A luxury apartment complex built with energy- and water-efficient features and within walking distance of the Johnson Space Center in Houston has become the largest project to be certified by the NAHB Research Center to the National Green Building Standard.

Voyager at the Space Center — a 313-unit apartment development in Nassau Bay, Texas — met specific benchmarks in energy-, water- and resource-efficiency; indoor environmental quality; lot and site development; and operation and maintenance education to qualify for the standard, the first green residential rating system to be approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

This is the 15th multifamily building to be certified to the standard, according to the NAHB Research Center. There are eight more awaiting certification.

The project was developed by Martin Fein Interests, a member of the Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA) that also builds apartment buildings and commercial developments in Austin, Texas, and in Denver.

"Green is booming in the Lone Star State, and I am delighted to see green building become accessible not just to Texas home buyers but also to renters," said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones.

Built on the site of a former government office building, the project earned points for reusing the parking lot to increase density and for its proximity to employment and retail centers.

The landscaping was designed to minimize the need for irrigation, and environmentally friendly finishes were used throughout the project. All of the units feature Energy Star-rated appliances, and the developer expects that the lower energy costs and other benefits associated with green construction will be highly appealing to potential residents.

"This certification is further evidence of the National Green Building Standard's flexibility in ensuring sustainable construction techniques for all kinds of housing," said NAHB Research Center President Mike Luzier. "Whether it's a single-family home, a remodeling project, a residential land development or a multifamily building like The Voyager at Space Center, certification by an accredited third party provides assurance that these projects are built green."

"The Greater Houston Builders Association, which has adopted the National Green Building Standard for the association's local Green Built Gulf Coast program, applauds Martin Fein Interests for meeting the benchmarks set by the ANSI standard at The Voyager at Space Center Houston," said GHBA President Kevin Holland of Cervelle Homes. "The Voyager is the largest project to be built to the ANSI standard, and represents the growing movement within both multifamily and single-family residential to offer customers the highest standards in green building."

For more information, e-mail Calli Schmidt at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8132.