• Photo courtesy of Ankrom Moisan Architects and Casey Braunger.

Orchards at Orenco

Hillsboro, OR

Project Categories

Portland
High-performing buildings
All-Electric
Housing + hospitality

Business Type

Affordable-housing development

Size

57,000 square feet

An ambitious project tackling sustainability in multi-family affordable housing, Orchards at Orenco is built to Passive House energy standards, offering occupants an extremely energy-efficient and cost-effective interior without active heating and cooling systems. Opened as the nation’s largest Passive House certified project.

Architect

Ankrom Moisan Architects, William Wilson Architects

Owner

REACH Community Development

Services

Mechanical engineering

Electrical engineering

Building performance analysis

33

Percent better energy efficiency

than code requirements

Sustainability

Certifications

  • Passive House

Progress Report

Achieved 33% energy efficiency

Special features

  • Central dedicated outside air ventilation heat recovery tempered with heat pump for heating and cooling, reducing energy and providing better indoor air quality
  • Central high-efficiency domestic hot water
  • Natural ventilation along with a super-insulated envelope
  • Efficient low-flow and dual-flush plumbing fixtures
  • “Window Watchers” override a living unit’s heating system if the windows are open
  • Energy-efficient LED lighting and occupancy sensors

Blog Coverage

The Orchards at Orenco achieves Passive House Certification

Read