by Brianna Crandall — June 1, 2015—To nonprofit affordable housing developer Imagine Housing, “Velocity” is not just a trendy name for their new apartment community but an embodiment of the concept of moving forward. Velocity, and its neighbor Kirkland Crossing, developed by Polygon NW, are located at the South Kirkland Park and Ride in Washington. The new community was designed with the residents and environment in mind by using technology to incorporate interaction, health and sustainability.
“Our vision for Velocity was to create a living, moving community for the area’s low-income families to take an active role in their health as well as community sustainability,” said Sibyl Glasby, director of housing development for Imagine Housing. “The living green roof is a sustainable green feature that also provides a beautiful outdoor space for our residents.”
Imagine Housing chose the LiveRoof Hybrid Green Roof System for their 6,140-square-foot living garden that includes walking paths, seating and a gas barbecue. The vegetative roof provides significant benefits to the environment including reducing water runoff and turbidity into the stormwater system. The green roof was designed by Fazio Associates landscape architects and installed by Greening America. Using drought-tolerant native and adaptive plants and locally sourced engineered soil, the modular living roof was grown to full maturity by GreenFeathers, Inc., of Cornelius, Oregon.
Velocity offers on-site parking, ready access to transportation, bicycle storage and repair station, a vibrant community area/library with a coffee house feel, a fully equipped exercise center, and a rooftop garden with walking paths, seating and a gas barbeque. A rooftop community room hosts a variety of activities and services designed to enhance residents’ lives and promote opportunity for engagement within the community.
Velocity meets Washington’s Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard for energy efficiency, saving valuable resources and contributing to a clean planet. The homes have been built with both the residents and sustainability in mind, achieving a balance between modern finishes and long-term durability with environmentally friendly materials.
The housing development was designed according to Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) standards as well. LiveRoof notes that its systems can influence several LEED credits in areas of sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. Due to potential cost impacts, the project did not pursue LEED accreditation.
