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Bullet Good Neighbors: Affordable Family Housing

Gallery of High Quality Affordable Housing

AIA Green Communities LEED-H
Community Context     Section Mandatory/
Optional		 Section Points
1. Encourage infill and avoid greenfield (undeveloped land) development 2 M LL2, LL3 2*
    * avoid environmentally sensitive sites and farmland
  • infill parcel 2.1a,2.1c O LL3 1
  • urban renewal areas NA NA LL3 up to 2
  • mixed-use developments 2.1 M* NA --
  Among the mandatory choices "Locate projects in areas that promote mixed-use…"  
  • adaptive reuse 2.1b O LL1 NA
  • compact development 2.2, 2.5 M LL5 up to 3
  • brownfields 2.4b O LL1 NA
2. Locate near public transportation if available or request that it be extended to or near your development 2.7 M* LL1 1
  * Proximity to services is Mandatory  
3. Use existing grid system of streets 2.1a M* LL1 1*
      * Locate projects on sites with access to existing roads… * select a site that is within 1/2 mile of water service lines, sewer service lines, and paved roads.
4. Landscaping        
  • plant selection 4.2 M SS2 M
  • efficient irrigation system 4.3 M WE2 up to 5
  • minimize heat island effect 6.4a,b O SS3 1
Site Design        
1. Public Open Spaces        
  • play areas for children 2.1* NA 4.3* O
      Both GCI and LEED recognize access to play areas in the community, rather than the specific inclusion of a play area within the project.
  • community garden areas NA NA NA NA
2. Semi-Public Open Spaces        
  • use patios, front yards NA NA NA NA
3. Provide for alternative transportation        
  • bike paths, pedestrian links, car shares 2.3 M LL4 O
4. Provide accessible routes of travel and avoid use of stairs, wherever the terrain permits NA NA NA NA
5. Prioritize pedestrian over vehicular traffic        
  • use traffic calming devices 2.3 M* NA NA
  * Traffic-calming devices are listed as a potential strategy for creating walkable neighborhoods    
  • incorporate attractive well-lit pedestrian paths 2.3* NA NA NA
  *Walkable neighborhoods requires pedestrian paths, aesthetics and lighting are not specifically adressed    
6. Consider outdoor spaces for urban agriculture        
  • community gardens, planters for food NA NA NA NA
7. Consider Internet connectivity for telecommuting NA NA NA NA
Building Design        
1. Provide a well-insulated building that minimizes heat gain and loss 5.1 M EA1 M
2. Specify energy-efficient windows 5.1 M EA1 M
3. Orient building for passive heat gain and cooling/natural ventilation 2.4a O NA NA
  • Provide shading devices, operable windows, shutters, and thermal mass 2.4a O NA NA
4. Provide daylighting. Minimize glazing on east and especially west exposures to reduce heat gain 5.3 M* NA NA
  *Install daylight sensors on all outdoor lighting    
5. Build cool roofs which provide low heat absorption        
  • high reflectivity roof assembly or green roofs 6.4a O MR 5.2 0.5
6. Incorporate universal design principles, and child-friendly and senior-friendly design NA NA NA NA
7. Meet or exceed your local requirements for accessible and special needs housing NA NA NA NA
Water Conservation and Management        
1. Make sure water meters are installed and that there is owner/tenant accountability in water use NA NA NA NA
2. Use water-saving strategies        
  • dual-flush toilets 4.1* M WE3.2 2
  *1.6 gallons-per-flush (gpf) toilets or better  
  • looped domestic water system with recirculating pump NA NA EA7 3
3. Recycle gray water (rain water collection or bath water recapture)        
  • use in landscaping 4.3 M* WE1 1
  *Irrigation with captured rain water is one option to comply with Efficient Irrigation  
  • use in toilet flushing if local code allows NA NA WE 1.1,1.2 1
  • If your locality uses tertiary wastewater for irrigation, request a hook up for large landscape areas NA NA NA NA
4. Storm water management 6.3 O SS4.1, SS4.2 M, up to 5
Energy Efficiency        
1. Assure that electric and gas meters are installed and that there is accountability by owner or tenant for use 5.4 M* NA NA
  * Electricity meters are mandatory, gas meters are not    
2. Use low-energy use heating strategies        
  • use properly sized and designed sealed combustion boilers or furnaces and distribution systems or other low-energy use heating strategy 5.1 M* EA6 Up to 3
  *Properly sized equipment is required by Energy Star.  
3. Water heaters        
  • use tankless water heaters, indirect water heaters, sealed combustion water heaters, or solar hot water heaters 7.8 M EA7.2 Up to 3
4. Lighting        
  • specify compact fluorescent fixtures 5.3 M* EA8.1 1
  *Energy Star lighting fixtures are required    
5. Educate tenants about their energy savings 8.1 M HA1 M
6. Provide collection for spent bulbs to be disposed of properly NA NA NA NA
7. Avoid or minimize air-conditioning with natural ventilation or other passive cooling strategy 2.4a O NA NA
8. Consider renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics (or pre-wire to be added when feasible) using research grants and rebates 5.6 O EA10 Up to 6
