Nordheim Court Apartments - a public private partnership with Lorig Associates and Mithun Architects. This project substantiates the benefits of sustainable design. Located on 25th Avenue NE just north of University Village the construction budget was $20 million and a total project budget of $27 million. It provides 146 units with 460 beds. Lorig and Mithun agreed to the benefits of the additional costs to achieve LEED certification.
Cost-saving sustainable strategies were designed into the project from its initial conception. A team approach was used bringing the developer, owner, architect, consultants, contractor and subcontractors into the project early and including them in making sustainable building choices early in and throughout the project. The project included added transportation options by hiding a 150-car underground parking garage, an electrical car fueling station, its walking proximity to the University and all services residents might need and extensive bicycle storage. An existing pond was preserved and integrated into the project. Upgraded insulation and passive solar design qualified the project as a Seattle City Light BUILT SMART project.
During construction Walsh Construction (the general contractor) recycled 589 tons of construction debris and reduced 81% of its landfill construction waste. The project used 35% recycled products. Many materials were locally manufactured. Sealants, adhesives and paints contained low volatile organic compounds and exceeded LEED standards. Fly ash was substituted for 43% of the cement in the architectural concrete which reduced pressure on landfills in the future. A flyer was produced for residents and visitors to educate them on the sustainable features integrated into the project. There is also signage on the site to let people know that sustainability works.
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