Affordable Housing Development in Southeast DC receives Passive House Institute certification

Washington, DC – The Asberry at Barry Farm, a mixed-use building with 108 affordable rental apartments with a preference for those aged 55+, has received Passive House Institute US certification, a rigorous standard of energy efficiency in construction that reduces carbon emissions while also creating comfortable indoor living spaces.

Passive conservation strategies, also referred to as passive building principles, reduce heating and cooling demands on an annual and peak basis. Buildings are awarded for optimizing investment in passive and active conservation strategies to achieve superior performance and quality construction. They generally include improved thermal performance of the building enclosure, high performance windows, optimized solar gain, air-tightness, and balanced ventilation, conserving energy in features such as lighting, appliances, mechanical systems, infrastructure for the current and future charging of electric vehicles. All Phius projects require stringent on-site inspection and testing throughout the construction process.

“The PHIUS standard is spurring substantial improvement in the performance of buildings in the multifamily sector across the country,” said Jay Hall, PhD of Jay Hall and Associates (PHIUS Verifier MF). “The Asberry is the first PHIUS multifamily project built under the commercial building code in Washington DC, making it one of the most energy efficient and comfortable buildings in the world. The residents of this outstanding building will be benefitting from the careful planning and work POAH put into its construction for many years to come.”

In addition to the PHIUS Certification, the Asberry received the following formal Certifications: ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction v1.1 (ESMFNC), Indoor AirPlus (IAP), and Zero Energy Ready Home Multifamily v2 (ZERH). Compliance with these voluntary above-code programs provide assurance of both a quality design, and installation during construction. The result is a high performing building, in terms of a heathy indoor environment, improved comfort, durability, energy efficiency, and environmental responsibility.

The original Barry Farm – Hillsdale community was established in 1867 for formerly enslaved African-Americans to own land and create a self-sustaining community after the Civil War. This legacy continued through the Barry Farm Dwellings, the public housing community constructed in the 1940s which POAH is replacing with new, updated housing and amenities.

In 2013 POAH partnered with the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) and the office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) under the New Communities Initiative to develop a vibrant mixed-use, mixed-income development at the Barry Farm site.

Phase 1 of the redevelopment also made significant improvements to the site's infrastructure and surrounding roads including new public utility systems, “green” eco-friendly landscaping and facilities for on-site services and programs. Phase II will include additional multifamily buildings and townhomes, plus a community center and park. POAH plans to integrate five residential buildings that were designated as historic landmarks in 2020 into the community through a careful redesign that will honor their special place in the history of this community. See more at barryfarmredevelopment.org

“The involvement of many great partners helped us achieve this goal,” said POAH Vice President of Real Estate Development Maia Shanklin Roberts. “This included EDG Architects for their engagement with the PHIUS requirements, Passive to Positive for their CPHC design support services, and Hamel Builders for their collaboration during an intricate construction process.”

About POAH: Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) is a nonprofit developer, owner and operator of more than 14,000 affordable rental homes in thirteen states and the District of Columbia. POAH’s mission is to preserve, create and sustain affordable, healthy homes that support economic security and access to opportunity for all. www.poah.org @poahcommunities