Building the Communities of Tomorrow, Today
Finding affordable solutions to building sustainable communities
COREvolution-guided Legacy Square Named 2024 Outstanding Affordable Project by U.S. Green Building Council
Legacy Square, a LEED for Homes Platinum-certified community designed by COREvolution, has been selected from a pool of international contenders as a 2024 Outstanding Affordable Housing Project by the U.S. Green Building Council. This prestigious selection adds to a...
National CORE Sustainability Program Earns Sixth Power Builder Honor
National CORE, a nation-leading affordable housing developer advised by COREvolution, has been named a 2024 LEED for Homes Power Builder by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for the sixth consecutive year. This recognition places National CORE in an elite group...
East Los Angeles Affordable Housing Community Secures Elite LEED Platinum Ranking
Las Dahlias, a National CORE affordable housing community in the heart of East Los Angeles’s Maravilla neighborhood, has earned the prestigious LEED for Homes Platinum certification – the highest honor for sustainable construction. The property’s sustainability...
Partnering for a Sustainable Future
With decades of experience in creating high-performance and cost-effective communities, we’re expanding our mission to partner with other affordable housing developers and owners. Together, we can transform housing into a catalyst for healthier living, efficiency and resident savings.
Why Partner with Us?
We understand the unique challenges affordable housing developers face when implementing sustainable solutions. That’s why we’ve developed a suite of customizable services designed to make sustainability practical, achievable and cost-effective for your community. Our expertise spans energy efficiency, water conservation, renewable energy integration and green building certifications, all tailored to fit the specific needs of affordable housing.
Cost-Contained Affordable Housing
Sustainability doesn’t have to break the budget. By leveraging innovative strategies and economies of scale, we help you identify and implement solutions that maximize impact while minimizing costs. Whether it’s retrofitting existing properties or designing new developments, our approach ensures measurable results that align with your budget and goals.
What We Do
Our Services Include
CEA
energy analysis
Renewable energy system design and implementation
Water efficiency strategies
Sustainable building materials consultation
Support for achieving green certifications such as LEED, ENERGY STAR and others
Training and resources for staff and residents on sustainability practices
Building Decarbonization
All-Electric Building
Since 2018, COREvolution has completed more than 50 installations of photovoltaic (PV) systems with a total capacity of 9,305 kW at multifamily housing communities. Thirty-two more projects are underway.
Funding: COREvolution has secured more than $23 million in state rebates for solar systems for existing buildings.
Impact: PV systems reduce energy costs for residents and use of all-electric systems reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Fuel Switching
Since 2022, COREvolution has completed eight comprehensive fuel-switching projects at multifamily housing communities, replacing gas-driven water heaters and/or HVAC systems with high-efficiency, all-electric systems. Four more projects are set to be completed in 2025.
Funding: COREvolution has helped clients secure $6.2 million in fuel-switch incentive funding, layering programs to provide comprehensive funding for building decarbonization.
Impact: Electric heat pumps operate at higher efficiency than gas boilers, when coupled with PV systems, reduce the draw on public utilities. They are also healthier because they eliminate harmful toxins associated with natural gas.
Decarbonization Projects
CITRUS GROVE Rialto, California
Type: Central domestic water heating fuel switch, solar power panel installation
Details: Installed 32 new electric heat pump water heating systems and a 479.9kW PV system (100% serving residents) at the 152-apartment community. Installation of a 223.2kW PV system serving common areas is pending.
SYCAMORE SPRINGS Rancho Cucamonga, California
Type: HVAC and electric heat
Details: Installed 240 electric HVAC units at a 240-home multifamily community. Installation projects are underway for eight heat pump hot water heater systems and a 501.4kwPV system at the community.
MOUNTAINSIDE Rancho Cucamonga, California
Type: PV system
Details: Installed largest-yet PV system – 65.8 kW – at the 340-apartment Mountainside apartment community in 2021.
