Multifamily developers are bullish on the sector, with FMI’s Construction Outlook Report predicting 25% growth next year on top of this year’s blistering 36% pace. From a sustainability standpoint, much of the most interesting work is clustered at the ends of the bell curve, in both the luxury and affordable categories.
A singular high-end example is the zHome project, a 10-unit attached townhouse development in Issaquah Highlands, Wash. Designed by David Vandervort Architects, zHome is the nation’s first net-zero multifamily project, as certified this year by the International Living Future Institute. The property also achieved Living Building Challenge Petal Recognition in the Energy, Equity, and Beauty categories, and has earned the WaterSense for New Homes label (another first for the sector).
Though not “luxury” per se, the contemporary one-, two-, and three-bedroom units launched at relatively high prices for the market, topping out at $625,000. Nevertheless the homes, which range from 800 to 1,750 sf, have all been sold, except one unit reserved as a Stewardship Center for educational outreach.
The zHome dream survived a rocky history, including the 2008 economic crash and a succession of three contractors. Ultimately built by Howland Homes and Ichijo USA in collaboration with the City of Issaquah, the project includes super-insulated envelope technology, ground-source heating, and generous deployment of PV, which covers large, south-facing roof planes.
PHOTO: AARON OSTROWSKY
Water strategies should cut average usage by at least 60% through a combination of drought-tolerant landscaping, high-efficiency plumbing and laundry equipment, and use of cistern-stored rainwater for toilet flushing and clothes washing.
Brad Liljequist—zHome’s project manager, now a Technical Director for the International Living Future Institute—spread the net-zero gospel in a series of blogs for Dwell magazine. He lists micro heat pumps, better industrial design (for instance, more beautiful wall-mounted heating/cooling units), safer building materials, and deep green retrofits as priorities for further progress in the sector.
“We are undergoing a revolution in building performance, driven mainly from a grassroots, local, and regional community,” he said. “We can change, fundamentally and quickly.”
Related Stories
Healthcare Facilities | Jun 14, 2023
Design considerations for behavioral health patients
The surrounding environment plays a huge role in the mental state of the occupants of a space, especially behavioral health patients whose perception of safety can be heightened. When patients do not feel comfortable in a space, the relationships between patients and therapists are negatively affected.
Engineers | Jun 14, 2023
The high cost of low maintenance
Walter P Moore’s Javier Balma, PhD, PE, SE, and Webb Wright, PE, identify the primary causes of engineering failures, define proactive versus reactive maintenance, recognize the reasons for deferred maintenance, and identify the financial and safety risks related to deferred maintenance.
University Buildings | Jun 14, 2023
Calif. State University’s new ‘library-plus’ building bridges upper and lower campuses
A three-story “library-plus” building at California State University, East Bay (CSUEB) that ties together the upper and lower campuses was recently completed. The 100,977-sf facility, known as the Collaborative Opportunities for Research & Engagement (“CORE”) Building, is one of the busiest libraries in the CSU system. The previous library served 1.2 million visitors annually.
Higher Education | Jun 14, 2023
Designing higher education facilities without knowing the end users
A team of architects with Page offers five important factors to consider when designing spaces for multiple—and potentially changing—stakeholders.
Resiliency | Jun 14, 2023
HUD offers $4.8 billion in funding for green and resilient building retrofit projects
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently released guidelines for its Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) that has $4.8 billion for funding green projects.
Arenas | Jun 14, 2023
A multipurpose arena helps revitalize a historic African American community in Georgia
In Savannah, Ga., Enmarket Arena, a multipurpose arena that opened last year, has helped revitalize the city’s historic Canal District—home to a largely African American community that has been historically separated from the rest of downtown.
Building Materials | Jun 14, 2023
Construction input prices fall 0.6% in May 2023
Construction input prices fell 0.6% in May compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices declined 0.5% for the month.
Mass Timber | Jun 13, 2023
Mass timber construction featured in two-story mixed-use art gallery and wine bar in Silicon Valley
The Edes Building, a two-story art gallery and wine bar in the Silicon Valley community of Morgan Hill, will prominently feature mass timber. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam posts and beams were specified for aesthetics, biophilic properties, and a reduced carbon footprint compared to concrete and steel alternatives.
Mixed-Use | Jun 12, 2023
Goettsch Partners completes its largest China project to date: a mixed-used, five-tower complex
Chicago-based global architecture firm Goettsch Partners (GP) recently announced the completion of its largest project in China to date: the China Resources Qianhai Center, a mixed-use complex in the Qianhai district of Shenzhen. Developed by CR Land, the project includes five towers totaling almost 472,000 square meters (4.6 million sf).
Engineers | Jun 12, 2023
Stantec to acquire Environmental Systems Design
Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, has signed an agreement to acquire Environmental Systems Design, Inc. (ESD), a 270-person engineering firm headquartered in Chicago. Founded in 1967, ESD has built a reputation for excellence and innovation in high-performance design with a roster of industry-leading clients. The terms of the transaction are not disclosed.
