Roanoke-Lee Street Housing Project (formerly Blacksburg Duplex Project)
Roanoke-Lee Street

This photo shows a newly completed unit.

Overview

  • Location: Blacksburg, VA
  • Building type(s): Multi-unit residential
  • New construction
  • 1,140 ft2 (106 m2)
  • Project scope: 7 2-story buildings
  • Suburban setting
  • Completed June 2006
    The project totals 16,247 ft2. The square footage given above for the sake of energy calculations is that of an average 2-bedroom unit.
  • Rating: HERS --Level: 74 (208 Prospects St.)

Located in a historic part of Blacksburg, Virginia, the Roanoke-Lee Street project contains 14 duplexes housing units for buyers earning 51%-80% of the area median income. Developed by Community Housing Partners (CHP), the project was funded by a consortium that included Enterprise Community Partners and the Town of Blacksburg.

Public meetings—attended by local officials, neighborhood residents, and construction and funding partners—were held to collect stakeholders' input in the project. The Roanoke-Lee Street homes won Home Depot Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing Built Responsibly in 2007.

Environmental Aspects

Community Housing Partners set out to build affordable and environmentally responsible housing. Green building techniques and features were not a prerequisite of the town of Blacksburg, but CHP's consideration of the environment and the health of residents and the community led it to make them a priority.

The site itself offers many advantages, as it is located within a densely populated area, close to services and transportation.

The homes make use of advanced framing techniques to save lumber as well as paints and finishes with low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Energy Star lighting and appliances were used throughout, along with high-performance windows and high-efficiency heat pumps.

Conserving water was a goal of project team memers, so they specified dual-flush toilets as well as several outdoor strategies. Native landscaping requires little irrigation, much of which is provided with water collected in rain barrels. Stormwater infiltrates onsite through pervious paving and rain gardens.

Owner & Occupancy

  • Owned and occupied by Community Housing Partners, Individual(s)

Building Programs

Indoor Spaces:

Living quarters (100%)

Keywords

Design charrette, Green framework, Green specifications, Transportation benefits, Stormwater management, Water harvesting, Efficient fixtures and appliances, Efficient irrigation, Insulation levels, Glazing, Airtightness, HVAC, Efficient lighting, Durability, Recycled materials, Occupant recycling, Connection to outdoors, Daylighting, Ventilation effectiveness, Thermal comfort, Low-emitting materials

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Case Studies Database provided by the U.S. Department of Energy's
Building Technology Program, High Performance Buildings.