The husband and wife team of Liz Miranda and Tim Rempel started Greenpads LLC in 2005, and 5th STREETpads is their first project. Matter of fact, this six-unit multifamily development received a slew of awards, including the 2006 Build It Green Award + 2006 Design Advocates Design Award for Multi-family Development. 5th STREETpads has six, 2-3 floor townhomes that vary in size from 1360-1640 sf. The development is a great example of comfortable, lower-impact living as a result of building up, not out. Here are some of the green features: Borrego solar system that provides up to 85% of each unit’s electricity; hydronic radiant floor heating with floor-to-floor thermostat control; blown-in wet cellulose and bonded logic thermal insulation; SIP panel roof system; low-VOC painting in all the units; FSC-certified Brazilian cherry flooring; large double-glazed, low-E windows and sliding doors for optimal natural lighting; skylights in all the units; green Italian laminate cabinetry; filtered water and Energy Star appliances throughout; and Toto low-flow toilets. These are incredible homes. And although some materials seem to have a heavy carbon impact due to shipping and transporting, we’re talking about a solid step in the right direction for the greening of multifamily real estate development.
Good Links:
++Greenpads LLC
++Rempel Architects
It is great to see Greenpads following one of the often overlooked green building methods that can have the greatest impact – cutting the square footage of a typical home in half and utilizing efficient design. Nice find.