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Ride Along for NZ Development

20Terra | Posted in General Questions on

Hello,

My partner and I have just began design of a 30-unit NZ multifamily building in Royal Oak, MI (climate zone 5A). I’m a big fan of this blog and thought the project would be a cool opportunity for some type of min-series chronicling our endeavor. It could include design considerations with the architect, gaining city approvals, cost considerations and where we had to sacrifice efficiency, building challenges, and customer response to the building.  Our goal is to bring net-zero construction to the market and prove both the feasibility of this type of construction and show its potential for improved financial return. Please let me know if you’re interested in chatting, thanks!

PS I could not find a good email for GBA contact so I’m positing to the general blog.

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Replies

  1. mr_reference_Hugh | | #1

    This would be interesting to follow. We need more multi-units that are well built. We all want our single family homes (me included) but that is not the way to house an ever growing population.

  2. Expert Member
    BILL WICHERS | | #2

    You're right in my backyard (I'm in Clarkston), so I'd be interested to see what you're planning. Royal Oak is a little easier to deal with than they were some years back, so that should make things a little easier for you hopefully.

    Bill

    1. 20Terra | | #3

      We hope. Early indications are that the city would love to see some net-zero construction, but we still need to make it through the planning and approval process, likely by early Spring

      1. Expert Member
        BILL WICHERS | | #4

        I think your biggest hurdle in that city will be finding enough physical space to put in enough solar. If you're in the downtown area, it's gotten pretty dense -- not much extra room. Maybe you will end up with a net-small instead of net-zero, offsetting most, but not all, of your facilities energy use. That would still be improvement though, so I wouldn't be discourged if you can't quite hit net-zero.

        Bill

        1. 20Terra | | #5

          My baseline assumptions are about 18,000 sf @ 22 kBtu/sf...assuming 1300 kWh per kW of solar installed in MI, and 400W panels at 15sf each, I think we could get there with 3500-4000 sf of coverage. We.have two lots purchased, one downtown and one just outside of town on 4th St., both could accommdate this.

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