More and more facilities are becoming conservative about their resource consumption, taking major approaches to push for sustainability. Many of these design trends have also been implemented across various affordable housing schemes. Not only do these use reusable elements, but they focus on getting zero emissions, reducing power consumption, and making a huge difference.
These are some of the most common design trends found across affordable housing communities for sustainability:
Green Roofs
Many major housing communities are opting for green roofing to take on sustainable strategies. They have numerous advantages. Plants help with temperature regulation, allowing buildings to use less power for cooling. Similarly, they’re great for absorbing water during rainy seasons.
An additional advantage is that these plants clean up the environment, allowing people to come to relax in the area. The fresh air and calming environment are additional perks. Depending on the roof’s area, you can opt for either partial setups or complete coverups.
Renewable Energy via Solar Panels
Affordable housing communities are also taking the initiative to adopt clean energy, and lower their carbon emissions by opting for renewable forms of energy. Considering that they require constant energy to keep vital systems running, there’s a necessity for energy storage. For this, communities are now using solar panels.
In conjunction with green roofs, they’re setting up solar panels that can cover nearly 30% of their electric utilities. Moreover, solar panels can also help meet their electricity needs at night.
Energy Efficient Lighting
Affordable housing communities are opting for energy-efficient lighting solutions, replacing incandescent bulbs with more energy-efficient bulbs. These take up significantly less power and provide a longer lifespan while offering the same intensity of light. Considering the large scale of many communities, replacing each unit is not an easy task but it has helped affordable housing communities save heavily on their bills.
At Larsen Engineers, we’re collaborating with affordable housing communities to implement energy-efficient methods for more sustainable means. We’re also helping out architectural firms, municipalities, and government agencies reduce their carbon footprint, ensuring the same level of productivity and results for their operations.
Reach out to us for community planning, energy conservation, and sustainable site development consultants today!
