LEED Platinum Project of the Year Finalists

Owen Residence
Little Rock, Arkansas | LEED Platinum | 2019 LEED Homes Awards Project of the Year
PROJECT OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
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Voting is open until 11:59 PM EST on June 29, 2020

Project of the Year Finalists
Photos courtesy of Bronx Pro Group
3365 Third Avenue | Bronx, NY

Photos courtesy of Bronx Pro Group

3365 Third Avenue is one of over a dozen buildings in Bronx Pro Group’s portfolio that support the organization’s mission “to develop quality housing that is both
affordable and sustainable with an increasing focus towards community building.”
To begin, what makes 3365 an exemplary affordable housing project includes the fact that the project is currently pursuing PHIUS+ certification in addition to earning
the LEED for Homes Multifamily Midrise Platinum certification.
As part of Bronx Pro’s goal to develop affordable housing, 3365 Third Avenue consists of 30 studio to 4-bedroom apartments for a low and moderate income population
including formerly homeless families.
Sustainable features include a robust and air-tight insulated concrete form (ICF) envelope with fiberglass triple pane windows. VRFs provide heating and cooling to
each apartment and an in-unit ERV manages the kitchen and bathroom exhaust while also providing ducted fresh air. High efficacy LED lighting is installed throughout
the building along with low flow plumbing fixtures. A rooftop solar array as well as green roof installed at residential floor terraces and high-albedo roofing elsewhere are
functional and aesthetically pleasing design features.
In addition, 3365 Third Avenue fosters a sense of community through its common spaces, such as the back courtyard and fitness room, which facilitate resident
interaction. The project supports the Bronx community at large through the Little Scholars Early Development Center, a year-round preschool, located at the base of the
building.
3365 Third Avenue builds on Bronx Pro’s previous affordable housing projects and goes beyond by synthesizing the multifaceted sustainability measures defined by
LEED for Homes Multifamily Midrise rating system with the low energy, high performance goals of the PHIUS+ program. This outstanding affordable housing project not
only raises the bar for buildings within Bronx Pro’s portfolio of projects but within the Bronx as well.
Learn more

Photo credit: Eric Staudenmaier
The Arroyo | Santa Monica, CA

Photo credit: Eric Staudenmaier

We began the project with a series of questions centered around the theme of fusing ecological and social benefit. Could we create an urban housing typology that
does as much for its neighborhood as it does for its residents? Can we make a building that builds a sense of community around a shared notion of environmental
connectivity?
The project is a 100% affordable housing project for families which has 64 dwelling units, 2 community rooms, on-site laundry, an outdoor homework patio, and an
elongated central open courtyard with a half-court basketball area. The building is located within a 5-minute walk to a train station and bus lines, 10 minutes to the
beach, and is within an active urban center. The building is five stories tall and its massing is made by two parallel bar structures, one single loaded and the other
double loaded, that run alongside the open-ended courtyard.
The open-ended courtyard strategy creates a social hub for residents, captures prevailing ocean breezes, provides daylight to all apartments, and makes the street
more pedestrian friendly. We leveraged the real earth below the courtyard to plant large shade trees creating a calm, serene, and shaded community space for
residents while also bringing a moment of native California landscape to the street.
Architecturally, we use building elements that have social, environmental, and economic impact to create the visual identity of the building. Brightly colored undersides
of sunshades and bridges visually enliven the experience of the building for residents and pedestrians alike. The sunshades also reduce solar gain and thereby reduce
energy demands on cooling systems and provide for daylighting without glare while reducing interior lighting demands. The bridges serve to make the life of the
building visually accessible to the neighborhood and create moments of encounter between residents and the neighborhood.
The construction of the project was financed with Affordable Housing Tax Credits that require use of healthy materials and finishes and were chosen with greatly
reduced volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to help keep the air within the dwelling units healthier to breathe as well as a MERV 8 filtered mechanical system.
Learn more

Photos courtesy of Sustainable Comfort, Inc.
Freedom Commons | Syracuse, NY

Photos courtesy of Sustainable Comfort, Inc.

