The Kennedy Homes Affordable Housing Project Wins Two Honors
The Kennedy Homes affordable housing project in Fort Lauderdale has won two awards from different entities.
By Dees Stribling, Contributing Editor
Fort Lauderdale—The Kennedy Homes affordable housing project in Fort Lauderdale has won two awards from different entities. The U.S. Green Building Council South Florida Chapter honored the project with its Gala Verde: The 2013 LEEDership and Green Award for the best Midrise Residential Project, while the City of Fort Lauderdale has given the development, which was completed in June, a Community Appearance Award.
The Kennedy Home’s 11 buildings, ranging from one to five stories, feature eight new residential structures that have 132 units. The property includes 40 one-bedroom units, 83 two- and three-bedroom units and three existing structures that have been readapted for community use. It’s on a 1940s public housing site and is LEED Gold.
Carlisle Development Group developed the property, which is located on an 8.5-acre green space within the city of Fort Lauderdale, and is near the historical Sailboat Bend neighborhood. The Housing Authority City of Fort Lauderdale owns Kennedy Homes.
According to the architecture firm Glavovic Studio, which designed the property, Kennedy Homes uses conventional modular construction and is informed by South Florida’s climate characteristics, with a focus on natural ventilation, natural light and air movement across living spaces. One way Glavovic achieved sustainability for the property was by putting a large percentage number of units at a higher position above the ground to take advantage of prevailing breezes. That reduces the need for air conditioning most of the year, possibly eliminating it during the winter.
The natural ventilation is augmented by means of low energy-consumptive ceiling fans in the living rooms and bedrooms. To help catch and direct the natural breezes and to maintain minimal temperature rise during daylight hours, all wall openings are shaded or framed.
Other sustainable features include energy-efficient materials, low VOC paints, adhesives and carpets, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, local supplied materials and pervious pavement to minimize storm-water run-off. Individual units have thermal and lighting controls, and the property sports outdoor lighting that minimizes light pollution to adjacent properties.
