Case Study

Vital Stats Location: Seattle Star Level: 2-Star Checklist: Multi-Family Section Points Site and Water 28 Energy Efficiency 18 Indoor Air Quality 18 Material Efficiency 66 Homeowner O & M 42 Project Total Score 172

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RAFN
Project: Trace Lofts and the North Building

This month's featured project is Trace Lofts and the adjacent North Building, two 2-Star multi-family buildings in Seattle's Capitol Hill Neighborhood. The two mixed-use buildings provide 153 living units as well as commercial space. Built by RAFN, the buildings exhibit excellent material use starting with a comprehensive recycling program that helped them achieve over 90% diversion of construction waste from the landfill, and finishing with carefully chosen finish materials such as cork flooring throughout. The buildings are also air conditioning free, and most units contain no carpet.

Some of the many green features of the project include:

Site and Water Protection

• Home was built on an infill lot
• Buildings are infill development
• Carefully managed existing soils on site
• Mixed use buildings provide amenities for residents and community
• Central location gives access to bus lines and limits reliance on automobiles
• Wood waste from site was ground for re-use
• No turf grass used in landscaping
• Public deck and outdoor space provided to residents

Energy-Efficiency

• No air conditioners
• Building wrapped with exterior air infiltration barrier
• Ducts sealed with low toxic mastic adhesive
• Installation of programmable thermostats and bathroom
• Centrally located heating system inside the heated space
• Located water heater within 20 feet of highest use
• Used comprehensive approach for lighting design and used Energy Star compact fluorescent lighting fixtures
• Use of clerestory for natural lighting
• Used compact fluorescent lighting in hallways

Material Use

• Comprehensive recycling plan resulted in 90% diversion of waste from landfill
• Extensive use of cork flooring throughout units
• Used recycled content gypsum wallboard
• Installed a 50 year siding product
• Used recycled content plastic decking rather than pressure treated wood for landscaped areas

Indoor Air Quality

• The minimal carpet used was low-pile to minimize dust collection
• All penetrations sealed to prevent air leaks
• Extensive moisture plan to prevent water infiltration
• Provision of isolated storage for hazardous cleaning and maintenance products

Still Images

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