Merit Winner: Green
Location: Allston, Mass.
Developer: The Mount Vernon Co.
Architect: Prellwitz Chilinski Associates
Builder: Cranshaw Construction
Opened: August 2013
Number of units: 79
Unit mix: Studios and one- and two-bedrooms
Rents: $1,925 to $3,175
Green is far more than an afterthought at The Edge: It’s an essential part of the brand. Located in Boston’s newly developing, five-building Green District, The Edge incorporates eco-friendly practices into virtually every component of the community.
The building envelope, a priority during construction, uses rooftop solar panels, solar shading, high-performance glazing, and soy-based insulation. Environmentally friendly flooring and low-VOC paints also contribute to the green emphasis.
Outdoors, recycled content was repurposed for an artificial lawn and putting green, and the landscaping consists of native plant materials maintained by a smart-control drip irrigation system.
The units contain Energy Star appliances, high-efficiency lighting and plumbing fixtures, and operable floor-to-ceiling windows. The Edge is certified LEED Platinum for Homes, but it’s not just the building that’s environmentally conscious: Residents are asked to sign a “Green Lease” when they move in, agreeing to lead a sustainable lifestyle. That goal is aided by on-site amenities like an electric-car charging station, ample bike storage, a recycling and compost center, and hydration stations to reduce the use of plastic water bottles.
