2024 USGBC-CA Green Building Awards
Merit in Environmental Justice
The Village SF integrates impactful strategies to achieve its sustainability and environmental justice goals. One of its key sustainability features is the use of mass timber framing, which significantly reduces the building’s carbon footprint by sequestering carbon, a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional steel framing. The project also incorporates a “breathing skin” design with operable windows and a vertical terracotta lattice to reduce reliance on artificial heating, cooling, and lighting. The building’s systems include advanced HVAC, all-electric appliances, and a green and white cool roof to minimize energy consumption and operational carbon. Together, these features create a highly efficient, resource-saving facility addressing both operational and embodied carbon.
The Village SF also emphasizes equity and environmental justice. Led by Friendship House, the project serves the American Indian/Alaska Native community, addressing systemic inequities by providing essential services, such as medical care, substance abuse treatment, and cultural healing spaces. It also prioritizes environmental justice by integrating traditional indigenous practices and nature-based solutions. A rooftop garden will produce over 4,000 pounds of traditional foods annually, while a tree canopy and green workforce initiative will help capture carbon and provide economic opportunities through job training in green industries.
The Village SF’s holistic approach to sustainability and social justice earned them the Green Building Initiative’s 2023 ACCESS award. This program annually provides a complementary Green Globes assessment and certification to a project creating positive impacts for its local community.
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The use of native-sourced Mass Timber framing significantly reduces the project's carbon footprint by sequestering carbon as compared to traditional steel framing.
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The LCA found that the total carbon emissions avoided is equivalent to the amount sequestered by 328 acres of forest per year.
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The project's design includes a “breathing skin” envelope with operable windows and vertical terracotta lattice.
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These features will modulate airflow and access to daylight which reduces the need for artificial heating, cooling, and lighting.
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Other sustainability features include advanced HVAC systems, all electric appliances, a green and white cool roof, low-carbon concrete, and a rainwater catchment system.
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There are plans for planting a tree canopy to enhance the areas carbon capture capacity, reduce urban heat island effect, and enhance air quality.