A rooftop community garden plot allows condo dwellers to have a connection with the soil. Planting and tending to a garden is a great way to relax, enjoy the outdoors and eat healthy. If you don't have a green thumb, and just like to be outdoors, Florera has a beautifully landscaped rooftop recreation area- a great place for a BBQ after a day at the lake. Plants produce oxygen for us to breathe and rooftop gardens also provide natural noise and thermal heat insulation, cutting down on utility bills.

A rooftop garden has many environmental benefits. Plants help shade the roof and improve the insulation value.They delay water runoff into the city sewer system helping to reduce the frequency of combined sewage overflow. Plants filter out airborne pollutants helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, generate billions of tons of oxygen for the atmosphere, and rooftop gardens also help to provide additional green space and wildlife habitats in urban areas.

When the furnace and air conditioner don't have to work so hard to maintain a comfortable indoor air temperature, energy is conserved. And when energy is conserved, money is saved. All the windows in each Florera home are operable, allowing fresh air to constantly circulate through any room you'd like.

Vinyl uses less energy to make, generates fewer emissions and requires fewer natural resources than other leading window materials. Because it is less than half petroleum, vinyl is the most energy-efficient plastic. The incredible thermal properties of vinyl windows over glass, help keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter, cutting back our dependence on high energy using, temperature regulating appliances. Florera’s windows are manufactured locally, helping to support our local green economy. Vinyl is strong, durable, abrasion and moisture resistant, withstands rust and corrosion, is electrically non-conductive and has excellent fire performance properties

Over half the energy in a home is used for space heating, space cooling, domestic water heating and appliances. Energy Star Appliances are field tested to use 50% less of energy, when compared to standard appliances. By having Energy Star appliances installed, you save over 30% a year or more on energy bills.

ENERGY STAR is a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy efficient products and appliances. Energy Star labeled products not only save energy and money but protect the environment. An average family of 2 can save 20,000 gallons of water annually, and cutback the amount of greenhouse gases created from using electricity. The average building consumes 1.5 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year but by using Energy Star products, the energy use is cut in half.

Products made with recycled content are designed with cutting edge technologies and have colors, textures and patterns that reflect the beauty of nature. These types of finishes will bring the outdoors in, making your home feel inspired by the unexpected. Also, due to the fact that these products generally are made by smaller companies, they tend to be of a higher quality because they are not mass produced.

Whenever we can reuse a product instead of producing a new one from raw materials, if those raw materials are recycled, we save on resource use and energy. Buildings consume 40% (3 billion tons) of natural resources used globally. Anything we can do to slow down the environmental strain, will help protect the environment by sending less waste to the landfill and using less raw material.

Basically it's pretty simple, the less water you use, the more money you save. And, our water conserving fixtures are both highly efficient and beautiful in design so you have the best of both worlds.

Buildings are responsible for 16% of the world's fresh water withdrawal and by 2050 over half the global population, in rich as well as poor countries, is expected to face serious fresh water shortages. By using home systems that help to conserve water, we can help reverse the potential dangers the environment and its inhabitants will face

All the homes at Florera are designed with oversized windows. These portals to the world outside, fill your home with the soothing properties of natural light, brightening your home and saving you money due to the reduction of electricity use from interior lighting. Also, scientists have identified beneficial biological and psychological effects that are strongly dependent on the presence of natural light in your home.due to water loss.

The amount of global energy used for lighting will be 80% higher in 2030 than today. By taking advanced actions towards using less energy for lighting such as using Energy Star light bulbs and relying on daylighting, we’d save about $6.5 billion each year in energy costs, and eliminate greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from more than 8 million cars.

Florera has a 18,087 gallon cistern to collect and store runoff storm water. The cistern pumps the water up to a second cistern which is 1000 gallons and is used to irrigate the gardens in the courtyard. The rooftop garden has rain barrels which collect and store runoff storm water and will downspout into the rooftop garden for irrigation. The rainwater overflow from the barrels will drain into the cistern. A cistern and rain barrels benefit you because while outside enjoying the serenity of your courtyard and rooftop gardens, you'll know that where you live is an integrated part of a larger movement to help conserve water and keep our oceans, rivers and streams free of pollutants. Also, if you are growing edible plants in the garden plots, rainwater is free of the additives in tap water such as chlorine and fluoride that plants don't want. Rainwater is also slightly acidic, helping plants access soil nutrients.

Residential irrigation can account for up to 40% of domestic water consumption. But, rain barrels and cisterns not only help save water, they divert stormwater from roofs, reducing strain on urban creeks and storm systems. Anything we use in our homes, cars, and businesses, like motor oil, paint, pesticides, fertilizers and cleaners can wind up in the street, carried along in stormwater and down stormwater drains. Storm drains go directly into channels and creeks, through wetlands and bays to the ocean. More and more studies are finding toxins in sea life and by helping to reduce the amount of pollutants entering our water we can help give our sea life time to repair and regenerate.

