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Energy-Efficient,
Affordable Housing?
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Jeffrey L. Zucker, LEED
AIA
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CATALYST
ARCHITECTURE was recently honored to have Governor Janet
Napolitano participate in the dedication ceremony of a new four
unit apartment building-- the first of three phases of construction for
Project Aware, a local non-profit agency serving the needs of the
disadvantaged. When completed, the project will provide 20 homes
for men
who are striving to improve their situation in life, and who need
affordable housing to help them make the transition back into
productive society.
Typically, the housing that is available for lower income people is
often substandard with regard to construction quality.
These
buildings are frequently older homes with inadequate insulation, single
glazed windows, and inefficient heating systems. As a result,
while
the initial cost of renting the units is fairly low, the subsequent
expense of utilities, particularly for heating, can be unbearably
high. Couple this with the rising cost of energy, and one can
quickly
see that so called “affordable housing”, is not so affordable after all.
Unfortunately, when housing
is constructed with the goal of
being affordable, quality is often sacrificed for quantity. Not
only is material quality sacrificed, but so too is thoughtful
design. Thus, low income
people are relegated to cheap, unhealthy buildings with uninspiring
design. And,
since nobody wants that kind of architecture in their back yard, the
“NIMBY's” (Not-In-My-Backyard) come out in force to drive affordable
housing further and further out
of town.
Affordable housing is not strictly for lower income people. All
too
often, our teachers, nurses, and even policemen are forced to seek
housing many miles from their work places. This results in a
potential job force being compelled to drive greater distances to work,
again culminating in higher costs, rush hour traffic jams,
more pollution, and endless stretches of suburbia.
Thankfully, there are successful projects that combine high
performance, energy-efficient design with creative and responsible
architecture. These types of developments “nourish the soul”, and
encourage individuals to be proud of their surroundings while keeping
their costs of living to a minimum. Lively, urban environments,
which
are integrated within the fabric of the community, enhance the entire
neighborhood and increase a sense of self-esteem for their
inhabitants.
Perhaps this is the true meaning of “Project Aware”.
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Green Product of the
Month: |
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DuPont's Tyvek House Wrap
FAQ  |
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Green Builder's
Tip of the Month: |
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Recommendations For HVAC System
Replacement |
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Green Technology
of the
Month: |
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Natural, Recycled, High- Performance
Cellulose Insulation |
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Green
Project of the
Month: |
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First LEED Platinum Home Completed In California
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| CATALYST ARCHITECTURE is an award winning,
full-service architectural design firm located in
Prescott, Arizona. We specialize in educational, commercial,
master
planning and custom residential work, with an emphasis on
high-performance design, and caring client relations. |
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Copyright
©
2003-2006 CATALYST ARCHITECTURE, LLC. All images, sketches,
artwork and photographs are the property of CATALYST ARCHITECTURE,
LLC. No reproduction, copying or redistribution of this
material for commercial purposes is allowed without the expressed
written consent of CATALYST ARCHITECTURE, LLC. All Rights
Reserved.
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