Highland Yard Energy Positive Housing

In response to a request for proposals from the Boston Department of Neighborhood Development’s E+ Green Building Program, Utile and New Atlantic Development proposed the development of energy-positive, mixed-income housing in the Roxbury area of Boston. Highland Yard consists of 18 units designed to exceed the highest standards for energy conservation. The siting and design of the building at once takes advantage of the south facing slope for solar orientation as well as the opportunity to fill-in a large missing tooth in the residential fabric of Highland Street. The neighborhood consists of single, two-family, and smaller townhouses along with multifamily homes, and accordingly Highland Yard’s multiple single entries on the street and rowhouse rhythm retain that character. Like a traditional townhouse, all units have front and rear exposures that not only enhance the sense of “home” ownership, but also enable natural cross-ventilation and greater access to daylight and passive solar benefits.