Imagine one day a gate opens and you’re free, you have no place to live and an overwhelming pressure to acclimate to a world that struggles to understand you; add
the possibility of a family waiting on the other side, the need for income and bills already adding up. Freedom Commons was built as a place to provide a safe and
efficient space, stability and support for this very situation.
Without housing, people leaving incarceration will not access support, medical care, have a web of job opportunities, a safe place to be for not only themselves but also
their families.
This not only helps people thrive after incarceration, but also studies have shown there is a significant cost savings to the community. Mayor Ben Walsh said, “Freedom
Commons helps address a growing need in Syracuse for quality and affordable housing, coupled with resources to help formerly incarcerated residents reintegrate into
the community. This project is a shining example of the burgeoning revitalization of the South Side (Syracuse) and will serve as a beacon of hope to those seeking a
second chance.”
Freedom Commons consists of 54 total apartments with 43 affordable units designated for individuals and/or families with incomes and or below 50% of the Area Media
Income (AMI). 11 permanent supportive units designated for individuals and/or families whose income is at or below 30% of the AMI and who also have previously
experienced homelessness and criminal justice involvement. In addition, the Freedom Commons Academy provides 11 beds for temporary housing for adults returning
home from incarceration. Participant-centered, comprehensive reentry services provide education, recovery, employment, civic restoration, housing support, and case
management. The buildings include a computer lab and learning facilities, a community meeting space, laundry facilities, and a communal dining area.
Learn more

Photo credits: Greg Premru Photography Inc;
Madore Photography, LLC
GPD 346 Highland | Weston, MA

Photo credits: Greg Premru Photography Inc;
Madore Photography, LLC

346 Highland was conceived as a demonstration to show that luxury and sustainability are compatible. We preserved this historic 1897 farmhouse through a gut rehab,
re-using most of the existing structure while expanding it harmoniously in New England vernacular style. The design had to appear organic and natural on the site,
satisfy the town’s Historical Commission guidelines, be beautiful and high quality, and meet the lifestyle expectations of contemporary families. Through a combination
of design, materials, and technology, we achieved these goals while creating an efficient and healthy home that earned numerous certifications, most notably LEED
Platinum®.
The house is located in a desirable commuter suburb just west of Boston known for its expansive (and expensive) large homes. From the outset, this renovation was
envisioned as a way to preserve a classic New England home - sustainably. Over 94% of all demo and construction waste material was diverted from landfill, including
over 13 tons of interior fixtures, appliances, and building materials salvaged for building re-use. The lawns are a locally-produced hybrid grass which requires minimal
water and no chemicals. The home has a suite of intuitive apps to provide control and monitoring. Besides controlling common functions, such as temperature,
lighting, and security, specific apps optimize home performance and warn of potential problems. These systems track major individual electrical loads, check indoor air
quality (including CO2 and VOCs), detect plumbing leaks and high sump levels, and track the performance of the solar PV array. This unique technology package
enhances the home’s sustainability.
Energy performance was a major consideration. Materials, construction techniques, and mechanical systems were all carefully chosen to meet the rigorous standards
of LEED and other certification programs. An extensive above-code insulation package, detailed air sealing (<0.5 ACH50), efficient appliances, heat pump water
heaters and clothes dryers, and a 14.7 kW solar PV array allow the home to operate on a small fraction of the energy typical for a home of this size, and helped the
home achieve a HERS score of 19 and earn ENERGY STAR® and DOE Zero Energy Ready Home certifications.
Learn more

Photos courtesy of Faulkner Design Group
GREENLAB | Dallas, TX

Photos courtesy of Faulkner Design Group

Designed as a beacon for the future, GREENLAB is an ongoing living lab and catalyst for change to inspire and teach architects, developers, designers, and
contractors about intentionally integrating smart systems and green technology. GREENLAB simultaneously promotes the burgeoning concept of aging in place, known
as Universal Design. This LEED Platinum custom home is not just a collection of green systems; it is a holistic, integrated approach to reducing the carbon footprint of a
home while elevating comfort for all ages and abilities.
Beginning as a passion project, GREENLAB was created by interior designer Adrienne Akin Faulkner and architect Gary Gene Olp, FAIA, LEED Fellow, in Dallas,
Texas, to reach and educate individuals, developers, and companies across multiple project types including residential, multifamily, and senior living communities.
GREENLAB displays, demonstrates, and provides education in sustainable and accessible architecture, energy optimization, water efficiency, and construction
techniques, tools, and products.
The lot’s original structure was tediously deconstructed to reuse and recycle as many materials as possible. Materials for GREENLAB were largely recycled and
sourced within a 500-mile radius. The exterior has a traditional aesthetic that complements the context of the neighborhood. The roof is a thermosyphon ventilated roof
selected to reduce heat absorption from the Texas sun by 79%. An Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) captures, exhausts, filters, and preconditions fresh air coming
into the home with 77% efficiency. Original redwood framing cut from the original home was repurposed into GREENLAB’s smart framing technique, significantly
decreasing the amount of wood required. Smart framing utilizes two-by-six stud framing at two feet on-center, yielding a high performance thermally superior shell,
known as passive survivability, providing peak comfort even when heating or cooling systems are off. Purified water is supplied throughout, including sinks, showers,
and even the pool, providing superior wellness via the award-winning OPHORA water filtration system. An innovative IrriGRAY system captures, filters, and utilizes
graywater alongside a rainwater harvesting system to irrigate the native xeriscape landscape.

