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
Urban Planning | Apr 12, 2023
Watch: Trends in urban design for 2023, with James Corner Field Operations
Isabel Castilla, a Principal Designer with the landscape architecture firm James Corner Field Operations, discusses recent changes in clients' priorities about urban design, with a focus on her firm's recent projects.
3D Printing | Apr 11, 2023
University of Michigan’s DART Laboratory unveils Shell Wall—a concrete wall that’s lightweight and freeform 3D printed
The University of Michigan’s DART Laboratory has unveiled a new product called Shell Wall—which the organization describes as the first lightweight, freeform 3D printed and structurally reinforced concrete wall. The innovative product leverages DART Laboratory’s research and development on the use of 3D-printing technology to build structures that require less concrete.
Market Data | Apr 11, 2023
Construction crane count reaches all-time high in Q1 2023
Toronto, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Denver top the list of U.S/Canadian cities with the greatest number of fixed cranes on construction sites, according to Rider Levett Bucknall's RLB Crane Index for North America for Q1 2023.
University Buildings | Apr 11, 2023
Supersizing higher education: Tracking the rise of mega buildings on university campuses
Mega buildings on higher education campuses aren’t unusual. But what has been different lately is the sheer number of supersized projects that have been in the works over the last 12–15 months.
Architects | Apr 10, 2023
Bill Hellmuth, FAIA, Chairman and CEO of HOK, dies at 69
William (Bill) Hellmuth, FAIA, the Chairman and CEO of HOK, passed away on April 6, 2023, after a long illness. Hellmuth designed dozens of award-winning buildings across the globe, including the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Headquarters and the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.
Contractors | Apr 10, 2023
What makes prefabrication work? Factors every construction project should consider
There are many factors requiring careful consideration when determining whether a project is a good fit for prefabrication. JE Dunn’s Brian Burkett breaks down the most important considerations.
Mixed-Use | Apr 7, 2023
New Nashville mixed-use high-rise features curved, stepped massing and wellness focus
Construction recently started on 5 City Blvd, a new 15-story office and mixed-use building in Nashville, Tenn. Located on a uniquely shaped site, the 730,000-sf structure features curved, stepped massing and amenities with a focus on wellness.
Smart Buildings | Apr 7, 2023
Carnegie Mellon University's research on advanced building sensors provokes heated controversy
A research project to test next-generation building sensors at Carnegie Mellon University provoked intense debate over the privacy implications of widespread deployment of the devices in a new 90,000-sf building. The light-switch-size devices, capable of measuring 12 types of data including motion and sound, were mounted in more than 300 locations throughout the building.
Affordable Housing | Apr 7, 2023
Florida’s affordable housing law expected to fuel multifamily residential projects
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed into law affordable housing legislation that includes $711 million for housing programs and tax breaks for developers. The new law will supersede local governments’ zoning, density, and height requirements.
Energy Efficiency | Apr 7, 2023
Department of Energy makes $1 billion available for states, local governments to upgrade building codes
The U.S. Department of Energy is offering funding to help state and local governments upgrade their building codes to boost energy efficiency. The funding will support improved building codes that reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency, according to DOE.
