Nov 18 2009
Army Hawaii Family Housing LLC (AHFH) was joined last week by more than 100 guests to celebrate the opening of what could be the greenest neighborhood on a military installation.
The Simpson Wisser neighborhood, located at the U.S. Army Pacific Headquarters, Fort Shafter, is one of an elite group of residential communities chosen to participate in the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) pilot program. The U.S. Army and its development partner Actus Lend Lease are taking a leadership role in establishing and testing the first national standard for the development of neighborhoods integrating smart growth, new urbanism and green building principles. A traditional Hawaiian blessing and open house showcasing the neighborhood and homes was attended by dignitaries representing Hawaii’s congressional, state, city, U.S. Army and Actus leadership.
“Green building principles at Simpson Wisser encompass more than the just the design of the neighborhood and homes,” said AHFH Project Director Claire Ridding-Johnston. “The program involves the participation of families who have the most opportunity to make an impact on their community. Awareness and education take place throughout a family’s residency, which help encourage more sustainable habits.”
As part of the USGBC’s pilot program, AHFH residents are required to attend a two-hour orientation to learn how to care for and maintain innovative, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable features of their home and community, and incorporate green living practices into their daily routine. Additionally, construction subcontractors and property management and maintenance staff receive training on building and maintenance practices required to meet the pilot’s green building standards. Simpson Wisser and its families will serve as a model for sustainable neighborhood development across the nation.
“This is an opportunity to develop neighborhoods that support and enrich the lives of U.S. soldiers and their families, and it has the potential to change the world’s view of residential community development,” continued Ridding-Johnston.
The Simpson Wisser neighborhood is expected to receive LEED-ND certification in spring of 2010. Compliance includes third-party verification that site locations and neighborhood design strategies meet the highest levels of environmentally responsible and sustainable development, including density maintenance to reduce urban sprawl; energy-efficient, pedestrian-oriented development; protection of threatened species; and provisions for social well-being and healthy living. Certification also includes specifications for home design and construction; all Simpson Wisser homes will meet, or exceed, LEED-certified standards.
In addition to its LEED initiatives, AHFH will be one of the world’s largest solar-powered communities by incorporating photovoltaic and solar technologies. PV systems on new homes have never been done on this scale in a residential development. PVs will supply up to 30 percent of the community’s power needs, which result in significant cost savings that equates to more money going to building and maintaining quality homes and communities for Soldiers and their Families.
Source: http://www.usgbc.org/