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Sol

Mohawk Valley

Mohawk Valey Region
BACK TO EARLY DESIGN SUPPORT PROJECTS

Evaluating Passive House Envelope, Systems, and Embodied Carbon for Scalable All-Electric Multifamily Buildings

BOE - Sol BOE - Sol

Sol

1818 Fifth Avenue, Troy, NY

4 Stories

71 Affordable units

55,000 Total sq ft. 

  • Sustainable Comfort, Inc
  • New Construction
  • Anticipated Completion: 2026
  • EDS Award: $244,815
  • PHIUS Core
  • ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction
  • DOE Net Zero Energy Ready
  • EPA Indoor AirPLUS

Key Scope Items Studied:

  1. Passive house feasibility and integration
  2. Energy conservation measures analysis
  3. Efficient and thermally bridge free detailing
  4. DHW system and induction ranges investigation
  5. BamCore and drain water heat recovery systems
  6. Embodied carbon systems and material analysis
  7. Feasibility of additional co benefits for residents
  8. Reviewing material database resources
  9. Resiliency such as emergency power, storm water mitigation, passive survivability
  10. Renewables and PV system
  11. Economic assessments
  • Disadvantaged Community Location
  • NYS DEC Potential Environmental Justice Area Location

Project Description

The Sol project, located in a New York State designated disadvantaged community in Troy, NY, is a 55,000 square foot, four-story multifamily housing and mixed-use development with 71 market-rate rental units. Sustainable Comfort, Inc. in collaboration with Rosenblum Development as the developer and REVEAL as the architect have designed the project to meet Passive House standards, targeting Phius 2021 CORE certification with key carbon neutral design highlights including a geothermal systems, an all-electric design, a roof-mounted photovoltaic array generating 133,000 kWh annually, and a highly efficient air-source heat pump system. The building will also incorporate smart building controls, LED lighting, and low-flow plumbing fixtures. The airtight envelope will provide energy savings of 85% over ASHRAE 90.1 baseline, and the use of low-VOC materials to enhance air quality. Additionally, the building will feature resilient design elements such as a semi-decentralized ventilation system, and passive survivability ensuring a safe, healthy and resilient structure.  The project will provide dedicated outdoor spaces in the highly walkable area and planned electric vehicle charging stations will further enhance the building's community connectivity. 

Early Design Support Project Scope

Funded Early Design Support study for Sol focuses on integrating Passive House principles, energy modeling, and energy conservation measures to optimize building performance. It investigates efficient, thermally bridge-free detailing, domestic hot water (DHW) systems, and the use of induction ranges to meet all-electric requirements. The study also explores innovative solutions like BamCore for structural efficiency and drain water heat recovery to further reduce energy consumption. Additionally, it includes an analysis of embodied carbon through material selection, aiming for sustainable construction. The study assesses potential co-benefits for residents, such as improved indoor air quality and health, as well as resiliency features like emergency power, stormwater mitigation, and passive survivability. Renewable energy integration, including photovoltaic systems, is explored to support the building's energy needs. Economic assessments are conducted to ensure the project remains financially feasible while meeting long-term goals.

The Buildings of Excellence Early Design Support Program

Buildings of Excellence Early Design Support (EDS) Partners are qualified design firms that are elevating new design approaches for a zero emission future in New York’s multifamily buildings that prioritize occupant health, safety, and comfort. Partners are eligible to receive up to $1.50/square foot in direct funding per project, up to a cap of $150,000 per project, to complete carbon neutral research, modeling, early-stage applications for third party standards, economic analyses, integrated project delivery meetings, and more robust marketing and promotion plans to disseminate information out to the market.