1. Energy Efficiency, Renewables,
and Green Building in
HOME Housing Programs
Lihbin Shiao,
Consultant Project Manager
Resources for Community Development
Oxford Plaza/David Brower Center
2200 Oxford Street, Berkeley, CA
San Jose Workshop
June 10, 2008
2. RCD Greenbuilding Strategy
• Priority – Measures resulting in beneficial
outcomes to residents
– Indoor Air Quality
– Energy & Utility cost savings
– Smart growth also promotes access to resources
– Durable finishes
– Access to natural resources
• Secondarily – Sustainable building practices
– Reduce impact of construction on environment
3. Sustainable Development and
Green Building
USGBC
Shinsei Gardens
LEED for Homes
Oxford Plaza and David Brower Center Fox Courts
Los Medanos Village
Northgate Apartments
Breakers at Bayport
4. Typical RCD Green Features
Bioswales
Steel Framing
Infill Sites
Photovoltaic Panels
Formaldehyde Free Cabinets
Brownfield Remediation
& Insulation
Recycled Rainwater for Irrigation
Native Plant Landscaping
Recycled Content Carpet
Energy Star Appliances and Light Fixtures
Natural Linoleum High Content Slag in Concrete
5. Overview of Oxford Plaza
& Retail Case Study
• 97 units of affordable housing –
30% - 60% AMI + PBS8
• 8,500 sq ft ground floor retail
• Co-located with the David Brower
Center – 50,000 sq ft including
non-profit office space, a theatre,
art gallery, and Back to Earth
sustainable restaurant
• Co-located with a City parking
garage
6. Green Building Measures
Smart Growth Principles
• High Density Development
(97 units / acre for total site, 143.7
units/acre for the housing parcel)
• Transit Oriented, Urban Infill
Development
Reduction of Construction Waste
• 75% of total project construction and
demolition waste diverted from
landfill
7. Energy Efficiency
• Solar thermal hot water system on the roof for heating
and hot water
• Radiant hydronic in slab system for heating
• Exceeds Title 24 standards for energy efficiency by more
than 15%
• Energy Star appliances and energy efficient lighting
tttthroughout
• Awnings on south facing windows which reduce the
tttneed for summertime cooling and wintertimetheating
8. Recycled Content & Indoor Air Quality
• Use of recycled-content building materials
• CRI “Green Label” rated carpets throughout units and
linoleum floors in kitchens;
• Mechanically assisted ventilation
• Low VOC paints and no VOC adhesives
9. Resource Conservation
• High content slag concrete to
reduce use of portland cement, CO2
emissions, and water
• Low flow toilets and showers
• 80% California Native and
Mediterranean Species (climate
appropriate) or edible plant
landscaping that require little
summer watering, once established
• Planting grouped in hydrozones
and are watered through a high-
efficiency irrigation system, e.g. drip
line irrigation
10. Resource Conservation
• All metal framing (28%
recycled content) which
results in minimizing
use of wood in the
project.
• Rainwater will be
collected from Oxford
Plaza and directed to a
cistern in the Brower
Center when there is
capacity in the cistern
• Durable finishes and
cabinets with longer
useful life
11. Challenges in Implementation of
Green Measures
• New technologies - trial and error &
additional cost & time
– Slag concrete
– Metal framing
– Radiant tubing
• Financing
– Increased cost per unit
– Capturing savings through utility allowances
to fund energy efficient measures
• Other priorities for resources
12. Strategies to Promote Green
HOME Housing
• Eligibility for HOME Funds
• Acceptance of Increased Costs – Upfront & in Change
Orders
• Some jurisdictions give points for inexpensive rating
systems, e.g., Build It Green
