica-tion for features such as water-efficient fixtures, reflective roofing to reduce solar heat gain, a high-efficiency mechanical system, highly insulated low-emission glass, and high levels of building insulation. Close to mass transit, RiverClay provides numerous bicycle parking spaces as well as a com-munity bicycle maintenance facility.

7. Pine Ridge TownhomesKetChUm,iDaho

To blend into the surrounding neighborhood of single-family and multifamily housing, the Pine Ridge Town-homes development consists of two- and three-story structures designed to resemble large single-family homes in their massing. They are arranged around a central open space to enhance views and daylight penetration into the living areas, with a water feature, barbecue pavilion, and play area. Completed in 2006, Pine Ridge includes 32 units: 19 are for-sale market-rate units and 13 are deed-restricted community housing units for households earn-ing 80 percent of the regional median income.

Window placement, overhang design, and building orientation are intended to maximize heat gain during cold months. Solar tubes bring sunlight into kitchens, bathrooms, and internal circulation areas. Other sustain-able strategies include radiant heat; nontoxic adhesives, cabinets, paints, and stains; high levels of insulation; and native, drought-tolerant landscaping. Close to public transit, the site’s pedestrian and bike paths connect to a county bicycle path network. Living Architecture designed the townhomes for developer Thunder Spring LLC; both are based in Ketchum.

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8. RiverClayDenver,CoLoraDo

Making solar power more affordable to home-buyers is a continuing challenge. Buyers of con-dominiums at RiverClay in Denver, Colorado, were able to take advantage of not only federal solar tax credits and utility rebates, but also a mortgage that includes the cost of each unit’s share of the photovoltaic system of 30 rooftop 1.26-kilowatt solar modules. Completed in 2008 for Zocalo Development of Denver and designed by John Gagnon of Samuel Engineering in Greenwood Vil-lage, Colorado, the six-story, 60-unit RiverClay proj-ect is located across from a seven-acre (2-ha) park a couple of blocks north of Invesco Field stadium. Nine of the condos are earmarked for households earning 80 percent of the area median income.

RiverClay has been awarded LEED Silver certifica-tion for features such as water-efficient fixtures, reflective roofing to reduce solar heat gain, a high-efficiency mechanical system, highly insulated low-emission glass, and high levels of building insulation. Close to mass transit, RiverClay provides numerous bicycle parking spaces as well as a com-munity bicycle maintenance facility.

7. Pine Ridge TownhomesKetChUm,iDaho

To blend into the surrounding neighborhood of single-family and multifamily housing, the Pine Ridge Town-homes development consists of two- and three-story structures designed to resemble large single-family homes in their massing. They are arranged around a central open space to enhance views and daylight penetration into the living areas, with a water feature, barbecue pavilion, and play area. Completed in 2006, Pine Ridge includes 32 units: 19 are for-sale market-rate units and 13 are deed-restricted community housing units for households earn-ing 80 percent of the regional median income.

Window placement, overhang design, and building orientation are intended to maximize heat gain during cold months. Solar tubes bring sunlight into kitchens, bathrooms, and internal circulation areas. Other sustain-able strategies include radiant heat; nontoxic adhesives, cabinets, paints, and stains; high levels of insulation; and native, drought-tolerant landscaping. Close to public transit, the site’s pedestrian and bike paths connect to a county bicycle path network. Living Architecture designed the townhomes for developer Thunder Spring LLC; both are based in Ketchum.

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ulx9. Thin FlatsphiLaDeLphia,pennSyLvania

Located among the rowhouses of Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties neighborhood, close to downtown, the Thin Flats live up to their name: each of the eight two-story duplexes, stacked in pairs, is only 18 feet (5.5 m) wide. Facing the street, the complex presents a double facade: a rhythmic composition of glass and metal panels punc-tuated with openings stands three feet (1 m) in front of the inner facade, providing shade and a sense of unity.

The top of the building supports both a green roof and solar thermal panels for heating the building’s water. A stormwater collection system brings water into a cistern for use in irrigation. Inside, the concrete floors are equipped with radiant heating. Skylights, open internal layouts, and interior glass walls and staircases allow natural light to penetrate throughout. Materials were sourced from providers within a five-mile (8-km) range. The creation of local development/design/build collective Onion Flats LLC and its architectural firm com-ponent Plumbob LLC, Thin Flats was completed in 2008 and is awaiting LEED Platinum certification.

10. Vento ResidencesCaLgary,aLberta,CanaDa

Part of the city’s master-planned redevelopment of a former hospital site into an urban village, the Vento Residences are located along an exist-ing commercial corridor, a short walk from light-rail and bus lines. The three-story structure includes 20 two-story townhouses organized around a sec-ond-floor courtyard, with ground-level commercial space and two affordable housing suites for households earning 65 percent of the median income.

Completed in 2006, the building reduces energy costs by relying on a highly insulated exterior envelope, radiant floor heating and heat recovery ventilators in each unit, and extensive use of daylighting. The structure forgoes mechanical cooling. A graywater recycling system collects 100 percent of rainwater from the roof and courtyard as well as water from sinks and showers for reuse in toilet flushing and site irrigation. Designed by Busby Perkins + Will of Vancouver, British Columbia, for Windmill Development Group of Ottawa, Ontario, the Vento Residences project has achieved a LEED-Canada Platinum rating. UL

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ulx9. Thin FlatsphiLaDeLphia,pennSyLvania

Located among the rowhouses of Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties neighborhood, close to downtown, the Thin Flats live up to their name: each of the eight two-story duplexes, stacked in pairs, is only 18 feet (5.5 m) wide. Facing the street, the complex presents a double facade: a rhythmic composition of glass and metal panels punc-tuated with openings stands three feet (1 m) in front of the inner facade, providing shade and a sense of unity.

The top of the building supports both a green roof and solar thermal panels for heating the building’s water. A stormwater collection system brings water into a cistern for use in irrigation. Inside, the concrete floors are equipped with radiant heating. Skylights, open internal layouts, and interior glass walls and staircases allow natural light to penetrate throughout. Materials were sourced from providers within a five-mile (8-km) range. The creation of local development/design/build collective Onion Flats LLC and its architectural firm com-ponent Plumbob LLC, Thin Flats was completed in 2008 and is awaiting LEED Platinum certification.

10. Vento ResidencesCaLgary,aLberta,CanaDa

Part of the city’s master-planned redevelopment of a former hospital site into an urban village, the Vento Residences are located along an exist-ing commercial corridor, a short walk from light-rail and bus lines. The three-story structure includes 20 two-story townhouses organized around a sec-ond-floor courtyard, with ground-level commercial space and two affordable housing suites for households earning 65 percent of the median income.

Completed in 2006, the building reduces energy costs by relying on a highly insulated exterior envelope, radiant floor heating and heat recovery ventilators in each unit, and extensive use of daylighting. The structure forgoes mechanical cooling. A graywater recycling system collects 100 percent of rainwater from the roof and courtyard as well as water from sinks and showers for reuse in toilet flushing and site irrigation. Designed by Busby Perkins + Will of Vancouver, British Columbia, for Windmill Development Group of Ottawa, Ontario, the Vento Residences project has achieved a LEED-Canada Platinum rating. UL

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Real Estate

ULX August 09