The Silver Star Apartments - a carbon neutral, zero-net energy project:
Silver Star Apartments is an affordable housing development for veterans, which includes cutting edge sustainability features, including delivered zero net energy and gray water recycling. The project aims to meet the “Living Building Challenge” in addition to LEED and Energy Star requirements and pays special attention to the solar orientation of each façade. The design of the development is a direct correlation between solar passive design and aggressive sustainability goals. Mostly comprised of one-bedroom units, a mix of courtyards and a community facility, the project creates naturally flowing interaction spaces and varied outdoor spaces for an at-risk population of veterans, helping to promote a healthy lifestyle and communal activity. It further incorporates an innovative, publicly accessible herb garden at the street front, in addition to edible landscaping throughout the site.
PROJECT DATE: July, 2017
PROJECT SIZE: 49 unit affordable housing, approx. 39,000 SF
SITE CONDITIONS: urban site in southwest Los Angeles
PROGRAM: Affordable housing for disabled veterans
DESIGN INTENT: to provide sustainable housing for at-risk veterans that promotes a healthy communal lifestyle
Narrative Sustainable Design Certificate:
Silver Star is the first Zero Net Energy (ZNE) multifamily, affordable housing project in Los Angeles, California. This amazing building of fortynine apartment homes for former homeless veterans is completing its journey to become Living Building Challenge Energy Petal Certified. It has been LEED for Homes Platinum Certified, achieving 108 out of 120 points, and Energy Star New Homes Certified. This project is set to become a benchmark for high performance multifamily affordable housing through great design and construction, and attention to details.
The project’s sustainable accomplishments include:
● LEED for Homes MultiFamily LowRise Platinum and Energy Star Homes Certified
● Targeting Energy Petal Certification • Living Building Challenge
● Carbon Neutral Building
● Expected Operating Energy Use exceeds 2030 Challenge Targets
● Implemented stormwater quality infiltration feature to capture 100% of stormwater
● Zero stormwater project, allowing all stormwater with the exception of driveways, to be infiltrated onsite
● Reduced burden on municipal water supply with high efficiency plumbing fixtures
● All Electric Site (no fossil fuels used)
● PV system designed to offset 105% of all site energy use
● High efficiency heat pump water heaters coupled with solar thermal preheat to offset 80% of their energy
consumption
● Quality air sealing and insulation installation implemented to greatly reduce envelope leakage and HVAC loads
● Used environmentally preferable building materials and low VOC products
In addition, the ACOF Silver Star Apartments project is going to be the first Commercial OnSite Greywater System to bepermitted in the City of Los Angeles. This system will capture and treat all greywater from showers and lavatories throughoutthe 49 unit apartment complex for reuse in flushing toilets and for subsurface irrigation.
