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
| Sep 3, 2019
Top 10 indoor amenities in multifamily developments for 2019
In-unit washer/dryer heads our ranking of the top indoor amenities in multifamily housing developments.
AEC Innovators | Aug 27, 2019
7 AEC industry disruptors and their groundbreaking achievements
From building prefab factories in the sky to incubating the next generation of AEC tech startups, our 2019 class of AEC Innovators demonstrates that the industry is poised for a shakeup. Meet BD+C’s 2019 AEC Innovators.
AEC Tech | Aug 25, 2019
Deluxe parking: A condo building in Philadelphia offers its owners a completely automated parking service
This is the first “palletless” system that Westfalia Technologies has installed.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 22, 2019
40-story residential tower to rise near Seattle’s Pike Place Market
Hewitt architects is designing the project.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 19, 2019
Affordable, senior development rises in the Bronx
RKTB Architects is designing the project.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 19, 2019
Top 10 outdoor amenities in multifamily housing for 2019
Top 10 results in the “Outdoor Amenities” category in our Multifamily Design+Construction Amenities Survey 2019.
Market Data | Aug 19, 2019
Multifamily market sustains positive cycle
Year-over-year growth tops 3% for 13th month. Will the economy stifle momentum?
Giants 400 | Aug 15, 2019
Top 140 Multifamily Sector Architecture Firms for 2019
Humphreys & Partners, KTGY, SCB, CallisonRTKL, and Perkins Eastman top the rankings of the nation's largest multifamily sector architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 12, 2019
Multifamily Amenities 2019: Rethinking the $30,000 cup of coffee
What amenities are “must-have” rather than “nice to have” for the local market? Which amenities will attract the renters or buyers you’re targeting? The 2019 Multifamily Amenities Survey measured 113 amenity choices.
| Aug 9, 2019
Whirlpool Debuts Smart All-In-One Washer and Dryer
Whirlpool washer and dryer in one machine can provide laundering solutions in apartments with limited space.