Nov 18 2009
The launch of what is likely to become the most eco-friendly neighborhood on a military establishment was celebrated by the Army Hawaii Family Housing LLC (AHFH) along with over 100 guests. One of the top-notch residential communities in the vicinity of the US Army’s Pacific headquarters located at Fort Shafter was invited to take part in a pilot program called LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) sponsored by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
Spearheaded by .the US Army and the Actus Lend Lease housing development company, the program will involve developing the Simpson Wisser neighborhood after the establishment and evaluation of a primary national standard. The development plan will involve a combination of eco-friendly building principles and methods to improve the life, culture and growth of the neighborhood.
Dignitaries from Actus, the US Army and the Hawaiian congressional attended the open house presentation of the neighborhood and the formal Hawaiian blessing, which marked the launch of the pilot program. AHFH residents will also be taking part in an orientation program that will focus on teaching them the means to incorporate green and energy-efficient features in their living spaces and surroundings. The two-hour session is also aimed at encouraging residents to adopt eco-friendly practices in their everyday tasks as well as creating awareness and educating residents who have the highest level of opportunity to make a favorable impact on their community.
Claire Ridding-Johnston, the project director of AHFH observed that the eco-friendly building techniques propagated by the company are not restricted to creating building designs for the Simpson Wisser neighborhood but extend to providing them with an opportunity for contributing towards the development of a neighborhood that houses the US Army staff and their families. As a result, the company hopes to bring about a transformation in the way the world perceives residential development.
A LEED-ND certification is expected to be bestowed on the Simpson Wisser neighborhood in 2010, subject to its compliance with sustainable development standards covering environmental responsibility, energy efficiency, conservation of endangered species, healthy living and social wellbeing provisions, pedestrian-oriented development and reduction of urban sprawl by maintaining adequate density. In addition, construction and design specifications under LEED-certified standards will be issued, which have to be met or exceeded by the neighborhood. A third party will duly audit the site and design plan prior to certification.
Towards achieving compliance with the green building protocols outlined for the pilot program, training is planned to be imparted to workers involved in property maintenance, management and construction subcontracting, on best practices. Upon completion of the project, the Simpson Wisser neighborhood will serve as a prototype for other nationwide sustainable neighborhood projects.
AHFH is also known as one of the largest communities of the world powered by solar energy. The company is known for large-scale installation of PV systems for new housing units, which are capable of serving a maximum of 30% of the power requirements of its communities. AHFH’s projects have resulted in substantial cost savings for the government, which are redirected into establishing and maintaining high quality living infrastructure for US defense service personnel and their families.