MoreFrom conception to construction, rigorous "green" standards and specifications for everything from materials to energy-saving strategies, right down to the building process itself was implemented.
The flagship project, is the result of a unique artistic collaboration. Architects Pugh Scarpa Kodama (PSK) worked closely with the City of Santa Monica, the Community Corporation of Santa Monica, and a team of expert consultants to design a structure that will offer an unprecedented quality of living for its residents. Colorado Court will also become an inspirational model for future affordable housing developments nationwide.
Innovative sustainable-energy technologies developed for Colorado Court include a natural gas-powered turbine/heat recovery system that generates the base electrical load and services the building's hot water needs as well. A solar electric panel system integrated into the facade and roof will supply most of the peak-load energy demand. This unique co-generation system will convert utility natural gas to electricity in order to meet the building's power needs. This same system also captures and uses waste heat to produce hot water and space heating for the residents throughout the year. The unused energy from these passive solar panels will be returned to the grid during daytime hours and retrieved from the grid at night as needed. PSK notes that the "green electricity" produced at the building site will release no pollutants into the environment. Colorado Court's energy conservation systems have been designed to pay for themselves in less than ten years. Projected annual savings in electricity and natural gas are estimated to be in excess of $6,000.
An apartment in Colorado Court will be more than just energy efficient-it will be comfortable and livable, even elegant. Though small-375 square feet maximum-each of these single units have ten-foot high ceilings, which create a sense of airy spaciousness. Small details such as florescent lights, which automatically turn off when one leaves the room, are both convenient and energy saving.
Not content with implementing "hard" green technologies for sustainable living, PSK pushed their energy-efficient strategies even further. They created a Green Addendum--specifications that will act as a guide for the building's actual construction, as well as the materials used.
"PSK has been getting greener all the time," observed Lawrence Scarpa, one of the firm's principals. "Our offices observe environmentally-sound procedures. We've got a serious recycling program going, and we don't use traditional blueprints, which require ammonia and other poisonous chemicals. Colorado Court was a natural evolution for us, providing us with an exciting and challenging opportunity to put all our principles into action. And for a great, often under-rated cause-affordable, sustainable housing."
PSK's Green Addendum for contractors define alternative, environmentally friendly, responsible practices that must be adhered to by all agencies involved in the construction of Colorado Court. For example, contrary to conventional practice, a contractor must comply with a strict waste recycling policy at the site at all times. Taking "green" even deeper, in cooperation with the client and the City of Santa Monica, PSK took the unprecedented step of writing an energy conservation policy for the building's future tenants. Compliance with this Green Sheet will enable tenants to receive a cash rebate for under-consumption of their monthly energy allowance.
PSK has been supported in its efforts to exceed the standard "green" energy conservation specifications required by the city of Santa Monica-already some of the highest nationwide-by grants totaling over $500,000. In addition to $400,000 from the California Energy Coalition and the City of Santa Monica, the California State Energy Commission awarded PSK a $72,000 grant, and more funding is expected from Southern California Edison.
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