2 minute read
Langston Terrace: Zero Energy, Equity-Centered Decarbonization
Our partner brand Introba is a proven expert in driving sustainable solutions in the built environment, including residential buildings. The following excerpted article, “Langston Terrace: Zero Energy, EquityCentered Decarbonization,” describes the benefits of integrating sustainable practices when revitalizing a historic building in Washington, DC.
Langston Terrace Dwellings is a landmark in the history of American public housing. Opening in 1938, it was the second federally-funded housing project in the United States and the first in Washington, DC. Uniquely designed for African American families by African American architects Hilyard Robinson and Paul Revere Williams and landscape architect David Williston, it symbolizes communal social progress and improved living conditions.
Despite its historical significance, Langston Terrace has faced numerous challenges over the years due to deferred maintenance. The Langston Terrace Revitalization and Sustainability Plan addresses those issues, as well as the evolving needs of public housing in the 21st century.
The DC Housing Authority, in partnership with the planning team and residents, identified several key goals for the revitalization effort: prioritizing safety and security, improving health and wellness, achieving net zero energy, expanding programming, celebrating and evolving Langston Terrace's legacy, and fostering inclusion and unity.
Introba adopted a people-focused approach for this project, driven by extensive resident engagement.
Key components include:
Envelope improvements that improve thermal comfort and reduce heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system size, helping to achieve net-zero energy goals and enhance living conditions.
A new ground source heat pump system that provides an efficient and sustainable solution for heating and cooling, reducing reliance on nonrenewable energy sources and lowering emissions.
New solar energy systems that further reduce the carbon footprint and promote renewable energy, preserving the historic site while maximizing energy production.
Transforming former sources of pollution into beneficial elements for the community, such as decommissioned power plant and incinerator rooms repurposed to host energy recovery ventilators.
The revitalization efforts at Langston Terrace have been widely recognized for their innovative and inclusive approach, including winning the AIA DC Citation for Equitable Communities, which highlights its commitment to creating a more inclusive and sustainable living environment.
Read the full Introba article here.
