The most sustainable features in the Pacific Northwest.
Pervious paving, geothermal, solar, living roofs, rainwater harvesting, and more, all in one place!
GEOTHERMALSOLARLEEDPERVIOUS PAVINGLIVING ROOFON-DEMAND WATER HEATERSRAINWATER HARVESTINGWALKABLE AND BIKEABLE NEIGHBORHOODDEVELOPMENTSHARED GREEN SPACESGEEK LINK GEOTHERMAL
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!?
SOLAR
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
Our Net Zero neighborhood, with a south facing slope, is designed for homes with solar arrays capable of producing 100% of their energy needs on a net annual basis
LEED
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.
PERVIOUS PAVING
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.
LIVING ROOF
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.
ON-DEMAND WATER HEATERS
High efficiency on-demand, or tank-less, water heaters save fuel, cost less to operate and never run out of hot water!
RAINWATER HARVESTING
Rainwater is collected for later use both for irrigation and in Painters Hall, our community center, rainwater is used to flush the toilets.
WALKABLE AND BIKEABLE NEIGHBORHOOD
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.
DEVELOPMENT
Over 200 tons of concrete and 100 tons of wood and steel were recycled through environmental stewardship efforts
Heavy equipment and construction vehicles ran on bio-diesel
Preserved historic buildings, reused bridge, recycled concrete slabs
Pervious pavement extends 9,000 linear feet and includes bioswales and natural verge
SHARED GREEN SPACES
More than 80% of existing trees were preserved during development of the infrastructure
The creek is Salmon Safe and adjoining wetlands are being protected and enhanced
GEEK LINK
For those who want to know more about some of Pringle Creek Community’s innovative features we’ve gathered some helpful links. These links will take you away from Pringle Creek Community’s website so be sure and bookmark us!
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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