Nauset Delivers 59-Unit Passive House Apartment Project to Somerville’s Union Square
Nauset Construction has completed the Phase II building of the Union 346 Apartments, built to Passive House standards, located in Somerville, Massachusetts.
The Passive House standard is a performance-based certification focusing on creating super-efficient building envelopes to significantly reduce energy use for heating and cooling, providing occupants with optimal comfort.
According to Boston Real Estate Times, Developed through a joint venture partnership between John M. Corcoran & Company (JMC), The Grossman Companies, Inc., and SMT Development, this project marks their second consecutive multifamily community in Union Square. Last year, Nauset completed the adjacent Phase I building of the Union 346 community, a 94-unit building with ground-floor retail. The adjacent buildings have a Walk Score of 97 and a Bike Score of 99 and are located within steps of restaurants, entertainment venues, and public transportation options, including the new Green Line Extension.
“The Passive House design of the Phase II building at Union 346 reflects our commitment to sustainability while addressing the need for transit-oriented, market-rate, and affordable housing in Somerville,” said Tim Corcoran of JMC.
Designed by ICON Architecture, the development has revitalized this residential neighborhood by replacing two distressed structures. The building features four levels of wood-framed construction over a steel and concrete-framed podium, housing 59 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, with 11 units designated as affordable. The building’s exterior facade is comprised of brick at the ground level and a combination of fiber cement lap siding and panels at the upper levels. Casement windows and an aluminum storefront provide ample natural light for the residences, while a sustainable TPO membrane roof completes the building envelope.