PORTSMOUTH GREEN BUILD ROW HOMES 
Location: Portland, Ore.
Certification: LEED-Gold
Cost: $123 per square foot
Builder: Terrafirma Building Inc., Portland
Architect: eM/Zed design architecture + planning, Portland
Interior Designer: Kismet Design, Portland  
Developer: Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Portland

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Portsmouth Green Build Row Homes

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Portsmouth Green Build Row Homes

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  David Papazian for Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  Within their compact footprint, the three-bedroom, two-bathroom homes' efficient space planning allows for amenities not often found in homes of this size or price range, such as generous entries, laundry rooms, and desk nooks. 

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  Courtesy PCRI

  Healthy, durable, and sustainable materials were a high priority, including easily maintained cork and linoleum flooring, Green Label Plus-certified carpets, and no-VOC paints.

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  Courtesy PCRI

  Energy Star refrigerators, dishwashers, and bath fans were chosen for all homes. Kitchen and bathroom cabinets are made of bamboo facing over locally sourced wood, and countertops are large porcelain tiles with minimal grout joints for heat-resistant, easy-to-clean surfaces.

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  Courtesy PCRI

  All faucets, showerheads, and toilets are Water Sense-rated fixtures. Glass and ceramic tile backsplashes complement the porcelain counters, adding a punch of color with minimal impact to the project's budget.

 

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The four homes in the infill development of Portsmouth Green Build Row provide a rare opportunity for low- to middle-income families to own a LEED-Gold certified home.

The net sales price of the homes is between $185,000 and $190,000 after a $40,000 down payment subsidy from the Portland Housing Bureau. Available to first-time buyers earning less than 80% of the local median family income--$71,200 for the Portland area--these funds helped to overcome one of the biggest hurdles for many home buyers: the down payment, says Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives project manager Travis Phillips.

Located on two corner lots, the project consists of two attached row homes oriented to maximize living space, daylighting, and privacy. The existing 70-year-old houses were deconstructed, and all materials suitable for recycling or reuse were redirected from the waste stream, with a diversion rate of 81%.

A variety of high-performance construction techniques were utilized, including adherence to a detailed framing order to minimize waste. Intermediate framing and raised-heel trusses helped to reduce thermal bridging and maximize insulation opportunities. To minimize moisture-related issues, below-grade foundation walls were damp-proofed, pressure-equalized continuous drainage planes with rainscreens behind the cladding were added to exterior walls, and windows and doors were fully flashed.

All four dwellings feature high-efficiency heating and cooling systems: two with 8.5 HSPF heat pumps and SEER 13 cooling systems, and two with 9.0 HSPF heat pumps and SEER 15 cooling systems connected to energy recovery ventilators.

Other sustainable features:
--energy-efficient double-pane windows with a 0.30 or better U-value
--all HVAC ductwork is located within conditioned space
--ducts were mastic sealed for efficiency and durability
--94%+ efficient Marathon electric water heaters

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