Denver, Colorado (7 December 2009) Renaissance Riverfront Lofts in Denver was recently awarded second place in the Commercial category of the Colorado Sustainable Design Awards.
Located on a 1.43-acre former asphalt production site, Renaissance Riverfront Lofts is the first affordable housing developed by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless to employ sustainable design concepts. Designed by PageSoutherlandPage, this public-private-nonprofit collaboration incorporates two important city initiatives – Denver’s Road Home and the Greener Denver program of the Office of Economic Development – in support of important social, economic and environmental goals. The 100-unit mixed-income development, located in River North in Denver, is within walking distance to downtown.

Sustainable features
• Fifty percent of the construction waste was recycled and site runoff was controlled to avoid water contamination.
• The building’s double “C” footprint and orientation maximize natural light through south and west exposures and protects against buffeting northwest winds.
• Rooftop photovoltaic panels will generate 39,650 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, equivalent to offsetting carbon dioxide emissions by 79,000 pounds a year.
• The building’s Ecospace elevators use one-third of the energy required for hydraulic lifts and don’t need oil.
• Energy Star appliances and light fixtures in all units further conserve energy while low-flow toilets, faucets and showers save water.

 Judges’ comments
"This project from the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless blends strong architecture with environmental features and a strong emphasis on social sustainability, including its proximity to a river and public transportation. The economic impact of getting people off the street can’t be overstated. This project speaks well of us as a society.“

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