• Photo courtesy of Ankrom Moisan Architects and Casey Braunger.

Orchards at Orenco

Hillsboro, OR

Project Categories

High-performing buildings
All-Electric
Housing + hospitality

Business Type

Affordable-housing development

Size

57,000 square feet

The Orchards is the nation’s largest Passive House certified project. The building provides 57 affordable living units with more planned.

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
  • 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