The most sustainable features in the Pacific Northwest.
Pervious paving, geothermal, solar, living roofs, rainwater harvesting, and more, all in one place!
Ground source water is always 56 degrees, year round, and circulates in a closed loop under our streets. Each home on the geothermal loop, using a water furnace, can heat or cool easily and efficiently. When using geothermal energy you’re not making heat, you’re moving heat. Geothermal energy is really captured solar energy. A geothermal waterfurnace is 400% more efficient than a gas furnace to heat and cool your home.
Our community center, Painters Hall, is also connected to the geothermal loop, keeping the center at a comfortable temperature all year-round – sustainably and ecologically! Some of the extra energy generated by Painters Hall’s 20.2kW rooftop solar array is used to power the geothermal system pump. How is that for efficiency!?
Painters Hall, the community building, café and events venue, is solar powered and a Net Zero energy building, producing more energy than it uses over the course of a year
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a third party rating group who ensures homes, community buildings and businesses are energy efficient, built with materials that use resources wisely (recycled, reused, sustainably managed), are healthy (reduce or avoid toxic chemicals) and built in a manner that preserves the environment and reduces waste.
All PCC homes are certified LEED gold or platinum, ensuring they are built to the highest level of green-building standards resulting in a comfortable, healthy home. Bottom line – a healthy home that is inexpensive to operate and maintain.
Our “green street” system allows 90% of the rainwater to filtrate through the streets and into the soil, recharging the aquifer. The narrower than usual streets use less material, provide more space for natural vegetation, and slow auto traffic.
This photo shows the border between our pervious paving and the regular asphalt at our community entrance during a typical Oregon winter rain day. Check out a case study on this innovative paving solution.
A living roof is a roof that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. It acts as a giant sponge, absorbing storm water and releasing it slowly over time. The plants and soil help insulate the building from extreme temperatures in winter and summer, and provide habitat for pollinators and insects.
Two of our buildings have beautiful living roofs modeling all of the benefits of this innovation.
A network of trails and pathways connect open spaces and parks throughout the neighborhood. They also connect with adjoining neighborhoods. Walking or biking through beautiful, inspiring places is important for our physical and emotional well-being.
Geothermal Solar
Pervious Paving
9,000 linear feet, is pervious pavement with bioswales and natural verge
LEED
Salmon Safe
Living Building Challenge
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Pringle Creek Community - a certified B Corporation ™- is part of a community of leaders of the global movement of people using business as a force for good.