Reduced and Sustainable Material Use        
1. Use fewer building materials through advanced framing techniques or other systems approach to building construction. NA NA MR2.2 Up to 2
2. Use recycled content        
  • High fly ash content concrete in foundations, flat work, wall systems, finish floors 6.1 O MR3 0.5
  • Cementitious siding, or stucco with high fly ash content 6.1 O   0.5
  • Composite framing such as engineered joists instead of dimensional lumber 6.1 O MR3 0.5
  • Light-gauge steel in whole house or interior walls. 6.1 O MR3 0.5
  • Rapidly renewable resource materials for flooring and finishes such as wheat straw board and bamboo 6.1 O MR3 0.5
  • Specify insulation made of renewable, easily recyclable material or recycled content such as recycled newspaper (cellulose), soy based foam, cotton fiber, or other 6.1 O MR3 0.5
3. Use locally available (within 500 miles) building materials NA NA MR3 0.5
  • locally produced masonry or other earthen system NA NA MR3 0.5
  • recycled lumber or locally milled timber or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified lumber or other recycled material 6.2 O MR3 0.5
  • recycled aggregate from demolition of existing site 6.2 O MR3 0.5
Recycling During and Post Occupancy        
1. Reduction and Management of Construction Waste        
  • reuse form-boards, mulch waste wood on-site NA NA MR6 0.5
  • sort construction waste and recycle applicable materials NA NA MR6 0.5
  • salvage reusable materials NA NA MR6 0.5
2. Recycling of User Waste        
  • mulch yard waste on site NA NA MR6 0.5
  • provide recycling bins NA NA NA NA
Indoor Environmental Quality—Healthy Buildings        
1. Detail building envelope to shed water        
  • adequate flashing and a continuous drainage plane (rain-screen) 7.12 M MR4.1 M
2. Design walls to be able to dry to the interior, exterior, or both as appropriate to the local climate. NA NA MR4B Up to 5 depending precipitation rate
3. Take advantage of natural cross-ventilation when possible.        
  • operable windows with screens NA* NA NA NA
  * Passive cooling is addressed in 2.4a    
4. Provide mechanical ventilation to remove excess moisture and indoor pollutants from living spaces and to provide an adequate amount of outside air 7.5 M IEQ3 1
7.6 M IEQ4 Up to 3
IEQ5 Up to 2
5. Specify sealed combustion boilers, furnaces, and water heaters 7.7, 7.8 M* IEQ2 M
  * Both 7.7 and 7.8 mention the use of selaed combustion equipment    
6. Low volatile organic compound (VOC)        
  • low VOC paints, sealants, and finishes 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 M MR5  
7. Use paperless gypsum board or cement board at all damp areas and exterior walls to prevent mold due to water penetration. 7.10 M NA* NA
      If complying with IEQ1, Energy Star IAQ Package, paper covered gyspum board is required to be raised 1/2" above concrete slabs
8. Install flooring with low or no off-gassing        
  • concrete, ceramic tile, FSC certified wood flooring, or bamboo with low urea formaldehyde content in its binders 7.3, 7.4 M IEQ1 10*
      *Energy Star IAQ adresses materials.
9. Minimize the use of carpeting, which can hold dirt, mold, and other allergens. 7.4 M NA NA
10. Install carbon monoxide detectors in living areas as well as garages 7.13 M* IEQ1 10*
*CO detectors are mandatory in garages *Energy Star IAQ requires CO monitors in homes with combustion appliances.
  IEQ2.1 M*
  *IF HVAC and DHW combustion equipment are inside the home, CO monitors are required
  IEQ10.2 M*
  * CO monitors are requried in any occupied rooms above the garage.
11. Perform fresh air flushing for a week before occupancy. NA NA NA NA
12. Educate tenants or owners by providing user manuals on use of systems and required maintenance 8.1 M HA1 M
13. Protect onsite building materials from rain during construction to prevent mold growth NA NA IEQ2.1 M*
      * Energy Star IAQ requires protection of building materials.
14. Design wall and ceiling assemblies to mitigate impact sound and air-born sound transmission between units NA NA NA NA
Quality Assurance/Commissioning: Third-Party Confirmation That All Systems are Functioning As Intended and Ongoing Maintenance        
1. Perform blower door tests for leaks in building envelope 5.1 M* EA1.1 M
  * Blower door test is part of Energy Star compliance * Blower door test is part of Energy Star compliance
2. Perform duct testing if ducts are used in heating and or cooling system 5.1 M* EA1.1 M
  * Duct testing is part of Energy Star compliance * Blower door test is part of Energy Star compliance
3. Calibrate thermostat, carbon monoxide detectors, and any other similar systems NA NA    
4. Generally confirm that all systems are functioning as intended and in a coordinated fashion     IE1* 10
  NA NA *Energy Star IAQ requires commissioning.
5. Have a written maintenance program in place, as part of management, for proper maintenance and functioning of the building and systems respectively 8.1 M HA1 1
         
