Water House - A Sustainable Demonstration House

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The Portland Water Bureau is developing an existing piece of its surplus property into a model sustainable home by contracting with an area home builder skilled in green building.

Located on a 12,500 square foot vacant lot in Northeast Portland’s Glendoveer Neighborhood, the Water House will highlight water and energy efficient site design and construction. The 2,546 square foot home will have 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, finished basement and attached garage. A 600 square foot guest house (Accessory Dwelling Unit) will be a part of the property along with water efficient landscaping.

The Portland Water Bureau is partnering with area leaders in green building to implement the Water House project. Thanks to very generous contributions from sponsors, vendors have donated products that will offset the cost of the project. The green products will substantially lower the carbon footprint of this house, both for construction and during occupancy. Once constructed, the home will be left vacant for one year and opened up for public tours in order to increase local awareness of sustainable building practices, materials, and products to Portland tax payers, design and construction industries. At the end of the 12 month showcase, the home will be sold at market value. The project is not expected to have no cost to ratepayers.

This innovative project will generate construction in the Portland area that will:

1. Provide the public and the development industry with hands on information about the building and landscape methods necessary to build energy efficient and nature friendly landscaped homes.
2. Showcase those products, services and materials available for energy efficient and nature-friendly landscaped homes.
3. This home will be Earth Advantage^® Platinum certified and Energy Star^® certified. Efficiency improvements will also be quantified in an Energy Performance Score that assesses utility costs and carbon impacts and functions like a miles-per-gallon rating for the home.
4. The Portland Water Bureau will sell an unneeded property, while supporting green building and water conservation practices in the process.
5. Sell one more energy efficient and nature friendly landscaped home.

The Water House will also be a demonstration in the power of partnerships, and will showcase some of the best talents and products in the region:

• The custom plan has been designed by Alan Mascord Design Associates at cost.
• Earth Advantage Institute and Energy Trust of Oregon are contributing in-kind services along with the costs of certifications for this home.
• Metro's Nature in Neighborhoods program is contributing a landscape plan, including a rain garden. Nature-friendly development practices help protect water quality and keep local streams and rivers healthy for people, fish and wildlife.