Green homes in the Portland metro area as well as in the Pacific Northwest are becoming more common each month as new projects are announced. If you are aware of new green housing projects, please let us know by sending us an email so we can update this Web page. Just complete the simple form at the feedback page.

Green Communities Green Communities tracks green developments through out the USA. Most are apartment or townhouse complexes for low income and first time homeowners. Green Communities is the first national green building program developed for affordable housing. They focus on the use of environmentally sustainable materials, reduction of negative environmental impacts and increased energy efficiency. They emphasize designs and materials that safeguard the health of residents and locations that provide easy access to services and public transportation.

Green Home Projects in the Portland Metro Area

Blueberry Lane

Blueberry Lane is a urban infill subdivision of five homes built around a common green. Blueberry Lane was recently designated by USGBC as a candidate to become the first LEED PLATINUM inner city subdivision of single family homes. Sales begin in late September 2008.

Blueberry Lane is located in North Portland just a block from public transportation, the Williams/Vancouver bike thoroughfare (about ten minutes from downtown) and Dawson Park.

Homes are from 2,074 square feet to 3,660 square feet with 3-4 levels of conditioned space. Pricing ranges from mid 500's to high 600's. The developer completely recycled the larger home facing Graham Street. The four new homes have small footprints with rear access, tucked under parking.

Mississippi Avenue Lofts in Portland

Mississippi Avenue Lofts is a sustainable new mixed-use development in Portland Oregon's Mississippi Historic District designed for LEED® Gold Certification from the U. S. Green Building Council, featuring 32 live-work lofts, secured parking and locally owned European style market Pastaworks. Featuring energy saving mechanical systems, TOTO low flow bath fixtures and KitchenAid Energy Star stainless steel appliances, Mississippi Avenue Lofts offers views, natural daylight with cross-ventilation, large balconies and a bamboo landscaped open-air courtyard. Available July 2008 select lofts are still available in studios one/two bedrooms and penthouses starting at $289,900.

Villebois in Wilsonville

Villebois in Wilsonville (south suburban community in Portland) requires Earth Advantage standards. Villebois translates to “village near the woods.” Villebois is inspired by the traditional European village and built around the idea that thoughtfully planned communities add to our quality of life. Jim Horne, at his Traditional Designed Neighborhoods in the West Web site has detailed information about Villebois.

Villebois is the site of a former state mental health facility. Almost a third of Villebois 500 acres is composed of parks and open spaces, providing gorgeous natural areas for bike and pedestrian paths, as well as formal parks that will serve as neighborhood centers for gatherings and activities. Villebois was designed around its open spaces, including a 30 acre greenway wrapping around the Village Center and a natural upland forest of preserved oak and fir trees with trails throughout. Villebois will also feature prepared open spaces, with dog parks and a variety of mixed-use parks for skating, tennis and basketball.

The developer of Villebois is Oregon-based Costa Pacific Communities. This is the same company that developed Orenco Station in the western suburb of Aloha - it was recognized in 1999 as “America’s Community of the Year.” Builders include Costa Pacific, Arbor Custom Homes, and Legend Homes.

As of July 2008, about 1,100 people live in Villebois' 275 homes and 274 apartments. When completed, Villebois and its 2,500 homes and apartments is expected to bolster Wilsonville's 17,000 population by about 50 percent.

Maddox Bluff in West Linn

Maddox Bluff An original infill project, this two-home development rests on the bluff overlooking the Willamette River at the trail head to Burnside Park. The local library, post office and new Central Village are within easy walking distance via park trail or city street. Features universal design including master-on-the-main and elevator-ready. Perfect for the active adult lifestyle! The homes are certified LEED Gold.

Green Home Projects in Oregon

Salem Metro Area

Woodscape Green in southeast Salem. All homes will meet Earth Advantage and Energy Star sustainability and efficiency standards.
Pringle Creek Community, a 32-acre development in Salem, is putting the idea of new sustainable neighborhoods to the test. The community's 139 residential homes will be linked by "green streets" that manage stormwater in an earth-friendly way. The streets themselves are narrower and meant to encourage walking and biking. Public gathering places - including a Sustainable Living Center that will shoot for LEED platinum certification - are being built with sustainable practices.
Independence Station Located in Independence, Oregon (about 60 miles southwest of Portland), the Independence Station development is expected to achieve LEED platinum certification when completed in 2007. The four-story, glass-and-brick building features 13,700 feet of street-level retail shops and luxury condominiums above. But its most interesting feature may be in the basement, which is set to house a biofuel cogeneration facility. Independence Station is for those that value the security and comfort of a small town.

Mosier Creek Townhomes - Hood River

Mosier Creek is a cluster of 32 townhouses that is been developed on five acres east of Hood River. The developer is shooting for LEED-H pilot project certification. Mosier Creek is being developed by Urban Fund Inc.

The developer is shooting for LEED-H pilot project certification. The solar electric system will provide approximately 3,300 kilowatt hours of energy per year, worth approximately $215 at PacifiCorp's standard rate of 6.5 cents per kilowatt-hour. The solar water heating system is estimated to provide approximately 2,000 kilowatt-hours per year in energy required to heat water, or about $130 savings.

NorthWest Crossing - Bend

NorthWest Crossing in Bend (Central Oregon) is the first community in the area to accept Earth Advantage standards.

Green Home Builders

A home by Prairie View. Earth Advantage® has over 30 builders and remodelers listed in the Portland metro area that are Earth Advantage® certified.

Another source for finding both builders and architects/designers who have actual experience with green buildings is to review the Built It Green (BIG) tour of homes sponsored by the City of Portland Office of Sustainability. The site gives an overview of each home on the 2007 tour and includes the home address, focus, owner names, designer name, and contractor. Click at this link for the 2007 BIG tour of homes.

Here are a list of builders who have had experience with green buildings:

Coho Construction They were the contractors for the Rose House which was completed in 2004 (passive solar, fiberglass windows, advance shell design, radiant floor heat, etc.). Contact is David Heslam. Phone: 503-407-1780. CCB 136906.
Green Hammer Construction All their new homes are LEED certified. Green Hammers build with 100 percent Forest Stewardship Council-certified or salvaged wood. They try to obtain their materials from within 100 miles of the site.
Miranda Homes This Damascus builder constructs homes that are gold level Earth Advantage certified.
PrairieView Homes Each of their projects are green certified using Earth Advantage, Energy Star, and numerous LEED standards. Many of their projects are within the Portland city limits.
Verde Builders Homes are certified by Energy Star and Earth Advantage.

Green Home Architects

Nathan Good - Salem, Oregon

Nathan Good is an architectural design firm located in Salem, Oregon with projects throughout the USA and Mexico. Nathan specializes in residential and select-commercial design commissions that synthesize building performance with aesthetics. A recent example is a distinguished home along the Oregon Coast that was awarded the “Custom Green Home of the Year” by the National Association of Home Builders in 2005.

Opsis Architecture - Portland, Oregon

Putting its money where its mouth is, Opsis wanted a green office from which to deliver equally sustainable buildings for it clients. The 20,000 square foot warehouse at NW 17th and NW Lovejoy in the Pearl District was completely renovated according to green standards. In 2006, the building was awarded gold LEED certification.

Susan Marthens
Principal Real Estate Broker, CRS, GRI

Direct: (503) 497-2984
Office: (503) 297-1033
Fax: (503) 220-1131

6443 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway
Suite 100, Portland, Oregon 97221