Multifamily Housing Shines Brightly in this Sustainable Community
Footprint Magazine
December 1, 2009
The City of Chula Vista, CA introduces a new and unique housing development that has proven green living is not only for the rich and famous. This cost-effective and exceptionally green 42-unit housing development received five gold stars from me as I made my way out to the courtyard with the project manager for the Los Vecinos apartments, Sylvia Martinez. I couldn’t take my eyes off.
of the 300 pieces of creative art projects laid out among the innovative housing community. Los Vecinos Apartments provide tenants with 15,299 kWh of annual electricity savings, 3,665 therms of annual gas savings and 1,252,000 gallons of water savings per year. These conservation efforts make a significant impact on the lives of the tenants, especially since the occupants pay their own utility bills.
With a 93 kW photovoltaic system mounted on the rooftops, 100% of the tenant electricity is covered. "We are connected to the grid," says Sylvia, "so, we actually give back, that is how we generate credit to provide tenants power in the winter." The housing development enjoys a California Energy Commission rebate for the PV system while federal tax credits also help pay for the project. The City of Chula Vista used the previous space of an abandoned motel to build this green community and made regulatory changes to support this vision by extending the solar panels onto carports and keeping rent affordable through the assembly of the state and federal funds. The monitoring system installed for the housing development is part of a study being done by the California Energy Commission and has thus far concluded that the gas use is well below 50% of what a typical project uses.
Energy efficiency is one strategy that the community aims for, but the many facets of the project not only provide sustainable alternatives for green living, they also create a demand for clean practices. Sylvia begins our green tour at the development by declaring that, "Density is green, livable and offers a great use of space." Sure enough, the design of this project encompasses more than an off the grid lifestyle, "We do not need to use air conditioning here. Cross ventilation is offered through the placement of windows, and the bedrooms have EnergyStar fans and appliances, extra insulation and low-heat windows, while cool roof technology is used in lieu of a black tar roof keeping the apartments a comfortable temperature."
The green materials used in construction contain highly recycled content, FSC certified wood, renewable materials and appliances including paperless drywall, natural linoleum flooring, resin baseboard, low and no-VOC paints, low flow faucets and dual flush toilets. Additionally, each unit contains a tankless water heater and LED lights are used throughout the property. Also, the maintenance crew uses low impact cleaners and materials.
The surrounding landscaping is made of recycled content and shines in the sunlight. The artificial turf is LEED certified and does not require water, pesticides or fertilizers to maintain. The project is designed for very low landscape water use with xeriscape, which means that local and drought tolerant plants were chosen, "You can’t see any irrigation because it is subterranean, dripping right at the roots instead of spraying out into the air." Sylvia explains. The property also houses a greenhouse where children use organic soil to plant seasonal herbs and vegetables. The apartments also facilitate education about growing your own food through the ongoing educational program called, "Simple Green Living in a Small Space" and includes green workshops, yoga classes and lectures. Sylvia describes these ideals and elaborates that a lease agreement is included which states that the tenants will also use low-impact chemicals, "We emphasize not just building green, but also living green," she says.
Much of the recycling is done onsite, including electronic recycling. The "trash" bins are adorned with eco-friendly art and sit across from recycled bike racks, which in turn sit across from an artistic rain cistern that waters the community biofuel plant. These projects allow the members to observe and interact with the power harvested from natural resources.
If you happen to visit someone in this unique community, feel free to charge up your electric vehicle at the recharging station, or stroll through the courtyard and allow yourself to be mesmerized by all the green art. Los Vecinos is quite the community and exudes the health, environmental, cost and energy benefits of conservation.
December 1, 2009
The City of Chula Vista, CA introduces a new and unique housing development that has proven green living is not only for the rich and famous. This cost-effective and exceptionally green 42-unit housing development received five gold stars from me as I made my way out to the courtyard with the project manager for the Los Vecinos apartments, Sylvia Martinez. I couldn’t take my eyes off.
of the 300 pieces of creative art projects laid out among the innovative housing community. Los Vecinos Apartments provide tenants with 15,299 kWh of annual electricity savings, 3,665 therms of annual gas savings and 1,252,000 gallons of water savings per year. These conservation efforts make a significant impact on the lives of the tenants, especially since the occupants pay their own utility bills.
With a 93 kW photovoltaic system mounted on the rooftops, 100% of the tenant electricity is covered. "We are connected to the grid," says Sylvia, "so, we actually give back, that is how we generate credit to provide tenants power in the winter." The housing development enjoys a California Energy Commission rebate for the PV system while federal tax credits also help pay for the project. The City of Chula Vista used the previous space of an abandoned motel to build this green community and made regulatory changes to support this vision by extending the solar panels onto carports and keeping rent affordable through the assembly of the state and federal funds. The monitoring system installed for the housing development is part of a study being done by the California Energy Commission and has thus far concluded that the gas use is well below 50% of what a typical project uses.
Energy efficiency is one strategy that the community aims for, but the many facets of the project not only provide sustainable alternatives for green living, they also create a demand for clean practices. Sylvia begins our green tour at the development by declaring that, "Density is green, livable and offers a great use of space." Sure enough, the design of this project encompasses more than an off the grid lifestyle, "We do not need to use air conditioning here. Cross ventilation is offered through the placement of windows, and the bedrooms have EnergyStar fans and appliances, extra insulation and low-heat windows, while cool roof technology is used in lieu of a black tar roof keeping the apartments a comfortable temperature."
The green materials used in construction contain highly recycled content, FSC certified wood, renewable materials and appliances including paperless drywall, natural linoleum flooring, resin baseboard, low and no-VOC paints, low flow faucets and dual flush toilets. Additionally, each unit contains a tankless water heater and LED lights are used throughout the property. Also, the maintenance crew uses low impact cleaners and materials.
The surrounding landscaping is made of recycled content and shines in the sunlight. The artificial turf is LEED certified and does not require water, pesticides or fertilizers to maintain. The project is designed for very low landscape water use with xeriscape, which means that local and drought tolerant plants were chosen, "You can’t see any irrigation because it is subterranean, dripping right at the roots instead of spraying out into the air." Sylvia explains. The property also houses a greenhouse where children use organic soil to plant seasonal herbs and vegetables. The apartments also facilitate education about growing your own food through the ongoing educational program called, "Simple Green Living in a Small Space" and includes green workshops, yoga classes and lectures. Sylvia describes these ideals and elaborates that a lease agreement is included which states that the tenants will also use low-impact chemicals, "We emphasize not just building green, but also living green," she says.
Much of the recycling is done onsite, including electronic recycling. The "trash" bins are adorned with eco-friendly art and sit across from recycled bike racks, which in turn sit across from an artistic rain cistern that waters the community biofuel plant. These projects allow the members to observe and interact with the power harvested from natural resources.
If you happen to visit someone in this unique community, feel free to charge up your electric vehicle at the recharging station, or stroll through the courtyard and allow yourself to be mesmerized by all the green art. Los Vecinos is quite the community and exudes the health, environmental, cost and energy benefits of conservation.