Seattle’s mayor recently proposed that the city scale back a scheduled revamping of its building energy code to help boost housing production.
The proposal would halt an update to the city’s multifamily and commercial building energy code that is scheduled to take effect later this year. The mayor’s plan goes against a trend in recent years in which the city has adopted a more stringent energy code than the statewide standard. The state, in turn, had followed the city’s lead and boosted its energy code standards.
The mayor is proposing that Seattle use the 2021 Washington State Energy Code, which took effect a few weeks ago elsewhere in the state. There could be some Seattle-specific changes, as well.
The mayor’s plan would eliminate a new requirement that at least 20% of a new building’s glazing be constructed of high-performance material—typically triple glazing units. It would also address HVAC, as the advanced mechanical systems that the city is set to require are harder to maintain, adding significant costs.
Related Stories
Student Housing | May 1, 2024
Pfluger Architects unveils renovated student lounges at all-girls dormitory
In a step toward updating and modernizing on-campus housing to attract a range of students, Texas-based Pfluger Architects renovated the student lounges in Kinsolving Hall, a five-story, all-girls dormitory at The University of Texas at Austin initially built in 1958.
MFPRO+ News | Apr 29, 2024
World’s largest 3D printer could create entire neighborhoods
The University of Maine recently unveiled the world’s largest 3D printer said to be able to create entire neighborhoods. The machine is four times larger than a preceding model that was first tested in 2019. The older model was used to create a 600 sf single-family home made of recyclable wood fiber and bio-resin materials.
Adaptive Reuse | Apr 29, 2024
6 characteristics of a successful adaptive reuse conversion
In the continuous battle against housing shortages and the surplus of vacant buildings, developers are turning their attention to the viability of adaptive reuse for their properties.
Senior Living Design | Apr 24, 2024
Nation's largest Passive House senior living facility completed in Portland, Ore.
Construction of Parkview, a high-rise expansion of a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Portland, Ore., completed recently. The senior living facility is touted as the largest Passive House structure on the West Coast, and the largest Passive House senior living building in the country.
Student Housing | Apr 23, 2024
Student Quarters selected to manage 502-bed student housing community
Student Quarters, a leading student housing owner and management company, announces the newest addition to its portfolio: The Armory Sam Houston Apartments.
MFPRO+ News | Apr 18, 2024
Marquette Companies forms alliance with Orion Residential Advisors
Marquette Companies, a national leader in multifamily development, investment, and management, announces its strategic alliance with Deerfield, Ill.-based Orion Residential Advisors, an integrated multifamily investment and operating firm active in multiple markets nationwide.
Student Housing | Apr 17, 2024
Student housing partnership gives residents free mental health support
Text-based mental health support app Counslr has partnered with Aptitude Development to provide free mental health support to residents of student housing locations.
MFPRO+ News | Apr 15, 2024
Two multifamily management firms merge together
MEB Management Services, a Phoenix-based multifamily management company, and Weller Management, a third-party property management and consulting company, officially merged to become Bryten Real Estate Partners—creating a nationally recognized management company.
