text: Seattle multifamily project wins ASHRAE Technology Award
  Seattle's Stack House Apartments have earned an ASHRAE Technology Award for the engineer behind the multifamily project's innovative and energy-efficient building systems. Jonathan Heller, principal engineer with Ecotope Inc., takes first place in the residential category, and will be among five North American winners to be honoured for design achievements at ASHRAE's 2016 Winter Conference later this month.
  The three-building complex, which was completed in 2013, covers a full block of Seattle's South Lake Union neighbourhood, encompassing 333 residential units and retail space in two newly constructed buildings and the adaptive reuse of a historic commercial building. The project is certified LEED Platinum and was named the U.S. Green Building Council's outstanding multifamily project in the 2013 LEED for Homes Awards.
  The ASHRAE Technology Awards recognize innovative design supporting energy efficiency and indoor air quality. The Seattle multifamily apartments have recorded some of the lowest energy-use intensities in the U.S. pacific northwest — measured at 19.8 kBtu/square foot/year and 27.1 kBtu/square foot/year in the two buildings.
  Innovative mechanical systems include a central heat pump water heating system in the larger of the two buildings, ductless heat pumps in 40 per cent of the apartment units and common spaces, and rainwater recovery and reuse for rooftop urban gardening. Two bio-swales provide primary treatment for storm water runoff.