Project Description

The "MINNESOTA GREEN AFFORDABLE HOUSING GUIDE" is a web-based resource to assist designers, contractors, and housing agencies integrate affordability and sustainability for cold climate housing. The design tool is intended for new affordable housing construction; however, it is also a valuable resource for integrating cost effective sustainable design strategies in all new residential construction. It includes comparative analyses of numerous house sizes and configurations to evaluate the costs, environmental impacts, and energy performance of different construction components, assemblies, and systems. Design guidelines, resources, best practices, and case studies are also included.

The environmental outcomes of the project are to improve the following aspects of performance for affordable housing in Minnesota at the site and building scales: 1) reduce site and building associated pollution, waste, and environmental impacts; 2) improve residential building performance and energy efficiency; 3) improve indoor environmental quality; and 4) reduce construction and operating waste.

Credits

Principle Investigators:
John Carmody, Director, CSBR
Mary Guzowski, Associate Professor, Department of Architecture

Project Manager:
Billy Weber, Research Fellow, CSBR

Project Team:
Rebecca Foss, Research Fellow, CSBR
Kerry Haglund, Information Technology Specialist, CSBR
Mindy Michael, Research Assistant

Advisors:
Erin Barnes-Driscoll, Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance
Rosemary Dolata, LHB
Pat Huelman, Director, Cold Climate Housing Program, University of Minnesota
John Klockmann, Chair, Affordable Housing Task Force, American Institute of Architects National Committee
Tom Schirber, Community Housing Liason
Jim Solem, Senior Researcher, Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, University of Minnesota

Sponsors
Amherst H. Wilder Foundation
Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance

Acknowledgments

The "MINNESOTA GREEN AFFORDABLE HOUSING GUIDE" has been developed with support from the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, and the Department of Architecture.