Kansas City will soon be home to a groundbreaking new green apartment project. The Arnold Development group recently announced that they are set to break ground for the green project, which will stand on the riverfront by the Missouri River, this October. The apartment complex, called Second and Delaware, will set the record for the largest multi-family complex in the U.S. built with Passive House Institute-certified building techniques. The Passive House Institute is a system that sets stricter standards even than the LEED criteria.

An Ambitious & Sustainable Plan

The project’s lead developer, Jonathan Arnold, said that his goal for this project is to “embrace all the best practices of sustainable development, urban design and cost-effective construction.” With the implementation of this project, Arnold brings to the table years of experience from his work on a UN international sustainable development research effort. His inspiration gained from building projects all over the world is now being channeled into this exciting green building project in Kansas City.

Sustainable housing practices that have become more common in Europe are still struggling to find a footing in the U.S. This groundbreaking green apartment building might change that by proving how feasible it is to implement green building practices into new construction projects. The 276-unit, two building complex will be supported by 16-inch thick concrete walls and a sustainable structure that is supposed to withstand harsh weather conditions in order to last up to 200 years.

Green Building Features

Some of the building’s green features will include sustainable rooftop gardens and an energy recovery ventilation system that is predicted to reduce heating and cooling costs by 90% when compared to other apartment complexes of the same size. This unrivaled level of energy efficiency makes living in the building very appealing to those concerned with environmental issues and those who wish to save some money on energy bills. The building is not set to open to tenants until 2017, but the green project is already gaining national attention and high expectations.

The complex’s location is another advantage that adds to its environmental sustainability, as it will be only a block from Kansas City’s incoming streetcar line. Those moving into the apartments in a couple years will be moving into an conveniently walkable neighborhood with great access to Kansas City’s exciting new mode of public transportation that can take them to the downtown, Crossroads and Crown Center areas in a matter of minutes.

Your Smart Building

Implementing green and smart building technology is a smart idea for any building. These new technologies allow our buildings to be more sustainable and energy-efficient than ever. ACS provides smart building automation to make buildings more secure, efficient, and environmentally friendly. Call today at (913) 248-8828.