News
Woodcrest Retirement Residence
"Winner" of National Association of Home Builders 50+ Housing Award and The USGBC's Gold Certification in the LEED for Homes Pilot Project
PITTSBURGH - MOON TOWNSHIP, April, 2009 - a.m. Rodriguez Associates inc., has developed another award winning project in the redevelopment of WoodCrest Retirement Residence. The National Association of Home Builders at their National Senior Symposium in Philadelphia on April 28, 2009, presented Anthony (Tony) Rodriguez, developer, with the Best of 50+ Housing Award.
A jury panel comprised of eight industry experts selected award recipients. Competing with over 200 entries, 80 entries were chosen as finalists and received either a Gold or Silver award from NAHB's 50+ Housing Council for their premier design and renovation. WoodCrest Retirement Residence received a GOLD award from NAHB's 50+ Housing Council. Finalists were selected in 35 categories representing active adult housing, service-enriched housing and marketing. Judges focused on entries that attempted to re-invent the standard approach to 50+ housing and implement future-oriented, creative ideas.
"This is a beautifully renovated project introducing great light and great combination of uses. This truly welcoming project is very nicely detailed inside and out," were comments from the Judges on WoodCrest.
Upon receiving the award Tony Rodriguez said, "We've now completed our ninth affordable senior housing project in 12 years, and each is an improvement in design, amenities and sustainability. This gives me an opportunity to again thank the development team for a job well done." Victor Rodriguez, Senior Vice President of a.m. Rodriguez Associates inc., and director of the development team coordinated the development activities to ensure that the building improved the high standards and amenities achieved at previous a.m. Rodriguez Associates inc. developments.
WoodCrest was also awarded a gold certification in the USGBC's LEED for Homes pilot project. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is based on a set of required "prerequisites" and a variety of "credits" in six major categories.
The project was a substantial rehabilitation that used green building techniques. The building had been occupied as an infirmary on the Felician Sisters campus in Moon Township. The Felician 75 acre campus includes motherhouse, high school and walking trails. Features from the campus such as the library, theater and school performances, and social activities with the sisters and students have been made available to the residents.
Woodcrest was redeveloped into a 4-story building that provides 59 apartments plus amenities such as Optional Meals, Library/Computer Area, Craft Room, Hair Salon, Fitness Center, Multi-purpose Room and Van Service. The property is for qualifying seniors minimum age 55 years, plus income not exceeding $26,280 for an individual or $30,000 for a household of two. The affordable rents also include utilities.
The project received a GOLD certification from the USGBC's LEED for Homes Pilot program. Recapturing the embodied energy on this previously developed site, using day lighting strategies, designing a right-sized ventilation system, and super-insulating the building shell are some of the strategies used to make the building green.
There was a high degree of care put into the selection of materials and mechanical systems at WoodCrest. The building operates so that there is always fresh air even in the winter months introduced into the building. In addition, materials were selected to be low Volatile Organic Compounds. Using VOC free carpeting, resilient flooring, glue, foam furniture, paints and other finishes, greatly reduces off-gas, which can cause indoor air quality problems. These strategies can greatly reduce senior's respiratory problems and allergies.
The project's Contractor, Sota Construction Services, Inc. of Pittsburgh was also a recipient of an Excellence in Construction Award for WoodCrest by The Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Pennsylvania on April 18, 2009 and qualified to participate in the Associated Builders and Contractors National Excellence in Construction Awards competition later this year.
Pittsburgh architectural firms of Thoughtful Balance and Lami Grubb Architects were the building designers. Laura Nettleton of Thoughtful Balance the supervising architect, said "we were able to transform the project from a drab sixties era building, open it up to views and new connections to the site. In addition the developer and the contractor gave their commitment to making a "GREEN" building with quality materials that raises the bar for affordable housing for seniors."
WoodCrest Retirement Residence is an Affordable Housing Tax Credit project with a total development cost of $10,106,482 with funds from the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development ($1,100,000), Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency ($1,242,065), and John Hancock Realty provided the equity of ($7,363,771).
WoodCrest Retirement Residence is truly More Than Just a Place to Live.
South Hills Retirement Residence
Construction Has Commenced
It's been over 20 years since South Hills High School closed its doors as a public high school in Pittsburgh. Now, through the efforts of a.m. Rodriguez Associates this 1917 structure is being brought back to life.
When completed in late 2010, the building will house the new South Hills Retirement Residence, a facility with 106 apartments for seniors, 80% of which are set aside for individuals with incomes below 60% of the area median income. A neighborhood YMCA facility, an early childhood education program and an alumni room are planned for those areas that were originally the gymnasiums, though the development of these areas will depend upon successfully raising additional dollars.
Go to southhillshighschool.net for more information and photos.