Lofts in a
Former School
Abandoned for years, a high school in Albuquerque, NM, was redeveloped into 54 loft apartments. A clean, sealed shell was created with the installation of new, low-E, insulated windows to replace steel casement windows, historically accurate low-E wood windows to replace the original wood windows, and an R-30, low-albedo roof and steel deck to replace a gypsum roof deck. The final phase of the project renovated the former gym into three levels of loft apartments, which required construction of a new structural system of steel and wood joists. Currently undergoing LEED certification, the building has water source heat pumps and new bamboo and cork flooring as well as refinished maple floors reused from the original gym.
Renovated
Affordable Housing
This 90,000-square-foot, eight-story senior affordable housing project in a renovated Chicago apartment building contains 100 units. Awarded LEED Platinum, the project’s features include a 7,000-square-foot green roof and porous paving, operable windows, high-efficiency lighting and plumbing, low-VOC and recycled materials, and reflective exterior materials that reduce heat-island effect. Some 75% of demolition materials were diverted from the landfill. Elevators and core circulation were relocated while maintaining the location of all exterior openings and windows. Different colors were used on each floor to simplify wayfinding for seniors. The building is 14% more efficient than a code-compliant building.
