Living Green in the 21st Century

In my post of February 26th, I looked at how builders and developers are tackling the challenge of building green for the residential market. A good case study from the Pacific Northwest is the company of Pryde + Johnson, whose Ashworth Cottages were the first homes in the state of Washington to achieve LEED for Homes Platinum Certification (in August of last year).

Ashworth Cottages offers traditional, craftsman-style homes grouped around an outdoor commons. Somewhat different in feel are two condominium projects which Pryde + Johnson currently has underway. Florera (in Greenlake, like Ashworth Cottages) and Hjarta (in the historic town of Ballard) are located in two of Seattle’s best-known urban neighborhoods. And as some of the first homes in the country to be designed according to LEED principles, these projects give us a glimpse at the changes that green design — and green living — will bring to our daily lives.

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For the residents of these condominium complexes, life will be different ‘from the top down’. One can spend a day on the rooftop, hanging out in the recreation area or digging in the community garden, then bring some of the produce down to the kitchen and cook it for dinner. And while urban neighborhoods offer plenty of amenities for pedestrians, these green communities also offer responsible ways for people to meet their driving needs. Basement garages offer chargers for electric cars, and Florera provides a Flexcar, a low-emission, fuel efficient vehicle that is available for an hourly rate. And on the way down to the garage, it’s easy to get rid of recyclables — a sorting center is located in the basement.

While some green features are (happily) invisible — think hot water on demand and energy-efficient appliances — others bring a whole new aesthetic to the built environment. For example, recycled content in construction materials and finishes brings a fresh look to these 21st century buildings. Florera’s countertops are made of recycled glass and buttons… definitely a novelty. And structures built to sustainable standards will be a part of our landscape for a long time: in a video on their company website, the developers discuss the fact that their buildings are constructed of steel and concrete, giving them a lifespan of 100 years as opposed to the 25-35 year lifespan of a wood-frame building.

Innovations in green home design will continue to bring innovations to everyday living, so look for more of my upcoming posts to highlight residential projects.

Photo Credit: http://www.moderngreenliving.com/International/Local/Online/Eletronic/Directory/Hjarta.html

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