Sustainable Spaces | Leed Certified Buildings | Eco Building | Leed Design

Quick Links:
Green Construction
Indoor Air Quality
Energy Efficiency
Water Savings

From day one, Solera began as a commitment. A commitment to our planet, a commitment to Denver, and a commitment to those who choose to live here. We wanted to design and build a residential project that makes it easy for residents to live - or be - green. Our efforts have paid off. Solera is projected to be the first LEED Gold Certified multi-family building in the Rocky Mountain Region. We're thrilled to be the only apartment building of its kind in downtown Denver and one of only a few dozen to achieve this hard-earned distinction in the country.

Solera is dedicated to sustainable construction because the built environment--including homes, offices, and factories--makes such a huge impact on the planet.

Did you know?

Buildings represent 72% of US electricity consumption.
Buildings use 13.6% of all potable water, or 15 trillion gallons per year.
Buildings use 40% of raw materials globally, or 3 billion tons annually.
Construction waste accounts for 40% of the land fill waste generated annually.
Buildings are one of the heaviest consumers of natural resources and account for a significant. portion of the greenhouse gas emissions that affect climate change.
In the U.S. buildings account for 38% of all CO2 emissions.

Solera's LEED Gold certification isn't just about green construction. It's also about empowering you to understand and better manage your energy use and committing to a more efficient use of the Earth's natural resources. Here are some of the sustainability features of Solera:

Personal Energy Monitor - in your apartment there is a real-time power usage display that tracks day-to-day and monthly energy use, allowing you to make smarter, more economic energy decisions that not only help the earth, but help your bank account.
Energy Star appliances and front-loading clothes washers and dryers.
Low-e, Argon-filled windows prevent the transference of heat, that means in the winter your warm air stays in and in the summer it stays out.
High-efficiency lighting which contributes to energy conservation.
Programmable thermostats that reduce energy use.

At Solera, we guarantee the use of at least 10% recycled content in building materials.
On the roof you'll find an advanced white, "TPO" membrane. This reduces the building's heat island effect and keeps the top floor units cooler than those in a typical apartment building.
During construction, we are achieving a nearly unprecedented 75%-level of recycling of construction waste. Know how much a typical construction project recycles? About 5%.
Trim and cabinetry will be Forest Stewardship Council approved. The Forest Stewardship Council was created in 1993 to establish forest management standards to assure that forestry practices are environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable.
We invested in extensive subcontractor training on the construction of a sustainable building because that's where the hammer meets the nail.

Back to top

Indoor Air Quality
The indoor air we breathe has a tremendous impact on our health. Many of the building materials that have become standards in typical apartments, due to lower cost or simply convention, are known to be toxic to humans. Why not find a better way?

Solera was designed and built with a commitment to better indoor air quality. Here are some of the ways:

Solera is a 100 percent smoke-free environment. Smoking is not permitted in the apartments or the common areas.
All wood products in Solera have no added urea-formaldehyde, which was identified as a cause of ill health effects including asthma.
Low-volatile organic compound materials were selected to protect the indoor air quality of the building. Though typically more expensive, the paints, carpets, sealants, adhesives, moulding and cabinetry were painstakingly selected to ensure
lower VOC's.
Duct openings are sealed and dust suppressants are used to reduce construction contamination.
Once construction is complete, our commitment doesn't stop there. Building maintenance plays an important role in preserving indoor air-quality. Solera utilizes only USGBC-approved green cleaning supplies to ensure the safety of Solera's indoor air.

Back to top

Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency plays an important role in Solera's sustainable status. Energy efficient features can be found
in every apartment and throughout the building's
common areas.

Based on Solera's energy model, the building is projected to be more energy efficient than simply a building-code compliant building, in fact 50% more. Here's how Solera achieves this savings:

99% efficient water boiler.
Low-e, Argon-filled windows keep you warm in the winter, cool in the summer and happy all year long.
R-21 blown-in cellulose insulation (made of recycled newspaper) is safe and environmentally friendly way to insulate your apartment.
A combination of LED and compact fluorescent lighting; and the use of lighting sensors and motion sensors throughout common and parking areas keep you safe and effortlessly saves money and energy.
Programmable thermostats allow you to reduce energy consumption while you're away, yet will adjust the temperature for your return home like an energy efficient temperature butler.
Energy-Star appliances.
A substantial roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system and a Solar Renter Program that enables you to power your apartment from the power generated on the roof.

Back to top

Water Savings
All homes have dual-flush toilets, high-performance, water-saving fixtures and high-efficiency, front-loading clothes washers that combine to save more than 35% of water compared to a like-size building.

Due to Colorado's restrictive water laws that outlaw the use of rainwater or "greywater" recycling, Solera has partnered with Denver Water to water the property's trees. Denver Water will allow Solera to obtain recycled water from its operations that will be stored in an elevated on-site water tank and gravity fed to irrigate trees throughout the year thereby using no potable water for irrigation.
Back to top