Apartment Choice

Climate Change, Development & Aid, Economy & Trade, Energy, Environment, Global Governance, Headlines, North America, Poverty & SDGs Enrique Gili* - IPS/IFEJ POWAY, California, Oct 26 2007 (IPS) - Mary Jane Jagodzinzki nervously anticipated the arrival of a busload of building professionals . As it turned out, she needn&#39t have been too concerned. Solara green housing project in Poway, California. Credit: Enrique Gili/IPS" src="http://www.ipsnews.net/Library/solara_final.jpg" alt=" Solara green housing project in Poway, California. Credit: Enrique Gili/IPS" width="200" height="150" /> Solara green housing project in Poway, California. Credit: Enrique Gili/IPS Forty or so camera-toting architects, project managers and contractors arrived en masse in the bedroom community of Poway, north of San Diego, part of a green building tour showcasing a pioneering apartment complex that's saving money and helping the pl...

A new apartment community in San Diego County is proving that green is both beautiful and affordable. SOLARA is a part of a mixed-use development from Community Housing Works that includes 56 fully solar -powered homes. Sun power is only a part of this smart green growth development which also features energy -efficient designs, healthy materials , water conserving equipment , and high recycled content throughout – even in the community art installations . This model project is the result of collective efforts between the city of Poway, Community Housing Works , and Global Green USA . Together with Rodriguez Associates Architects & Planners the development team produced one-, two- and three- bedroom units priced between $388-$1,075 per month, depending on occupants’ income. SOLARA apartments are affordable upfront and in operating costs with energy saving features like passive solar orientation , cool roofs, low-e windows, Energy Star appliances , and tankless boilers for h...