Photo credit: Carlos Kelly
Iconia Cubos Luxury Living | Guadalajara, Mexico

Photo credit: Carlos Kelly

Iconia Cubos is a mixed-use complex. It consists of 2 residential towers with 100 living units each, a 380+ room high-rise hotel and a mall connecting the three
buildings. The site provides 3 basements for covered parking.
It is located at the confluence of two of the most important avenues and a landmark in the city. This project was designed by “Hotel Histórico IG SA De CV”, a
developer who is known for bringing high performance features and concern for the environment and the users to its projects.
Iconia Cubos Luxury Living is a high density project located in a former sub used land within the city. As a high-rise building, of just a few in the city, it promotes new
densification to the zone and takes advantage of the privileged location with access to mass transportation systems and diverse services within walking range. Its
mixed use orientation promotes low car mobility.
During its construction, a Health For Construction Workers pilot program plan was implemented to provide additional safety and to promote the construction workers
dignity.
Through the design of terraces, panoramic and operable windows, the project provides views to the city from most of its regularly occupied spaces, while ensuring
comfort and thermal health fro residents and hotel guests. All the performance oriented solutions of energy and water use, helped to increase the densification of the
site without compromising the access to these services to the rest of the neighbors.
All rainwater is reused onsite and greywater from the hotel is treated onsite to be reused in Water Closets making this project one of the most efficient in town. The
owner “adopted” green public areas around the site to restore them and to keep them in optimal conditions not only for residents, but for the city.
With all these, and more features of the projects, it has become a benchmark for sustainable design in the city, becoming one of the few awarded with green incentives
from the Town Hall.
Learn more

Photo credit: Jeffrey Davis Photography
Mulberry Center | Las Vegas, NV

Photo credit: Jeffrey Davis Photography

The past home was 2,170 square feet. The remodel transformed the home into a 7,523 square foot home. This design was purposely unique and different than a
typical Las Vegas home. Phil Kean, the architect, decided to draw on inspiration from Palm Springs. A major component of the redesign was the Mulberry Tree. The
entire design was based around the tree and it was the reason the location was selected. Sustainability:
Thermal Shell: Unvented and air sealed attic with a combination of Installed Building Products’ open-cell, polyurethane foam insulation and Hy-Fi reflective insulation
for a total insulation value of R-38. Ply Gem Windows and patio doors with low-e coating, argon gas fill, and U-Values of 0.40 and SHGC of 0.25 to limit solar heat gain
and optimize air tightness. Exterior walls insulated using Installed Building Products’ open-cell, polyurethane foam insulation and Hy-Fi reflective insulation and
Kingspan GreenGuard extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation board for a total insulation value of R-33. AeroSeal’s AeroBarrier aerosol thermal envelope sealer utilized
to further reduce envelope leakage. Large overhangs to aid in protecting the home from the harsh Nevada sun. Light colored exterior to assist in reflecting the sun
Electrical: Eaton 100% energy-efficient LED lighting for all interior and exterior lighting LG Signatures’ ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances. Pentair ENERGY STAR®-
rated variable speed pool pumps. Generac Generator.
Energy Efficiency and Innovation: Without the solar array, this home has a HERS Index of 47! It will be 53% more efficient than the average new code-built home and
designed to have an 91% reduction of energy usage from pre-remodel levels. With the 14.62 kW solar array, this home has a registered HERS Index of -17, or 117%
more efficient than the average new code-built home, with an 104% reduction in energy use from pre-remodel levels. AeroSeal’s AeroBarrier aerosol thermal envelope
sealer was utilized to further reduce envelope leakage, resulting in an extremely tight envelope leakage rate of 1.54 ACH(50)!
Energy Efficiency Features: The home uses 43, highly efficient solar panels to power its electrical systems, resulting in a 14.62 kW Photovoltaic (PV) system that will
generate a 23,814 kWh of energy yearly. This PV array is designed to provide 100% of the annual electric energy needs for the home!
Water Efficiency Features: In addition to energy savings, this home is designed to achieve approximately a 52.24% reduction in water use from pre-remodel levels.
This remarkable water use reduction is made possible using low-flow water fixtures and a high-efficient irrigation system.

