Energy Efficiency, Renewables, and Green Building in

HOME Housing Programs

San Jose WorkshopJune 10, 2008

Resources for Community DevelopmentOxford Plaza/David Brower Center2200 Oxford Street, Berkeley, CA

Lihbin Shiao, Consultant Project Manager

RCD Greenbuilding Strategy

• Priority – Measures resulting in beneficial outcomes to residents– Indoor Air Quality– Energy & Utility cost savings– Smart growth also promotes access to resources– Durable finishes– Access to natural resources

• Secondarily – Sustainable building practices– Reduce impact of construction on environment

Sustainable Development and Green Building

Shinsei Gardens

Northgate Apartments

Fox CourtsOxford Plaza and David Brower Center

Breakers at Bayport

Los Medanos Village

USGBC LEED for Homes

Typical RCD Green Features

Recycled Content Carpet

Formaldehyde Free Cabinets & Insulation

High Content Slag in Concrete

Native Plant Landscaping

Bioswales

Brownfield Remediation

Recycled Rainwater for Irrigation

Natural Linoleum

Energy Star Appliances and Light Fixtures

Photovoltaic Panels

Steel Framing

Infill Sites

Overview of Oxford Plaza & Retail Case Study

• 97 units of affordable housing –30% - 60% AMI + PBS8

• 8,500 sq ft ground floor retail• Co-located with the David Brower

Center – 50,000 sq ft including non-profit office space, a theatre, art gallery, and Back to Earth sustainable restaurant

• Co-located with a City parking garage

Green Building Measures

• High Density Development (97 units / acre for total site, 143.7 units/acre for the housing parcel)

• Transit Oriented, Urban Infill Development

Reduction of Construction Waste• 75% of total project construction and

demolition waste diverted from landfill

Smart Growth Principles

Energy Efficiency• Solar thermal hot water system on the roof for heating

and hot water• Radiant hydronic in slab system for heating • Exceeds Title 24 standards for energy efficiency by more

than 15%• Energy Star appliances and energy efficient lighting tttthroughout• Awnings on south facing windows which reduce the tttneed for summertime cooling and wintertimetheating

Recycled Content & Indoor Air Quality• Use of recycled-content building materials • CRI “Green Label” rated carpets throughout units and

linoleum floors in kitchens;• Mechanically assisted ventilation

• Low VOC paints and no VOC adhesives

• High content slag concrete to reduce use of portland cement, CO2emissions, and water

• Low flow toilets and showers• 80% California Native and

Mediterranean Species (climate appropriate) or edible plant landscaping that require little summer watering, once established

• Planting grouped in hydrozones and are watered through a high-efficiency irrigation system, e.g. drip line irrigation

Resource Conservation

Resource Conservation• All metal framing (28% recycled content) which results in minimizing use of wood in the project. • Rainwater will be collected from Oxford Plaza and directed to a cistern in the Brower Center when there is capacity in the cistern• Durable finishes and cabinets with longer useful life

Challenges in Implementation of Green Measures

• New technologies - trial and error & additional cost & time– Slag concrete– Metal framing– Radiant tubing

• Financing– Increased cost per unit– Capturing savings through utility allowances

to fund energy efficient measures• Other priorities for resources

Strategies to Promote Green HOME Housing

• Eligibility for HOME Funds• Acceptance of Increased Costs – Upfront & in Change

Orders• Some jurisdictions give points for inexpensive rating

systems, e.g., Build It Green