Case Study: Quarters at Cameron House

Project Goals
The Quarters at Cameron House is among the first multi-family developments to use both Austin Energy’s Green Building Rating and the University Neighborhood Overlay (UNO) design guidelines. The primary purpose of the UNO guidelines is to centralize student housing in the West Campus area of the University of Texas (UT). By creating affordable, high quality housing near the University, the city hopes to reduce student reliance on automobiles and mitigate sprawl. West Campus is now the densest residential neighborhood in Austin. To manage the increase in population, the design guidelines call for people-friendly outdoor walkways, increased public transportation options, and off-street parking, which helps to keep bike lanes and sidewalks clear.

The project team also aimed to create a healthy indoor environment, which can help improve student performance and overall well-being. (See the U.S. EPA publication, “Indoor Air Quality & Student Performance.”)

Project Name/Location	Rating	Completion Date	Cost/ft2 (excludes land)
Quarters at Cameron House 2707 Rio Grande	3-Star	September 29, 2006	not available

Project Description
The Quarters at Cameron House provides apartment housing for UT students. The project team, led by Simmons Vedder and Monarch Consulting, sat down with the contractor early in the design stage and used the Austin Energy Green Building Rating as a brainstorming tool. After researching the points in the rating tool, the team decided to go for a higher rating than the one star required by the UNO guidelines. According to Michelle Van Hyfte, sustainability consultant for Monarch, “We said, let’s see how far we can take it. Let’s get as many points as we can and see what we can achieve.” As a result, the project received a three-star rating. The team chose to focus on creating healthy and energy-efficient apartments while enhancing the people-friendly streetscape of the community.

To ensure a healthy indoor environment, the project team used super-low-VOC paints and installed predominantly hard surface flooring. (Although a more affordable alternative, carpet and the adhesives used to install it can reduce indoor air quality by off-gassing pollutants and harboring allergens.) Controlling temperature and humidity, ventilating adequately, eliminating construction dusts and contamination, and minimizing toxic cleaning products also improve the Quarters’ indoor environment.

To help ensure an airtight thermal envelope, and therefore reduce heating and cooling costs, the Quarters at Cameron House invested in Insulation Contact Air Tight (ICAT) recessed lighting. ICAT fixtures with compact fluorescent light bulbs safely reduce air leaks and are as attractive as standard recessed lighting. Standard recessed lights generate heat and leak air, but insulating them can create a fire hazard. While initially more expensive, ICAT lighting improves building performance and reduces energy costs—a big payoff for a modest investment.

The parking garage is behind the building, preserving the streetscape for mixed uses and pleasant walkways. Neighborhood shops occupy about 10,000 square feet of street-level space, making it a walkable, people-friendly destination.

Project Features

Site:

• High density housing: about 95 units per acre
• Incorporates mixed-use design
• Parking garage hidden behind building

Water:

• Drip irrigation system used for planted areas
• Low-water use ENERGY STAR® clothes washers

Energy & Atmosphere:

• HVAC commissioning: 37.8 kW saved and 42 condensing unit tons saved
• All recessed can lights are ICAT sealed type
• All installed appliances are ENERGY STAR labeled

Materials & Resources:

• Recycling bins provided for each apartment
• 50% or more of flooring made from durable material
• Excess building materials salvaged or donated to Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Indoor Environmental Quality:

• Super-low-VOC paints
• All finish flooring installed with no-VOC adhesives
• Carbon monoxide detectors installed in every apartment

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