Photo credit: Park Mozaik
Park Mozaik Block A | Ankara, Turkey

Photo credit: Park Mozaik

Park Mozaik A Block is a multifamily residential building housing 40 residential units with a total gross floor area of 95.572 sf.
The project is owned by Tepe-Mesa Joint Venture. Park Mozaik A Block is part of the residential campus project Tepe-Mesa Park Mozaik which is one of the first
residential campus projects in Turkey to achieve LEED certification. Tepe-Mesa's commitment to sustainability is reflected in the fact that all LEED certification soft- and
hard-costs are met by the joint venture and not reflected to the apartment sale or lease prices. This gave the opportunity to middle-income families to dwell in and live
the advantages of a green building.
Park Mozaik A Block is designed and developed around sustainable development principles. The project considered reducing the adverse effects on the environment,
empowering human health and equality, as well as affordability as equally important aspects to achieve.
To address the environmental sustainability, Park Mozaik A Block is designed as an energy-efficient building with a high-performing building envelope, energy-efficient
mechanical systems and lighting systems. The indirect effects on energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction comes from the smart location of the building, water
efficient fixture use (over 40% reduction in water use) and sustainable material selection.
Human-centric design approach was another main driver for the design of Park Mozaik A Block. Human-centric design included protecting and enhancing occupant
health through direct and indirect measures. Direct measures included eliminating the organic, inorganic and toxic contaminants from the indoor air through sufficient
ventilation, filtration, source separation, and selection of healthy and non-emitting indoor building materials. Indirect measures included increasing occupant comfort
and wellbeing through adequate daylighting, access to quality views, thermal comfort, acoustic comfort and olfactory comfort.
Learn more

Photos courtesy of Sol design + consulting
Sikes Residence | Cincinnati, OH

Photos courtesy of Sol design + consulting

This LEED Gold home started with a unique site: an infill lot in this historic Clifton Gaslight neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. It was walkable to a business district that
still had amenities like a grocery store and movie theater, but was also adjacent to a wooded area, leafy and secluded. One reason the site had not been previously
developed was steep terrain and large existing trees that were important to the community. As a result, site design was paramount.
The home is nestled into the hillside and is sited to preserve existing trees. The site has a minimal amount of conventional yard; most of the site is undisturbed, or
planted with low-maintenance native and adaptive species. It is designed to manage 100% of its stormwater, mimicking the pre-development hydrology of the site.
The home was designed to be very energy efficient on a budget. Multiple wall assemblies were assessed with whole-building energy modeling and priced by the
contractor. The result is an assembly with 2x6 advanced framing, continuous rigid insulation, and high air-tightness. Efficient lighting, appliances, and HVAC equipment
round out the efficiency strategies.
Other important sustainable design features of the project include: water-efficient fixtures and appliances; locally-sourced materials, including the hardwood flooring;
and low-emitting materials. The home is designed to accommodate a future green roof over the garage, and future solar panels on the south-facing main roof.
The home takes advantage of its natural surroundings with carefully framed views and ample daylight. A three-story deck and screened porch provide living space
amongst the trees.

Photos courtesy of Runberg Architecture Group
Sitka Apartments | Seattle, WA

Photos courtesy of Runberg Architecture Group

Sitka transcends all expectations of sustainable design, reaching a level of energy efficiency previously unseen at such a scale and providing a refuge to the urban
dweller, bringing the beauty of the natural environment into a fast-passed setting.
Located in Seattle’s South Lake Union urban center, the 500,625 square feet, seven-story 384-unit, full-block mixed-use project has unique entrances at every street
frontage, each representing an environmental characteristic of the Northwest—mountains, meadows, forests, and waterways—which act as passageways into the tree-
filled courtyard for both residents and the public. The project’s rooftop community garden, vegetated roof areas, and indoor/outdoor entertainment zones were
designed to connect residents to the environment. The concept of nature in the city is most clearly expressed in the property’s interior courtyard, which features a
running stream, tree-covered hilltops nestled between rock walls, and an imaginative take on a treehouse.
The running stream is not the only water feature of note, the project utilizes a greywater harvesting system, a water recycling method that diverts water from showers
and laundry for on-site irrigation. Ultra-low-flow toilets (0.8 gpf) are installed in all spaces, along with other low-flow fixtures. The “Swale on Yale” is a public-private
project built in conjunction with Sitka, which allows the city of Seattle owned block-long biofiltration swales to collect and treat stormwater runoff from a neighboring
district. And, the project achieved Salmon Safe certification for practices during construction and design elements on the project.
Throughout the design process, the project team explored various opportunities to modify the design to reduce energy consumption and improve energy performance.
The team made several modifications, including increasing access to natural light, utilizing exterior elevators and walkways, and including highly visible stairs.
A key focus of Sitka’s energy-efficient design is hot water -- the largest energy use demand in new multifamily buildings. Sitka’s Wastewater Heat Recovery System
utilizes water-to-water heat pumps to capture heat from outgoing wastewater to preheat the next day’s hot water supply, effectively recycling heat within the domestic
water heating system.
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