All units in phase 7 of the Salishan mixed-income community are …
All units in phase 7 of the Salishan mixed-income community are slab-on-grade and have R-15 rigid insulation in the foundation.
Hedrich Blessing
Bioswales allow 98% of the community’s stormwater, including r…
Bioswales allow 98% of the community’s stormwater, including roof runoff, to percolate on-site.
Hedrich Blessing
Common green spaces foster a sense of community. They’re plant…
Common green spaces foster a sense of community. They’re planted entirely with native drought-resistant species and drought-resistant turf.
Hedrich Blessing
The houses, most of them attached, feature regionally appropriat…
The houses, most of them attached, feature regionally appropriate Craftsman detailing and colors.
Hedrich Blessing
Walsh Construction used thermal imaging and blower door technolo…
Walsh Construction used thermal imaging and blower door technology during construction to diagnose unforeseen problems and fix exterior walls before they were closed in. Each home achieved a rating of 2.5 air changes per hour at 50 Pascals or less.
The Salishan neighborhood in Tacoma, Wash., has come a long way from its World War II days as temporary housing for shipyard workers. Thanks to redevelopment efforts begun in 2002, Salishan is now a mixed-income community filled with appealing Craftsman-style homes. But the final phase stands out, even while blending in stylistically: 91 Sec. 8 rental units were ramped up to LEED-Platinum level, the first HOPE VI project to do so.
With the rest of the 200-acre community at LEED-Silver, phase 7 presented the Tacoma Housing Authority with the perfect storm: recession pricing and accumulated savings from earlier phases.
The new buildings feature a tight super-insulated envelope and triple-pane windows; reduced heat loads are met by single 17-SEER mini-split ductless systems in each unit. Urea-formaldehyde-free interiors, hard-surface flooring, and a whole-house fan are just a few of the many other features that add to the development’s overall performance.