Living EmPower House, which is set to be the first zero-carbon, replicable, and equitable multifamily development designed for transactive energy, recently was awarded a $9 million Next EPIC Grant Construction Loan from the State of California.
The award will be combined with an additional $5 million in matching funds from the California Energy Commission. Design firm Studio One Eleven, which will design the project, secured a $1 million EPIC Grant for the research phase last year.
The mixed-use/mixed income development features two buildings that include office, retail, daycare, and 238 homes composed of 20% market-rate and 80% affordable units. The design includes a solar array capable of generating 1.39 gigawatt-hours annually and a 2.5 MWh battery storage system for energy independence.
The project in downtown Santa Ana, Calif., is located near multiple amenities. “The project uses cutting-edge energy technologies, tools and construction practices that will allow it to be affordable, equitable, emissions-free, and resilient to climate change impacts and extreme weather events,” according to a news release.
“This project is a replicable example for mixed-use development in the future, which is so crucial especially today when the US power grid is under such stress,” said Michael Bohn, AIA, partner and design director, Studio One Eleven.
The development is described as “prosumer”—a proactive energy consumer that can control the amount of energy consumed via a custom application.
Related Stories
Green | Nov 29, 2015
Leadership or limbo: Moving to building green’s next level
After interviewing more than 50 AEC firms for our Greenbuild Report in the November issue, I wonder if the sustainability movement has hit a wall in the nonresidential construction sector.
Green | Nov 23, 2015
Top 10 green building products for 2016
A hybrid urinal, ventless dryer, and a chair made of mushroom roots are among the new green products to make BuildingGreen's annual list.
Green | Nov 23, 2015
Green construction doubling every three years
Clients and tenants increasingly value sustainability.
Green | Nov 23, 2015
Copenhagen designer offers assembly kit for a two-story hydroponic urban farm
Founders of Human Habitat believe their Impact Farm could grow up to six tons of produce per year.
Sponsored | Green | Nov 20, 2015
A century-old furniture factory gets a living wall biofilter for better air
During renovations, the team integrated the biofilter into the new HVAC system to provide clean air directly to the offices
Green | Nov 19, 2015
USGBC names 2016 board of directors and advisory council
New governance structure will have two leadership bodies.
BIM and Information Technology | Nov 18, 2015
AIA: Energy modeling key to reaching carbon neutrality in buildings
Energy modeling allows architects to be more ambitious with energy-saving in their design projects.
Green | Nov 18, 2015
Green Seal expands standard for paints, coatings, stains, and finishes
This new edition of GS-11 includes floor coatings, concrete and masonry sealers, and fire resistive coatings, in addition to the paints, primers, anti-corrosive coatings, and reflective coatings previously covered.
Green | Nov 17, 2015
DOE launches new data collaborative to help cities and states boost building efficiency
The SEED Standard will help manage, standardize, share performance data.
Mixed-Use | Nov 16, 2015
Italian architect designs vertical forest with prefab units by BuroHappold
Cantilevered planters will host cedar trees and other plants hundreds of feet above ground.