Using a recycled material for our roof shingles benefits you by reducing the amount of plastic ending up in landfills and urban sewage systems. The gases produced from aging plastic pollute local surface and ground water. This cycle affects the water we drink, the food we eat and more. Also, plastic waste being dumped into rivers, streams and oceans, contaminates water, soil, marine life and the air we breathe.

Because plastic does not undergo bacterial decomposition, putting it in a landfill essentially means we are helping to preserve the toxic make-up of plastic. Plastic can't be burned as a method of disposal because burning it releases a host of poisonous chemicals into the air, including dioxin, the most toxic substance known to science. If every American household recycled just one out of every ten plastic bottles used, it would keep 200 million pounds of plastic out of landfills. It takes about five plastic bottles to make enough fiber filling for a ski coat, 25 recycled bottles to make a fleece coat, or 26 bottles to make a polyester suite. And, According to the EPA recycling a single pound of plastic bottles saves about 12,000 BTU's of heat energy.

During construction an indoor air quality management plan is developed and implemented, and during preoccupancy a testing plan is carried out. These plans ensure that all ventilation systems are working properly prior to resident move-in and that during construction special care is taken to control things such as emissions in units and moisture around materials. This is an extra step we take to confirm that the superior systems installed are performing to their capabilities and to LEED performance standards. We want to be sure we're providing the healthiest, most efficient results for our residents.

These plans help to protect the environment by securing the systems we have created to lessen the heavy impact construction has on the natural world. Here are are some of the plans features:
• smoking is not permitted in the buildings during construction and exterior designated smoking areas are far away from entries and operable windows
• protecting absorptive materials that are stored on site or installed in the building from moisture damage
• placing protective covers over all ductwork during construction to prevent dust and debris from entering homes
• performing a "building flush-out" which requires all ventilation systems to run for an extended period of time , and replacing air filters prior to resident occupancy

Using public transportation reduces the stress associated with traffic and parking, and allows for a certain level of daily exercise as a result of walking more. Also, the cost of using public transportation can be much cheaper than a car when you consider car payments, parking fees, insurance, maintenance and gas. Florera is located in a hub of city activity with several bus stops located just steps from the building.

Cars burn a mixture of octanes which are compounds containing carbon and hydrogen. When these compounds oxidize, CO2 is generated. Since there is no practical filter for carbon dioxide, all emissions end up in the environment, where they contribute to global warming. Cars also contribute to smog, acid rain, ozone depletion, noise pollution and use of green space for highways and parking lots. Both local and global pollution would be dramatically improved if each car-driving person pledged to use their car 30% less.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that homes typically have 2 to 5 times the levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC's) inside, compared to levels outside the home. Health effects from indoor air pollutants such as VOC's may be experienced soon after exposure or possibly years later. Immediate effects can include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Symptoms of some diseases, including asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier fever, may also show up soon after exposure. Selecting low and no-VOC emitting materials significantly improves indoor air quality to benefit residents health.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) are carbon based liquids or solids that vaporize spontaneously at the prevailing temperature and pressure of the surrounding atmosphere. VOC's have been linked to one of the world's largest contributors to ozone depletion, air pollution and ultimately global warming. Natural ecosystems are disappearing rapidly. If things continue as today, in twenty to thirty years most of the remaining tropical forests, a large part of mountain forests and most of the world’s wetlands will be gone or severely marred by pollution. By choosing products with no or low VOC's, we can help protect our natural environment.

This natural gas system is extremely efficient as are most types of appliances and equipment that operate on natural gas. Natural gas is delivered to the consumer with a "total energy efficiency" of about 90 percent, compared with about 27 percent for electricity. This efficiency will reduce energy costs over time compared to conventional systems.

From source to end-use, natural gas is the cleanest choice for both energy efficiency and purity. When burned, it produces virtually no emissions of sulfur dioxide or particulate matter and far lower levels of "greenhouse" gases and nitrogen oxide than competing sources of energy such as oil and coal. In addition, unlike the oil, coal and nuclear processes, the natural gas process produces almost no solid waste and has much less impact on water quality. Due to the cleanliness of natural gas when compared with other fuels used for heating, it helps reduce air pollutants that produce smog and acid rain and and contribute to the "greenhouse" effect.

If you are interested in driving an electric car, you can charge it right in the basement level at Florera. Flexcar is a great way to get around that saves time, money and the environment. It's a low-emission, fuel-efficient vehicle parked at Florera. Use it only when needed, paying just a simple hourly rate that includes gas, insurance and maintenance. It’s far less expensive than owning and operating a car, and much more convenient than renting. 

If you own and/or ride a bicycle, Florera has secure bicycle storage in the basement level. You don't have to worry about bringing your bike up and down if you live on an upper level. Riding a bicycle promotes a more active and healthy lifestyle. Bicycling reduces risk of heart disease, and other chronic diseases, lowers health care costs, and improves quality of life for people of all ages. Besides, there's nothing better then a nice ride around Greenlake; whether you're out for some exercise or just a look around.

