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The new Monterey Street Mixed Use complex, located in the heart of San Luis Obispo, has received LEED certification. The project provides close to 70,000 SF of commercial and residential spaces. Three existing qualified historic buildings were combined with new infill shell buildings to create a two- and three-story complex with retail stores, restaurants, a pedestrian plaza and 60 studio and 1-bedroom apartments.
The California Multifamily New Homes (CMFNH) Program recently recognized the energy team at In Balance Green Consulting for excellence in energy consulting. The program is open to new multifamily construction and offers three tiers of cash incentives for energy performance, as well as “kickers” for additional measures such as 100% LED lighting, Energy Star Tier II appliances, high performance walls and fenestration, etc.
Last month, the City of Long Beach received the good news that the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library has earned LEED Silver certification. Replacing the old North Library built in the 1950’s, the new library is a state of the art 24,655 SF single story facility that includes reading and activity areas for children, teens, and adults, as well as three public community meeting spaces.
Within a few years of LEED setting the standard for green building, occupancy surveys were starting to reveal a gap: many occupants were unhappy with the acoustics – noise, noise, noise! Open offices provided great daylight, views, and air movement, but the work environment suffered from inadequate sound isolation. At the same time, carpet and soft goods that can degrade indoor air quality were transitioning to hard surfaces, inadvertently creating echo chambers.
