Vista Dunes Courtyard Homes Affordable Housing Project Goes Green
By Anonymous
As the trend for smart design and environmentally friendly construction continues to grow, developers often find themselves facing the challenge of creating projects that are not only green but sound investments.
The City of La Quinta is proving that smart growth can be environmentally sensitive and yield long-term cost savings for residents. Its prime example is the Vista Dunes Courtyard Homes project (Vista Dunes), which is currently under construction.
La Quinta has long been known as one of the country’s most popular resort cities and a leading golf destination. With its quaint, bougainvillea-filled neighborhoods, the city has grown dramatically in the past 25 years from a predominantly part-time community to a city of full-time residents and families. With this growth – from about 4,200 residents in 1980 to currently more than 41,000 residents – has come a demand for housing.
Vista Dunes is an 80-unit home-style apartment housing project, three years in the making, initiated by the La Quinta Redevelopment Agency in an effort to provide quality affordable housing for the growing population.
“Our rapid growth has been astounding and Vista Dunes is an example of how we’ve successfully responded to the challenges that accompany a growing city while still retaining La Quinta’s high building standards,” says La Quinta Mayor Don Adolph.
For Lee Osborne, Chairman of the La Quinta Redevelopment Agency, the project epitomizes how the city is balancing development, redevelopment, and growth with demands for progressive construction in today’s building industry. “We approached building affordable housing as more than just putting up a structure,” says Osborne, “We wanted the project to be an example of cutting edge development where our residents, while living in an affordable housing community, can still enjoy a lifestyle of comfort, convenience, and efficiency, along with the charm and beauty La Quinta is known for.”
The La Quinta Redevelopment Agency brought in Studio E Architects for the conceptual design and the Nestor & Gaffney Architecture (NGA) firm as the project architect. Davis Reed Construction was signed on as the contractor. During the development and construction process, the La Quinta Redevelopment Agency has been working with Davis Energy Group and Global Green to evaluate the potential for a “green” Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the project.
The Vista Dunes project was formally accepted by the U.S. Green Building Council to participate in the LEED for Homes program and is currently on track to receive the highest ranking a multi-family affordable housing development has ever achieved.
The La Quinta Redevelopment Agency, Studio E Architects, NGA and Davis Reed contractors all approached the Vista Dunes project with specific goals in mind: Energy Efficiency; Water Efficiency; Smart Design and Green Building Efficiency, and Durability.
“When we moved forward with the Vista Dunes housing project, we envisioned the project to be environmentally friendly, and we wanted our residents to have homes that are highly efficient,” says Mayor Adolph, “
Located in the Coachella Valley where summer temperatures can rise to triple digits, energy efficiency was considered the most environmentally and economically effective choice to make. City leaders determined energy costs are one of the most significant expenditures for residents, especially for low income households.
“Energy efficiency is a win-win aspect of this project and really, any project for that matter,” says Lee Osborne. “It’s a good idea for the environment, for the residents, and ultimately for the city because it increases the amount of income available for homeowners and tenants to spend on family necessities, instead of spending that income on high utility bills.”
To achieve energy efficiency, multiple external and internal designs and systems will be implemented. Externally, photovoltaic solar panels which will produce a majority of the electricity consumed by residents will be installed on each unit, as well as ENERGY STAR reflective roof systems which absorb less heat and cool quickly, and ENERGY STAR windows that reduce solar heat.
Particular attention. has been given to exposures. Southern exposures have deep overhangs, and west walls have planted screen lattices that provide shading and allow for air circulation for cooling. Additionally, light colored concrete will be used throughout the site instead of asphalt which eases the cooling loads.
Internally, natural ventilation and lighting will be maximized, tankless water heaters installed, and ENERGY STAR lighting, appliances, and ceiling fans will be utilized, as well as state-of- the-art efficient air conditioning/heating mechanical ventilation systems.
Water conservation was another important component in attain ng an environmentally friendly project. Like energy efficiency, city leaders determined using water efficiently can both improve the environment and reduce household expenses.
To achieve water efficiency, project planners decided on low maintenance, site appropriate desert: landscaping using drought tolerant, non-invasive plants. There will be limited use of turf (17% of the landscaping) in sunny, public/play areas and the grass used will be a hybrid, drought tolerant Bermuda. Decomposed granite will be used for mulching, and efficient irrigation with a water retention basin will be incorporated.
Inside, the homes will feature high efficiency fixtures, dual flush toilets, flow reducers, aerators in showers and faucets, and ENERGY STAR washing machines.
Achieving a green development was a primary goal. City leaders were convinced green building would be healthier for residents, minimize the use of natural resources, reduce the impact on the environment, reduce long-term operations and maintenance costs, benefit the surrounding neighborhood and local economy, and equate to real savings for tenants and owner-operators.
“We lead by example,” says Mayor Adolph. “Progressive and healthy developments such as Vista Dunes improve the quality of life for everyone in the city, not just for those who will move into the new homes.”
When designing the building structures, the architectural plans called for a generous setback from the street for sound and safety buffering.
The design also features a sidewalk system that encourages safe, pedestrian-friendly interaction. Minimal internal fencing will keep the site uncluttered and safer.
Particular attention has been given to placement of the structures with a focus on bringing activity inward. The perimeter will be shielded with trees, connecting to an adjoining park.
And preserving indoor air quality was also a priority, with the use of Green Guard paints with low/no VOCs and formaldehyde-free materials.
Additional components to insure durability are being incorporated into the project including foundation barriers to prevent mold and wood deterioration, and vapor and pest barriers to decrease pollutants and maintenance costs.
The homes are positioned to minimize sun exposure and ventilation is enhanced by open light wells with high windows that catch the current breeze, acting as a thermal chimney to draw rising heat from the interiors.
The consensus from all of the LEED consultants and representatives is that Gold certification for every unit in the development is achievable.
Once completed, the home-style apartments are expected to lease for $450 to $700 a month, depending on family income and number of bedrooms. The development features one to three bedroom apartments, and a playground, pool, basketball court and community building.
City officials believe they’re entering a new era in affordable and green housing as the Vista Dunes Courtyard Homes project makes headway toward national recognition. The Vista Dunes project is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2008.
Copyright Desert Publication, Inc. and Sharon Apfelbaum Dec 4, 2007
(c) 2007 Public Record, The. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.