Tall & Urban News

A 15-story apartment building in Seattle designed to be a net-zero energy development is being constructed with panels manufactured at a plant in Tacoma, Wash. that come preloaded with electrical wiring, plumbing and mechanical equipment.

The 112-unit building at 303 Battery from Sustainable Living Innovations will run off of solar power and batteries, and includes 27 affordable apartments. 

In order to generate as much energy as it uses, 303 Battery will include solar panels on its roof, exterior walls and balconies. Its basement will house a bank of lithium batteries to store power that can be used at night and when solar isn’t available. The building includes various smart technologies such as sensors to adjust thermostats and lights to conserve energy.

The design features radiant heat floors, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, and avoids materials that can grow mold, such as paint and drywall. The building will harvest rainwater and has a greywater system.

The energy-smart high-rise cost less than a traditionally built structure in Seattle due to the modular construction, according to Sustainable Living Innovations. The building will use 900 panels of 10 primary panel types. 

The building is being certified by the International Living Futures Institute.

Sustainable Living Innovations has four additional projects teed up for Seattle. Two are being built in partnership with the City of Seattle’s Office of Housing and will provide “permanent supportive housing,” which combines affordable housing with support services for people who struggle with homelessness. Two other projects will include significant numbers of affordable units.

The company previously completed a six story, 24-unit apartment building in Seattle’s University District called the 47+7 Apartments. It uses 70 percent less energy than a similar space, according to the company.

Project completion is planned for summer 2022.

For more on this story, go to MSN.com.