Multifamily projects under construction or that have recently come online indicate a trend toward high-efficiency in this sector of the housing market.
Some of these projects are targeted for the luxury market; others are aimed at the affordable end of the spectrum. Low-income residents, in particular, can realize significant benefits from passive house construction.
In urban areas, those of modest means often have higher rates of asthma and other forms of lung disease. Many of their apartments lack filtered ventilation and cooling, leaving them exposed to car exhaust and other forms of air pollution as they open windows during hot weather.
Higher efficiency structures result in significant savings on energy costs. In one New York passive house multifamily project that uses a geothermal heating and cooling system, tenants pay about $10 a month, at most, for cooling. By contrast, residents in other buildings in New York can pay $100 or more per month for cooling.
Large passive house projects can offer energy savings for buildings owners of 75% to 80% in some cases.
Related Stories
| Apr 6, 2012
Flat tower green building concept the un-skycraper
A team of French designers unveil the “Flat Tower” design, a second place winner in the 2011 eVolo skyscraper competition.
| Apr 3, 2012
Johns Manville publishes 2011 Sustainability Report
Report covers JM’s long-time sustainability focus and progress towards goals.
| Apr 2, 2012
Gilbane honored for sustainability efforts in Indianapolis
Emmitt J. Bean Federal Center project team for their role in advancing sustainability in the city.
| Mar 28, 2012
Milestone reached for LEED-certified buildings?
Total number of major global green buildings now stands at 12,000.
| Mar 16, 2012
Stego embarks on HPD Pilot Program
Vapor barrier manufacturer strives to provide better green choices to designers and builders.
| Mar 12, 2012
Improving the performance of existing commercial buildings: the chemistry of sustainable construction
Retrofitting our existing commercial buildings is one of the key steps to overcoming the economic and environmental challenges we face.
| Feb 26, 2012
Alvarez-Glasman & Colvin’s Chen LEED certified
Chen works closely with property owners to ensure that their properties meet and exceed all industry standards, and also provide long-term energy savings.
| Feb 17, 2012
Tremco Inc. headquarters achieves LEED Gold certification
Changes were so extensive that the certification is for new construction and not for renovation; officially, the building is LEED-NC.
| Feb 15, 2012
Code allowance offers retailers and commercial building owners increased energy savings and reduced construction costs
Specifying air curtains as energy-saving, cost-cutting alternatives to vestibules in 3,000-square-foot buildings and larger has been a recent trend among consulting engineers and architects.
| Jan 9, 2012
Thornton Tomasetti acquires green consulting firm Fore Solutions
International engineering firm launches new building sustainability practice.
