Each year, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recognizes leading projects and developers in the residential green building space. This year marks the 15th annual LEED Homes Awards, where recipients fall into the categories of Outstanding Single Family Projects, Outstanding Multifamily Projects, Outstanding Affordable Projects, Outstanding Developer, Project of the Year, and LEED Power Builders.
The 2023 LEED Homes Awards winners in the multifamily space represent green, LEED-certified buildings designed to provide clean indoor air and reduced energy consumption. Here are the three outstanding multifamily and three outstanding affordable projects:
Outstanding Multifamily Projects
The George
San Francisco, Calif. (LEED Silver)
The George exemplifies sustainability, community, and health and wellness. Built on the mission of cultural celebration, community development, and economic and racial justice, SoMa celebrates the pride and people of generations of Filipinos throughout the city through area landmarks, businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Zero Place
New Paltz, N.Y. (LEED Platinum)
Zero Place is a groundbreaking project that showcases the potential of using existing technology to bring net zero energy to multifamily buildings. The project was designed from the ground up to maximize energy efficiency and generate all of its required energy on-site.
University of California, Riverside North District
Riverside, Calif. (LEED Gold)
North District serves as the home away from home for more than 1,500 students. The project features a mix of affordable one-, two- and four-bedroom units, accommodating students with diverse economic profiles, with pricing remaining consistent with older on-campus accommodations.
Outstanding Affordable Projects
Orenda at Othello Square
Seattle, Wash. (LEED Gold)
Orenda authentically represents a community-centered design and supports the health and wellness of a resilient neighborhood. As a seven-story mixed-use development, Orenda achieved Gold certification under LEED Homes Multifamily Midrise. Low-flow water fixtures and the landscape palette minimize the water needed for irrigation. Attention was paid to materials to promote wellness by selecting those that minimize the off gassing of chemicals, using durable, water-resistant products, and ensuring good ventilation.
The Creamery
Kalamazoo, Mich. (LEED Platinum)
The Creamery is part of a long-term multi-year development in partnership with the city, and it worked with the local community over many design charrette meetings to determine what best would serve the residents on this former brownfield site.
They also partnered with the Kalamazoo YMCA to boost the mixed-use space to "create Michigan's first comprehensive early childhood learning center that includes first, second, and third shift twenty-four-hour drop off day care services.
Jefferson Park Apartments
Chicago, Ill. (LEED Gold)
5150 Northwest Highway is a 75-unit, mixed-income apartment community in Jefferson Park for veterans, persons with disabilities, seniors and families that is located in a prime location for public transit and community resources.
Bonus: Outstanding Developers
AMLI Residential (United States)
TriPointe Home (Arizona)
Red Sea Global (Saudi Arabia)
Related Stories
| Apr 19, 2012
KTGY Group’s Arista Uptown Apartments in Broomfield, Colo. completed
First of eight buildings highlights unique amenities.
| Apr 6, 2012
Batson-Cook breaks ground on hotel adjacent to Infantry Museum & Fort Benning
The four-story, 65,000-ft property will feature 102 hotel rooms, including 14 studio suites.
| Mar 27, 2012
Precast concrete used for affordable, sustainable housing in New York
Largest affordable housing development in the nation will provide housing for close to 500,000 people.
| Mar 19, 2012
Mixed-use project redefines Midtown District in Plantation, Fla.
Stiles Construction is building the residential complex, which is one of Broward County’s first multifamily rental communities designed to achieve LEED certification from the USGBC.
| Mar 6, 2012
Country’s first Green House home for veterans completed
Residences at VA Danville to provide community-centered housing for military veterans.
| Mar 1, 2012
Reconstruction of L.A.’s Dunbar Hotel underway
Withee Malcolm Architects’ designs for the project include the complete renovation of the Dunbar Hotel and the Somerville Apartments I and II.
| Feb 15, 2012
NAHB sees gradual improvement in multifamily sales for boomers
However, since the conditions of the current overall housing market are limiting their ability to sell their existing homes, this market is not recovering as quickly as might have been expected.
| Feb 10, 2012
Atlanta Housing Authority taps Johnson Controls to improve public housing efficiency
Energy-efficiency program to improve 13 senior residential care facilities and save nearly $18 million.
| Feb 8, 2012
Nauset completes addition and renovation for Winchester senior living community
Theater, library, fitness center, and bistro enhance facility.
| Jan 3, 2012
Rental Renaissance, The Rebirth of the Apartment Market
Across much of the U.S., apartment rents are rising, vacancy rates are falling. In just about every major urban area, new multifamily rental projects and major renovations are coming online. It may be too soon to pronounce the rental market fully recovered, but the trend is promising.