Each year, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recognizes leading projects and developers in the residential green building space. This year marks the 15th annual LEED Homes Awards, where recipients fall into the categories of Outstanding Single Family Projects, Outstanding Multifamily Projects, Outstanding Affordable Projects, Outstanding Developer, Project of the Year, and LEED Power Builders.
The 2023 LEED Homes Awards winners in the multifamily space represent green, LEED-certified buildings designed to provide clean indoor air and reduced energy consumption. Here are the three outstanding multifamily and three outstanding affordable projects:
Outstanding Multifamily Projects
The George
San Francisco, Calif. (LEED Silver)
The George exemplifies sustainability, community, and health and wellness. Built on the mission of cultural celebration, community development, and economic and racial justice, SoMa celebrates the pride and people of generations of Filipinos throughout the city through area landmarks, businesses and nonprofit organizations.
![Multifamily high-rise exterior in city](/sites/default/files/inline-images/usgbc_26341071%20edit.jpg)
Zero Place
New Paltz, N.Y. (LEED Platinum)
Zero Place is a groundbreaking project that showcases the potential of using existing technology to bring net zero energy to multifamily buildings. The project was designed from the ground up to maximize energy efficiency and generate all of its required energy on-site.
![Solar panels on rooftop of multifamily building](/sites/default/files/inline-images/02-ZeroPlace.jpg)
University of California, Riverside North District
Riverside, Calif. (LEED Gold)
North District serves as the home away from home for more than 1,500 students. The project features a mix of affordable one-, two- and four-bedroom units, accommodating students with diverse economic profiles, with pricing remaining consistent with older on-campus accommodations.
![University of California, Riverside North District](/sites/default/files/inline-images/usgbc_24287349_edit.jpg)
Outstanding Affordable Projects
Orenda at Othello Square
Seattle, Wash. (LEED Gold)
Orenda authentically represents a community-centered design and supports the health and wellness of a resilient neighborhood. As a seven-story mixed-use development, Orenda achieved Gold certification under LEED Homes Multifamily Midrise. Low-flow water fixtures and the landscape palette minimize the water needed for irrigation. Attention was paid to materials to promote wellness by selecting those that minimize the off gassing of chemicals, using durable, water-resistant products, and ensuring good ventilation.
![Orenda at Othello Square exterior multifamily](/sites/default/files/inline-images/usgbc_10511422_Full.jpg)
The Creamery
Kalamazoo, Mich. (LEED Platinum)
The Creamery is part of a long-term multi-year development in partnership with the city, and it worked with the local community over many design charrette meetings to determine what best would serve the residents on this former brownfield site.
They also partnered with the Kalamazoo YMCA to boost the mixed-use space to "create Michigan's first comprehensive early childhood learning center that includes first, second, and third shift twenty-four-hour drop off day care services.
Jefferson Park Apartments
Chicago, Ill. (LEED Gold)
5150 Northwest Highway is a 75-unit, mixed-income apartment community in Jefferson Park for veterans, persons with disabilities, seniors and families that is located in a prime location for public transit and community resources.
![Modern affordable apartment lobby](/sites/default/files/inline-images/06-Jefferson.jpg)
Bonus: Outstanding Developers
AMLI Residential (United States)
TriPointe Home (Arizona)
Red Sea Global (Saudi Arabia)
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Oct 16, 2019
A new study wonders how many retiring adults will be able to afford housing
Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies focuses on growing income disparities among people 50 or older.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 14, 2019
Eleven, Minneapolis’ tallest condo tower, breaks ground
RAMSA designed the project.
| Oct 11, 2019
Tips on planning for video surveillance cameras for apartment and condominium projects
“Cameras can be part of a security program, but they’re not the security solution itself.” That’s the first thing to understand about video surveillance systems for apartment and condominium projects, according to veteran security consultant Michael Silva, CPP.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 9, 2019
Multifamily developers vs. Peloton: Round 2... Fight!
Readers and experts offer alternatives to Peloton bicycles for their apartment and condo projects.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 7, 2019
Plant Prefab and Brooks + Scarpa design scalable, multifamily kit-of-parts
It is Plant Prefab’s first multifamily system.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 3, 2019
50 Penn breaks ground in New York, will provide 218 units of affordable housing
Dattner Architects is designed the project.
Multifamily Housing | Sep 12, 2019
Meet the masters of offsite construction
Prescient combines 5D software, clever engineering, and advanced robotics to create prefabricated assemblies for apartment buildings and student housing.
Multifamily Housing | Sep 10, 2019
Carbon-neutral apartment building sets the pace for scalable affordable housing
Project Open has no carbon footprint, but the six-story, solar-powered building is already leaving its imprint on Salt Lake City’s multifamily landscape.
Multifamily Housing | Sep 4, 2019
Peloton to multifamily communities: Drop dead
Peloton will no longer sell its bikes to apartment communities.