CORONA DEL REY Corona, California
Type: Fuel switch, PV pending
Details: Installed 40 new heat pump water heating systems in 2023 for 160-apartment community. A major rehabilitation effort including 160 induction stoves and HVAC systems is underway, with completion expected in 2025. Installation of a 344kw PV system is pending, with 87.6% of the power to benefit residents.
New Construction
Focus
COREvolution focuses on creating all-electric, carbon-neutral developments with Zero Net Energy status. More than eight communities designed by COREvolution have opened with these designs in the last year.
Recognition
Among our many recognitions, 28 developments designed between 2008 and 2024 by COREvolution have earned LEED for Homes certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – is a certification program designed to promote sustainable home building. Platinum and Gold levels are the pinnacle of green building, requiring innovative design strategies. Buildings with these ratings are energy efficient, offer access to public transit, reduce water waste, ensure clean indoor air quality, include healthy, regenerable or recyclable materials and focus on sustainability during the building process.
Building the Future
COREvolution is committed to going beyond today’s standards, to create developments that take advantage of the most advanced green technology available. This commitment earned us two EPIC grants from the California Energy Commission to design and build the next generation of affordable housing.
New Construction Projects
LEGACY SQUARE Santa Ana, California
Legacy Square is an all-electric community with 93 apartments opened in mid-2023. It features an innovative design that maximizes natural light and minimizes energy use via cool roofing materials and a tight energy envelope. PV panels provide 36% of the property’s energy needs. It is also located adjacent to a light rail stop. Builders secured a $10.4 million state grant used to add community bike paths, a free cycle repair shop onsite and bus passes for residents. The property has received a LEED for Homes Platinum rating.
LAS DAHLIAS Los Angeles, California
Las Dahlias uses an all-electric design that combines high-efficiency heat pump technologies, an energy-saving building envelope and rooftop photovoltaic energy systems. Building design encourages use of a courtyard and walking by families. Builders secured a $9.4 million state grant to provide bus passes, create a free bike repair program, improve bus stops and purchase 10 eco-friendly buses for local transit agencies. The property has received a LEED for Homes Platinum rating.
PALM CITY TRANSIT VILLAGE San Diego, California
(In design) COREvolution is partnering with global sustainable development consultancy Arup, USC, Studio F and National CORE to implement next generation, sustainable design solutions at Palm City Transit Village, a 484-apartment community. Designs include a microgrid, enabling the community to utilize solar power during the day and battery-stored solar energy during the evening. The microgrid is designed to support critical power needs of the community during a prolonged electrical outage relying only on renewable power. In response to site limitations, the development will employ solar panels on building facades and will significantly reduce energy needs through advanced construction practices, external shading, phase-change materials, heat pump water heaters, smart thermostats and smart electrical panels.
Meet Our Team Leader
Tim Kohut
Executive Director
Tim Kohut, AIA, has more than 25 years of experience in affordable housing design, contributing to more than 3,000 high-performance multifamily units across Southern California. As a licensed architect and certified energy professional (CEA, HERS Rater, BPI Certified Energy Analyst), Tim blends architectural expertise with energy modeling to deliver cost-effective, high-performance and energy-efficient solutions.
Tim’s portfolio includes groundbreaking projects such as Hart Village, the first affordable housing project in Southern California to install photovoltaic systems and Casa Dominguez, the first multifamily project in the region to achieve LEED for Homes Platinum certification. His leadership also guided Cedar Springs, the first project to install gray water systems for both irrigation and indoor water reuse.
Tim’s experience allows him to offer customers innovative, sustainable designs that reduce energy consumption, improve building performance and enhance resident comfort. He has guided projects to Zero-Net Energy and Zero Net Carbon standards and developed accessibility standards for affordable housing. Tim teaches at Cal Poly Pomona and holds an MArch and MA in Urban Planning from UCLA.
Join Us in Making an Impact
By collaborating with us, you’re enhancing the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of your properties. Let us help you create thriving, resilient communities that leave a legacy for generations to come.
Let’s Get Started
Interested in learning how we can help make your community more sustainable? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and explore how our tailored services can work for you and your residents.