A BE+ Green Building of the Year Finalist in 2023, 31 Tufts Street exemplifies the intersection of sustainability, affordability, and active community involvement. The project is comprised of 16 affordable and workforce housing units and highly sustainable design features to meet Passive House certification.
Prior to construction, the parcel was a parking lot. The City of Somerville released an RFP for redevelopment in 2019, citing their community’s needs for more affordable housing, climate-conscience design, and public space. In response, WW delivered a high performance building of rental units for families of varying sizes. The design and construction have received Passive House certification. A corner pocket park is available for residents and neighbors.
The building boasts several sustainability features that set it apart from typical development in Somerville. It operates entirely on electricity, with no reliance on natural gas. Solar photovoltaic panels installed on the roof contribute to offsetting the building’s electrical energy consumption. Moreover, the pocket park incorporates landscape elements designed to manage stormwater, mitigate the urban heat island effect, sequester carbon dioxide, and enhance air quality. Pervious pavers, on-site bioswales, and below grade storm water retention tanks capture the on-site rainwater to help recharge the water table and reduce runoff.
All units are designed to maximize natural sunlight and are compartmentalized for air tightness and acoustical separation. They also feature energy-saving equipment such as low-flow plumbing fixtures, Energy Star rated appliances, hybrid hot water heaters, in-unit laundry, LED lighting, and energy recovery ventilation. 31 Tufts has achieved PHIUS’s Design Certification and is anticipating achieving full Passive House Certification in Spring of 2024.