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News ArticleSustainable & Affordable: Housing Project Goes for the Gold! Southern Sierran - August 2002 Colorado Court, an affordable apartment building opened this summer by the Community Corporation of Santa Monica, sets a new standard for sustainability and affordability. Striving for a Gold rating under the LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) green building rating system, the project incorporates on-site energy generation, energy efficiency, a storm water retention system, environmentally friendly indoor finishes and low rents. An excellent example of "smart growth," the 44 studio apartments offer desperately needed affordable housing in a desirable location in downtown Santa Monica. Not only is bus service and shopping around the corner, but bike racks and bike storage areas are also on site. From the street the most distinctive feature of the building are the iridescent blue solar panels wrapping the south- and west-facing stairs. Electricity is generated on the premises by a combination of the solar panels and a micro-turbine fueled by natural gas, which meets about 92% of the project’s demand for electricity with the remaining 8% coming from the grid. “Waste heat” resulting from the operation of micro-turbine is used to produce hot water for the units. The hot water is in turn used to “power” a radiant-type heater in each of the units and to provide hot water for sinks and showers. The units are kept cool with a combination of three measures: 1) window placement that minimizes direct sun, yet allows breezes to pass through; 2) double-paned windows that minimize heat pass-through from the sun; and 3) blown-in insulation (made from recycled material). Water is conserved though drought-tolerant landscaping with drip irrigation. Water runoff from the site is directed away from the street and into dry wells to replenish groundwater aquifers. Green materials were used for indoor finishes. Kitchen flooring is linoleum made the old-fashioned way with cork flour, wood flour, jute and linseed oil. Cabinets are made from formaldehyde-free fiberboard. Carpets are made from recycled material. An estimated three quarters of the construction waste was diverted from landfills and recycled. May Colorado Court be an inspiration for other builders to go for the gold! |
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