10C — May 21 - June 17, 2021 — Multifamily Development — Owners, Developers & Managers — M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal
www.marej.com
Multifamily Development
By Susan Ciaverelli Net Zero is a Net Positive
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Net zero means a project site produces as much energy as it consumes. This can be accom - plished through a combination of energy efficient construction and by generating energy on site through sources such as solar, geothermal, or wind.
thermally broken triple glazed windows, and reduce exterior wall penetrations.” Residences built this way are more comfortable in winter and summer months and cost less to heat and cool. These are obvi - ous benefits for tenants, but there are savings on mainte - nance for owners, too. “When we reduce the air flow through an exterior wall, we reduce the potential for hu - midity in the wall assembly,” says Riviello. “Humidity is the enemy of buildings, and when you reduce moisture in the wall, you also reduce the opportunity
for mold.” Another way to reduce hu - midity is to build all-electric residences. This eliminates burning fuel in the unit, which produces moisture and requires greater ventilation. “To keep the ventilation ef - ficient, we provide ERVs or HRVs,” says Riviello. “This equipment allows the venti - lation air to be preheated or precooled by recovering energy from conditioned exhaust air. With a tighter envelope and fewer air changes per hour, electric heat pumps can work in colder or hotter climates than previously possible. We are also seeing the use of heat pump water heaters, which use warm corridor air to heat water.” “One other advantage of controlled ventilation is that we can filter the air being exchanged, a selling point for people with allergies,” adds Riviello. You might think this all sounds more expensive to build, and it has been, however, with products becoming more avail - able and widely used, prices are coming down. When you take into account the long-term sav - ings in maintenance for owners and energy costs for tenants, net zero becomes a more cost- effective choice. It also gives developers an advantage when applying for HUD financing. “Overall,” says Riviello, “We are designing better buildings with fewer potential problems.” The Martin Architectural Group is currently working with The Duffie Companies to design a net-zero multi-family apartment community in the city of Frederick, Maryland. The project includes five build - ings and a clubhouse with 260 market-rate one, two and three- bedroom units. Each building also has 14 individual garages for rent and a rooftop amenity. It is worth noting that three apartments in each building are designed for multigenerational families. There is increased demand for multi-generational living among Americans, with 20 to 30 percent considering it for their extended families or live-in employees. TimKamas, vice president of development and construction for Duffie, explains, “In our market, prospective tenants are looking for communities with proximity to shopping and entertainment, but build - ing owners still need to set continued on page 11C
t has been 51 years since the first EarthDay on April 22, 1970. Since then, the
percentage of Americans c o n c e r n e d a b o u t c l i - mate change has climbed to two-thirds, with senti - ment espe - cially strong
East of Market is redefining apartments in Frederick, MD to tenants because they offer lower energy costs and appeal to those who are concerned about climate change. The question remains, how feasible is it to build to net zero and still turn a profit? Jim Riviello of Martin Archi - tectural Group explains, “There are a number of ways to design a building to achieve net zero. We start with a tight build - ing envelope and less thermal bridging to eliminate drafts and greatly reduce the exchange of heat and cold. To achieve that, we use continuous insulation, MARTIN
Susan Ciaverelli
among millennials and Gen Z. Some developers see this as an opportunity to appeal to a younger demographic. Net zero buildings can be attractive
ARCHITECTURAL ARCHITECTS & LAND PLANNERS The Martin Architectural Group was established in 1967 with a commitment to client service and design excellence. Our diverse portfolio includes mixed-use, multi-family residential, senior living communities, retail and office designs, transit-oriented developments, and sustainable projects. We are award-winning architects and planners committed to delivering the highest quality professional services to private sector real estate development. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PLAN tm
www.MartinAIA.com • 215.665.1080 • 240 N. 22nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
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