Bluebird 58- Portland, OR

Bluebird 58 is a unique living environment located in Portland that offers clean, healthy, low-impact living in the Pacific Northwest. The property is uniquely located at the end of a quiet street directly adjacent to a large city-owned agricultural preserve. This brings a nice blend of urban life with the country for the urbanite who wishes for something a little different.

There were many measures taken to make Bluebird 58 energy efficient enough to earn a green building rating.  Tenants pay for their own energy use so they can understand the need for conservation and control their own environments with a programmable thermostat. Renewable energy is actually used to power everything. The building even uses smart insulation, which is low-VOC insulation, to help maintain the indoor temperature. The appliances and equipment all meet or exceed ENERGY STAR standards. The windows are capable of being opened to cut on cooling costs as well. For lighting, there are energy-efficient lighting fixtures and bulbs. Sky lights and other day lighting features are also in use. Interestingly, motion sensor controls are used as well so that the rooms are lit only when occupied in order to save from idle currents. Also, for residents who want to take an extra green step, there is the option to use a clothesline rather than dryers, which requires no energy at all.

Good water consumption practices are used as well.  For indoor water use, there are low-flow toilets. To encourage smart water use, there are rainwater harvesting systems that use cisterns to collect rainfall. Water heating is done using a high-efficiency water heater turned down to 120 degrees. Insulated water pipes or tanks are in place to ensure no heat goes wasted, too.

Even the building materials were thoroughly thought through. No-VOC interior paint was used in the interior. Low/No-VOC, water-based wood finishes were used on the floors and panels. Rapidly renewable materials (i.e. bamboo and cork) were used in place of conventional flooring. Any other wood is FSC-certified so you can be sure that it came from a sustainably harvested source. Recycled or salvaged interior finishes can be found throughout each unit; things such as reused glass. Recycled content can also be found in carpets and cushions. You'll also be happy to know that during construction there was a minimized use of new materials. Of those, the materials were sought from local sources or from renewable sources.

This development has gotten attention for its green features and proximity to both urban and agricultural lifestyles. This development also puts forth a great deal of effort to promote green living amongst the tenants. Each tenant gets a manual on how to keep up the green efforts and continue with the unique character of the Blubird 58. EnviroCitizen.org hopes that this green development is paving the way for others to follow in its path to a greener tomorrow.