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 of just five builders, and it remains the only nonprofit to achieve this prestigious ranking consistently.
The company’s sustainability program is managed by COREvolution, a design and consulting team launched by National CORE to develop and implement cost-efficient, eco-friendly design in multi-family affordable housing.
To qualify as a Power Builder, at least 75% of the homes or apartments developers built in 2023 must have achieved LEED certification. At National CORE, every development built in 2023 achieved or is pending LEED certification.
Since 2008, 27 National CORE developments have earned LEED certifications, including eight Platinum, 19 Gold and one Silver. Another development earned a Build It Green Gold certification.
Additionally, the company’s all-electric Legacy Square development is being honored as the USGBC’s Affordable Housing Development of the Year, an international honor.
“National CORE is committed to design that respects the limits of our natural resources, creates developments that run efficiently and fosters healthier environments for our residents. COREvolution supports that mission with our cutting-edge, energy-efficient building designs,” said Tim Kohut, COREvolution’s executive director and National CORE’s director of sustainability.
COREvolution’s designs incorporate photovoltaic solar panels in all construction, providing renewable energy to meet various electricity demands: heating, cooling, hot water heating, lighting, elevators, washers and dryers, and plug loads. Cool roof technologies limit heat absorption. Efficiently designed energy envelopes reduce power needs. Plumbing systems minimize water stagnation, and drought-tolerant native plants and rainwater retention systems cut irrigation demands.
This recognition comes as COREvolution launches a groundbreaking, next-generation sustainability project with National CORE and the California Energy Commission. Innovations include placing solar panels on along building facades to generate greater energy levels, microgrids that allow buildings to operate on solar power during the evening and amid power outages, new resident engagement methods and application of novel building materials.