 Elevation 314 is a prime green rental property in the nation’s capital. It has been the recipient of several awards including the 2007 VA Assoc of Landscape Architects Special Commendation for Sustainable Design, the 2006 NAHB National Green Building Award, the 2005 AIA DC Award for Excellence and the 2005 Maryland/DC NAIOP award of Excellence for the Best Environmentally Friendly Building.
For energy, it has lots to offer the tenant. A particular thing worthy of all the attention was that the place has on-site electricity generation from geothermal sources. All Windows are ENERGY STAR rated. Energy sub-metering is within tenant spaces. Energy costs are paid by tenants to encourage conservation. Passive solar design is used. There are user-controlled thermostats in place. All appliances meet or exceed ENERGY STAR standards. The windows are fully functional. Ceiling fans are in many rooms so air conditioning use is lessened. For lighting, energy efficient lighting fixtures and bulbs are in place. There are also skylights or other day lighting features.
For the area of water, low-flow units are used on toilets and aerators are used on sinks or shower heads. Surface water management includes permeable surface materials, bioswales, and downspouts disconnected. There is also an ecoroof to maximize water use. For water heating, a high efficiency water heater is installed and turned down to 120 degrees with insulated water pipes so the heat wasn’t wasted. Comments on the building on GreenRenter are as follows; “The courtyard at Elevation 314 serves not only as a beautiful space for residents to enjoy-- it is also a living storm water management system. Every drop of rain on our property is directed to the Green Roof and the Bioretention areas of the courtyard. Thirsty trees and plants that benefit from pollutive elements filter water-borne pollution from the runoff before it is contributed (if any is at all, which is rare) to the city's storm system. Thus, the water contributed is clean, and comes well after the damaging first flush. ELEVATION 314 was the first building in Washington, DC to use a Green Roof as a working part of its SWM system, serving as a pilot for later projects.”
The interior was as well thought out as the rest of the other areas. Low/No VOC interior paints, adhesives or solvents, water-based wood finishes are all used in the interior. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wood is used as well as rapidly renewable materials (i.e. bamboo, cork) and natural flooring (i.e. linoleum, Marmoleum).
The exterior boasts a recycled or low/no VOC paint exterior, natural wood interior or exterior, new construction - materials sourced locally, and fiber-cement exterior siding. For design and construction planning they minimized use of materials during construction. There was the use of recycled-content materials, locally sourced materials, and rapidly renewable materials.
Elevation 314 is a state-of-the-art environmental apartment building that incorporates the highest standards of sustainable construction and joins them with beauty, comfort and convenience in an urban setting. Now in its 5th successful year as a home to more than 80 tenants, Elevation 314 has been featured by the Washington Post and other publications and has received some wonderful awards and is just across the street from transit stations. This place is wonderful for anyone in the DC area.
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