HACM News

Victory Manor, a 60-unit veterans preference apartment building developed by HACM’s development arm Travaux, was recently certified as LEED v4 for Homes – Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Victory Manor is designed to meet LEED v4 for Homes and Phase One of Westlawn Gardens is designed to meet LEED v4 for Neighborhood Development. This sets the precedent for all multifamily buildings that will follow in Phase Two. To meet LEED v4 for Homes, Victory Manor implemented certain design characteristics such as low VOC limits for all interior finish materials, installing energy efficient lighting with daylight controls and HVAC equipment, using Watersense certified low-flow plumbing fixtures to conserve the amount of water used in the building throughout, as well as using high insulation values and energy efficient windows on the envelope.

Key Features Include:

• Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) System that allows for simultaneous heating and cooling
• Increased insulation values
• Low-flow, “Watersense” certified plumbing fixtures
• Airtight construction
• “Energy Star” appliances
• Cool Roof to mitigate the Heat Island Effect
• 60% less energy use than typical building
• 37% water use reduction
• Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index rating of 46; 54% more energy efficient than standard home

An element of gaining LEED certification is designing to Energy Star v3 standards which mandate mechanical and electrical requirements. Additionally, Victory Manor is being verified under the Wisconsin Green Built compliance, a requirement through the WHEDA funding, and Focus on Energy’s New Homes Certification. All of these certifications together guarantee an in-field tested and verified sustainable development. 

Travaux is a leader in sustainable design, redeveloping older buildings to increase their energy efficiency and developing new buildings and neighborhoods that push at the boundaries of sustainability standards.