Innovative Design Strategies        
1. Educational programs about green building technology NA NA NA NA
2. Research that yields solutions to help provide green affordable housing. NA NA NA NA

Cobb Hill - Hartland, VT          Green Features

Cobb Hill is a Vermont based affordable and equitable housing community for 20 to 25 families. The goal of Cobb Hill was to create an environmentally sound community with an emphasis on preserving the surrounding agriculture and organic farms. The project consisted of meticulous restoration of two defunct farms with careful site planning in order to maintain the agricultural land. A barn and farmhouse were also preserved to be utilized as an office space for the non-profit Sustainability Institute, and to promote community uses among residents.

Consultants, biologists and contractors were all part of an integrated design process. During development, particular attention was made to climate and micro-climate, solar access, hydrology, geology and habitat. The site for Cobb Hill was selected for its rich soil, southern exposure and proximity to other cities.

The Cobb Hill plan consists of cluster co-housing on four acres of a sloping pasture. The architects planned for parking and pedestrian friendly zones while still preserving 250 acres of agricultural field.

Cobb Hill consists of 14 new buildings, including seven single family houses, five duplexes, one shared house and a common house with three apartments. The homes are scattered around a hillside village green. A one-lane road runs up the hill to the north of Cobb Hill. Parking is located away from the homes, in order to minimize the presence of cars and ensure safety. The sloping paths at Cobb Hill are designed to allow wheelchair access to residents.

Homes are generally modest in square footage. Sizes range from 400 square feet apartments to 1400 square feet four bedroom homes. The community common house is approximately 3200 square feet on the main floor. All the buildings at Cobb Hill are oriented for sun tempering, natural ventilation, picturesque views and community interaction. The building massing allows for buffering, winter solar gains and summer shading. Maintenance is simplified by basic building form, metal roofs, vented siding, concrete foundations, water resistant detailing and fiberglass framed windows.

All buildings have advanced water conservation features, such as composting toilets. Grey water is collected and dispersed through a leach field at the foot of the hill. The leach field area was minimized in order to appropriately use the land. Cobb Hill utilizes less than the designated gallons of water per day that the state of Vermont requires. Rainwater is also collected for irrigating the gardens and parts of the farm.

Cobb Hill is a five star Energy Star rated facility and has been awarded two ‘Excellence in Design’ awards from Efficiency Vermont. Most roofs are designed to accommodate photovoltaic installations as well. A central wood boiler with hydronic district distribution heats the homes and provides hot water. Three energy efficient gas boilers are available for backup heat. Several of the homes have solar hot water heating. In addition, a communal wood fired heating system with solar panels contributes to the renewable heat. Residents and consultants gather data and track the overall performance of Cobb Hill.

The materials used to construct Cobb Hill include fly ash in the concrete foundations, 7” walls framed with “I” studs, certified lumber and dens–pak cellulose insulation. Local wood is used for siding, cabinets and flooring. The exteriors at Cobb Hill are designed with either shingle or vertical shiplap siding and all buildings have standing seam metal roofs. All building materials were actively recycled by the contractor. The community at Cobb Hill composts and recycling bins are located throughout the facility. All the paints and stains used have low VOC content. Low energy fans are used to ventilate the composting toilets and bathrooms and kitchens are also vented on demand.

Lessons Learned from the architect -

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Jury Comments:

  • Great preservation of agricultural facility, it increases the density but preserves the farmland. This model could potentially help control regional sprawl.
  • The design is a fascinating cluster development on a working farm
  • Is this ultimately really affordable?