Certified at the Bronze level under the National Green Building Standard, Wingate Manor — a 48-unit, three-story complex in Shiloh, Ill. — exemplifies the latest efforts by state housing authorities to encourage tax-credit assisted affordable rental housing to be built to green standards.

Developed by the Gundaker Commercial Group, based in Chesterfield, Mo., the affordable apartment complex in suburban St. Louis, which serves low-income residents aged 62 and older, was built with energy- and water-efficient features to help its residents save on their utility bills. Wingate Manor was partially funded by the Illinois Housing Development Agency.

“We understand that building green is not a fad — it’s an important trend,” said Greg Lee, a senior vice president at Gundaker.

He said Wingate Manor was developed incorporating green features that would have the largest impact on its residents — including energy-efficient construction techniques, Energy Star-rated appliances, fluorescent lighting and low-VOC paints.

Lee said that Wingate Manor — which was named a Multifamily Project of the Year at the 2010 National Green Building Conference in Raleigh, N.C. — incorporated such water- and energy- conservation features as water-saving fixtures and hot water heaters installed adjacent to kitchens and bathrooms. To prevent mold growth, he said Gundaker kept the moisture content in wall cavities below 14%.

Lee also said that the apartment building’s plumbing lines were installed in the complex’s interior walls and that green and recycled materials were used extensively. Forty percent of Wingate Manor’s hard surfaces were covered with recycled flooring materials, he said.

To encourage recycling by the residents, each apartment contains recycling bins, with recycling collected by Wingate Manor staff on a regular basis.

Wingate Manor near St. Louis exemplifies the latest efforts by state housing authorities to encourage tax-credit assisted affordable rental housing to be built to green standards.

Wingate Manor is part of a 172-acre master-planned community with easy access to major shopping, a community college and downtown St. Louis. When completed, the community will include 268 single-faimily homes at four price points, 25,000 square feet of office and medical space, 90,000 square feet of specialty retail and an elementary school.

A joint venture including five builders and two developers, Gundaker is developing the commercial and multifamily components of the community, Lee said.

Lee said Gundaker is considering developing one-and two-story villa-style homes for seniors in the master planned community that will be built to green standards and incorporate universal design principles.

He also said the homes would have garages that would be large enough to park a van, with additional space so that residents can easily maneuver their wheelchair or electric scooter.

'National Green Building Standard’ Available at BuilderBooks.com

“The National Green Building Standard,” available through BuilderBooks.com, provides “green” practices that can be incorporated into multifamily and single-family new home construction, home remodeling and additions and site development.

The standard covers lot design, resource, energy and water efficiency; indoor environment quality; and owner education.

Currently the first and only ANSI-approved green building rating system, the National Green Building Standard is the benchmark for green homes.

To view or purchase this publication online, click here.

'National Green Building Standard Commentary' Available at BuilderBooks.com

The "National Green Building Standard Commentary," available through BuilderBooks.com and a companion to the ANSI approved "National Green Building Standard," that provides valuable insight to the intention and implementations of the practices and provisions found in the green building standard.

The "Commentary" is a useful resource for any designer or builder using the ICC 700-2008 as a rating system for developing or renovating residential properties of all types to reduce their relative impact.

To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.

More Than 5,000 People Have Earned Their Certified Green Professional (CGP) Designation

The Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation teaches builders, remodelers and other industry professionals techniques for incorporating green building principles into homes using cost-effective and affordable options.

Earning the CGP demonstrates to clients and peers your commitment to the best and latest in green building practices and techniques. More than 5,400 people have earned the CGP designation to date.

For more information, visit www.nahb.org/CGPinfo.

'Build Green and Save’ Available at BuilderBooks.com

“Build Green and Save: Protecting the Earth and Your Bottom Line,” available through BuilderBooks.com, is a comprehensive, easy-to-read reference that shows builders how to identify and select green building materials; implement green construction techniques; explain the benefits of green housing and offer affordable green building solutions to consumers; and use resources wisely and reduce water and energy consumption.

To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.

For answers to questions about National Green Building Certification by the NAHB Research Center, certification to the standard or the guideline sunset, complete and submit the Contact Us form on the NAHBGreen website.