Today, personal vehicles account for 40% of all US. oil consumption and 19% of all US. carbon emissions. Tailpipe emissions from cars and trucks account for almost a third of all pollution in the United States. It's time to drive less. Go electric, FLEX or take a bike ride!

Formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent smelling gas, can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty in breathing in some humans exposed at elevated levels (above 0.1 parts per million). High concentrations may trigger attacks in people with asthma. There is evidence that some people can develop a sensitivity to formaldehyde. It has also been shown to cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans. Florera's trim, millwork and doors are formaldehyde free to protect your health.

Formaldehyde is a danger to the environment just as any other volatile organic compound (VOC) that off-gases into the atmosphere causing air pollution. It can also pollute the soil through construction waste. By avoiding the use of this material, we help protect and care for the atmosphere and natural surfaces.

Having roof and wall insulation values above code benefits you by saving you money on utility bills. Better insulation helps keep your home comfortable without having to constantly rely on energy absorbing appliances to regulate the air temperature.

2.5 billion people globally have no electricity and the US uses 25% of the world's energy. Anytime we can save energy, we cut back on the amount of kilowatts per hour used, reducing the amount of greenhouse gases created and conserving natural resources.

Recycling construction waste benefits you by keeping as much waste as possible from ending up in landfill sites.  Over time, landfills leak pollutants into our air, water, and soil, leaving an unhealthy environment for all living things.

Building demolitions account for 48%, or 65 million tons per year, of the construction and development waste stream. New construction accounts for 44 percent, or 60 million tons per year. And construction sites generate 8%, or 11 million tons of waste per year. Landfills are reaching capacity and incineration of waste produces pollutants. Florera is recycling at least 95% of all construction waste, meaning that the project is diverting more than 100,000 lbs of material from landfills and allowing it to be reused as recycled material in new products or on other construction sites.

At Florera, recycling is as easy as it is important. At the basement level there's a center set up to help make sorting different items convenient.

Recycling saves natural resources and energy. Well-run recycling programs cost less to operate than waste collection, land filling, and incineration. The more people recycle, the cheaper it gets. A national recycling rate of 30% reduces greenhouse gas emissions as much as removing nearly 25 million cars from the road. It takes 95% less energy to make aluminum from recycled materials than it does to make it from raw materials. Making steel from recycled materials saves 60%, recycled newspaper 40%, recycled plastics 70%, and recycled glass 40%. These savings far outweigh the toxins created as by-products of incineration and filling.

This program is designed to implement entryway systems with walk off mats, properly exhaust chemical use areas, and employ high efficiency filters on mechanical ventilation systems to minimize occupant exposure to hazardous particulates and chemical pollutants.

The more control we have over lowering the amount of pollutants entering both our homes and the outdoor environment, the more we can help reduce the amount of toxins released into the atmosphere.

Buying local materials keeps your dollars circulating in your community. Getting to know the businesses who manufacture the products we use, builds relationships based on understanding and trust, helping build a foundation of strong communities. Buying local also helps create local jobs in the growing green industry.

The US transportation sector emits more CO2 than all but three other countries' emissions from all sources combined. Local materials don't have to travel far. This reduces carbon dioxide emissions and packing materials used for transport.

Florera's landscape designers know that you can have beautiful plants to look at all year round. They've made it easy by selecting plants that demand little maintenance, reseed each year and attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife. So, sit back and enjoy nature at its best!

Water efficient, low demand, native plants are good for the environment because they require less water, and compete well with weeds and other pests. These plants are native to the region and climate so they flourish more easily, naturally grow together, reseed with ease, and spread without much maintenance. This strengthens the ecology of the gardens and landscaping at Florera, requiring less fertilizer and pest control, and helping to attract local wildlife.

This agreement made between the developers of Florera and the City of Seattle helps reduce Florera's net carbon emissions through arrangements with a carbon-offset provider. The agreement says that Florera will purchase 50% of its energy from a renewable energy source. This benefits you because where you have chosen to live, helps to promote the nation's energy and environmental security.

The renewable energy resources supported by this agreement include wind, solar, landfill gas, and biomass from clean wood waste and agriculture. Electricity generated by Green Power-supported renewable resources is delivered to the Northwest power supply grid, increasing the ratio of renewable energy in the Northwest power pool. This agreement is a cost-effective alternative to reducing fossil-fuel consumption and helping to combat global warming.

You need information about your new green home in order to use all of the features to their highest capabilities. You will receive a manual that includes information on what is unique about a sustainable home, the value a sustainable home provides, how to use and operate all of the efficient equipment in the home, and how to maintain the equipment in the home to keep it running at optimal efficiency .

It is through this type of awareness that all of the benefits of owning an energy efficient, sustainably built, LEED certified home can be fully understood, utilized, and enjoyed while helping to reduce the heavy environmental impacts of new construction.