You probably heard about the new Passive House Alliance and the election of Sam Hagerman, Hammer & Hand, as president of the alliance.  This company is behind some impressive green projects, including an interesting home renovation in Portland.  Zack Semke, Director of Evangelism and Evolution at Hammer & Hand, said Twin Studios tells a “unique Portland story of micro-community-renewal and ‘upcycling’ of a marginal structure into a beautiful, low-impact, green duplex.”

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Perhaps the most noticeable aspect of Sierra Bonita, an affordable housing development in West Hollywood, is the facade-integrated solar array that powers most of the peak load electricity demand for the common areas.  The building also has a solar-powered hot water heating system, but beneath the clearly visible green technology is a modern building with apartments fully adaptable for its disabled residents.

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The Modules at TempleTown is an impressive project. It embodies what many in the industry believe to be the benefits of off-site fabrication: waste reduction, speedy construction, and cost savings. Designed by Interface Studio Architects, The Modules is a student apartment building in a double-H shape specifically designed to allow natural lighting in all of the rental units.

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Belles Townhomes, a new residential project in the Presidio, recently took home LEED Platinum certification, according to a press release by LivingHomes.  Designed by KieranTimberlake, the seven-unit multifamily community will open for leasing later this year.  Belles Townhomes overlooks shared green space and was developed by Forest City in partnership with The Presidio Trust.

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This project, The Belmont Apartments, is the first apartment community in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to receive LEED Silver, according to UDR, Inc., a multifamily REIT that developed the project.  Located at 2500 Bennett Avenue, Belmont has 464 units in five buildings.  Since its opening, interest from the community has been higher than expected — likely driven by the combination of green aspects and modern design. 

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This is Casa Dominguez, a new multifamily development in Los Angeles County.  It’s actually the first LEED Platinum multifamily project in the county, according to non-profit developer and architecture firm Abode Communities.  Located in East Rancho Dominguez, the project features a blend of one- to four-bedroom green apartments suited for low-income families.

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