Sustainable Design at Stanford Avenue Apartments
Stanford Avenue Apartments is an environmentally-forward and thoughtfully designed building comprising of 85 new apartments, with a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedrooms. The apartment community will be home to formerly homeless individuals and low-income households. HCHC collaborated with award-winning architects Shelter, LLP for the second time since the completion of Palo Verde Apartments in El Monte.
Stanford Avenue Apartments aims to achieve Platinum LEED-certification, the highest level of sustainable design as granted by the LEED program.
What does it mean to be LEED-certified?
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is a designation from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. For a project to receive LEED for Homes Certification, it must meet requirements in eight different environmental qualities:
- Sustainable Sites
- Water Efficiency
- Energy and Atmosphere
- Materials & Resources
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Locations and Linkages
- Awareness and Education
- Innovation and Design
LEED certified buildings save money and resources and have a positive impact on the health of occupants, while promoting renewable, clean energy.
Green Features at Stanford Avenue Apartments:
The project incorporates drought tolerant landscaping, locally sourced materials, high-efficiency lighting and Energy Star appliances, and low flow fixtures (high-efficiency showers, toilets, and lavatory faucets) to moderate on-site water consumption. Native plantings are incorporated into the design to reduce water runoff and landscape irrigation. No turf was used in the landscaping, further conserving water usage. Water conservation efforts are also being promoted through building operations and resident education.
- All low-flow showers, faucets and toilets, reducing water use
- All appliances are ENERGY STAR to save on energy use
- Landscaping is 0% conventional turf and over 90% drought tolerant plants
- High-efficacy lighting
- Fresh air: Air directly ventilated from unit to the outside, bathrooms include energy star bathroom fan to ventilate and keep mold away
- All low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints and sealants on all walls, trims, and moldings
- Covered, secured bike parking provided onsite along with guest bike parking in front of the building
- Over 65% of construction waste was diverted from landfills and recycled
- Located within walking distance of several community amenities including an elementary school, a public park, public transit routes, a pharmacy and a grocery store, which reduce car usage and encourage walking and bike trips.Â
