Hook & Ladder Apartments people held a building tour for neighborhood and arts leaders September 27 before the landscaping went in. The “passive” building bordering Washington Street is essentially done, the one that is set back along the 24th and Jefferson corner (of more traditional construction) still had a ways to go.
Because this is a first multi-family project built to passive house standards, Frerichs Construction workers got special training in Vermont. Planners wanted the buildings to be as alike as possible, as a real-time laboratory to see differences in energy efficiency. In the traditional building, each unit has its own heating with exhaust panel on the outside. In the passive building, all units are on a central heat source and fewer, smaller interruptions in the building envelope. Thick walls and windows minimize heat loss.
Common areas, art room and underground parking are in the traditional building. The passive building has covered but open parking. Various pieces by local artists will be installed on site soon and in the spring. Open to all tenants meeting income guidelines, the building management would like to foster an artist community.
Below: Representatives of the architecture firm, builder, passive house consultant, and developer Becky Landon (at right) conducted a tour for neighborhood and arts leaders and First Ward Council Member Kevin Reich. Photo shows the difference between the traditional building with a heating unit for each apartment on left, compared to the passive building which has smaller heat exchange ducts to the outdoors. (Photo by Margo Ashmore)