Petworth Multi-family Rowhome Gets a LEED Platinum Makeover
A 2-story partially boarded building transforms into a 3-unit condo building in the Petworth, Washington, DC neighborhood. Built in 1917, this building was in drastic need of a renovation. This case study highlights the 8 credit categories within the LEED Homes Rating System.
About the Project
Project Location: Petworth, Washington, DC
Certifications: LEED Platinum, ENERGY STAR
Developer: True Turtle
Location and Linkages
The urban location of this rowhouse was deliberately chosen to capitalize on existing infrastructure. Petworth is close to mass transit, local green spaces, and there are many community amenities within walking distance. The project earned LEED Pilot Credits for proximity to jobs and open and connected communities. The project earned all 10 out of 10 Location and Linkages points plus all 4 Innovation and Design ID credits due to the urban location and density.
Sustainable Sites
The Solidago Condominium has a carefully chosen mix of extremely hardy, all native, drought tolerant plants to survive the District of Columbia’s harsh summers and support the region’s natural biodiversity. The Solidago also manages 100% of its storm water on site through a combination of rain barrels, drywells and slope; removing water from the over burdened storm sewer system. The project earned 18 out of 22 possible LEED Homes points in this category.
Water Efficiency
High efficiency WaterSense certified vanity faucets, showerheads and toilets combined with ENERGY STAR clothes washers and dishwashers to provide excellent indoor water use savings. Drought tolerant plants reduce outdoor water use and the need for irrigation. The project earned 9 out of a possible 15 LEED Homes Water Efficiency points.
Energy and Atmosphere
The building achieved a HERS 49. Everyday Green tested each unit individually and as a whole to determine infiltration. The energy efficiency strategies used include:
- Spray Foam Insulation and Detailed Air Sealing
- High Performance Windows and Doors
- High Efficiency Heating and Cooling Equipment
- High Efficiency Water Heating
- High Efficiency Energy Star Appliances
- High Efficiency Lighting
- Solar Power Photovoltaic Systems for each unit
Materials and Resources
The goal of this renovation was to save, reuse, repurpose, donate or recycle. The building was deconstructed by a crew of professionals from DeConstruction Services who carefully removed all trim, doors and jambs, door hardware, windows, and much more for reuse onsite.
The project reused existing floors and installed reclaimed floors matching the existing floors in the addition. All interior doors were re-used as well as the existing foundation, which does double-duty as the finished flooring in the basement unit for an industrial urban feel.
During the construction, the project recycled over 65% of the new construction waste which saved over 7 tons from going to a landfill. The project earned 6.5 out of a possible 16 LEED Homes points.
Indoor Environmental Quality
The Solidago’s utilizes a supply-side fresh air ventilation strategy. Fresh outdoor air is filtered and tempered within the ductwork and distributed evenly through the unit. All bath and kitchen exhaust is ducted directly to outdoors and all mechanical equipment uses high quality MERV 10 filters. The project earned 10 out of 21 possible points.
Awareness and Education
While often overlooked, homeowner education is a critical component of a green home. All of the hard work of the project team can literally go out the window if intended operations and maintenance are not instilled in the homeowners.
The Soldiago provided additional training to the buyers and also opened the house up to neighbors and the public to raise awareness about green building.
