Low-Emission Affordable Housing: Inspiration from Salem, MA

By Eva Rosenbloom

My team at RMI recently had the privilege of organizing an event to showcase the cutting-edge construction methods that will be put to work for a deep energy retrofit project at the Fairweather Apartments in Salem, Massachusetts. Local industry and government stakeholders interested in supporting building decarbonization came to learn about the project and see how a super-insulated exterior wall panel will be installed with minimal disruption to keep residents comfortable and energy bills low.?

The Fairweather Apartments retrofit highlights the vital role philanthropy and performance-based incentive funding play in shaping a sustainable future for the building industry.

The Fairweather Apartments Deep Energy Retrofit: A Beacon of Hope?

The Fairweather Apartments, a 127-unit affordable housing complex in Salem, MA, is set to undergo a deep energy retrofit within the next year that is anticipated to reduce energy usage by a staggering 86 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent. The project involves enhancing the thermal performance of the existing building and converting the existing fossil fuel mechanicals to a centralized electric system. In other words, this retrofit will make the building highly energy efficient and all-electric.?

Prefabricated panels, anchored to the original structural system, will create an airtight and highly insulated building envelope that greatly reduces energy loads.? Not only is this retrofit approach poised to meet passive house performance criteria , but the industrialized construction methods of prefabrication will also cause less disruption to the tenants and reduce on-site construction time and costs. The anticipated reduction in GHG emissions in the short term is an encouraging sign of the environmental impact this project promises. Moreover, as the electric grid decarbonizes, this building will achieve zero-carbon operations, setting a new industry standard for sustainable housing.??

This is not an isolated endeavor; the Fairweather Apartments’ building is representative of many buildings found in the Northeast and is one of four similar buildings in MA under the same ownership, totaling over 600 apartments. This scale offers an opportunity for the solutions developed here to be replicated across other properties, further amplifying the project's impact. We are working to scale these solutions through the 1,000 Apartment Challenge , which offers building owners consultation on decarbonization pathways and connections to a broader knowledge-sharing network.? ?

Key Remarks from Attendees: Voices of Change?

During the event, several key figures shared their insights and commitments to the project, emphasizing the significance of philanthropic support and the transformation of the building industry.??

Charlotte Matthews , the co-Managing Director of RMI Carbon-Free Buildings program, began the event with a warm welcome, emphasizing RMI's mission to equitably achieve a zero-carbon energy system. She emphasized the importance of buildings in addressing the climate and equity crisis, acknowledging that nearly 60% of our current building stock will need to undergo a retrofit that includes envelope upgrades to become zero-carbon aligned.??

Phill Gross , the co-founder and managing director of Adage Capital Partners, Llc, spoke about the significance of Adage’s? philanthropic contribution that closed the funding gap for this project, driven by a commitment to reducing their carbon footprint and supporting projects with real, catalytic impact. He stressed the crucial role philanthropy plays in accelerating clean energy solutions and the potential for significant carbon reduction through deep energy retrofits.??

Jon Creyts , RMI's CEO, highlighted the importance of lighthouse projects like the Fairweather Apartments in setting new industry standards. He acknowledged the role played by partners, underscoring the critical contributions of the project team and external organizations like @LISC and @MassCEC. ?

This is a strong emblem of applied hope. Next year we can look to this retrofit and say this building got to net zero affordably and now residents are benefiting from a cleaner and healthier living environment. - Jon Creyts, CEO, RMI?

By citing 'applied hope' , Jon acknowledged a fundamental value established by RMI's co-founder Amory Lovins, a 'practical and grounded conviction that starting with hope and acting out of hope can cultivate a different kind of world.?

Lucas Toffoli , principal on RMI's Carbon-Free Buildings team introduced REALIZE-MA and the 1,000 Apartment Challenge , both aimed at accelerating the adoption of building decarbonization practices and deep energy retrofits for affordable housing.??

This was a fantastic opportunity to bring together project partners, industry leaders, and local stakeholders to demonstrate the progress of implementation and encourage continued support. julie klump , Vice President, Design and Building Performance, Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH), Representative Manny Cruz of 7th Essex District MA, Senator Joan Lovely of Second Essex District MA, and Dominick Pangallo , the Mayor of Salem, MA were also onsite for the event. ?

The Role of Lighthouse Projects: Shaping the Future of Construction?

Lighthouse projects like the Fairweather Apartments are significant in achieving market maturity and saturation of retrofit technologies. These projects serve as showcases to facilitate cost reductions and industry growth. They also play a vital role in signaling to the market, educating stakeholders, and making sustainable building practices more accessible.??

We're confident that the technical and programmatic methods showcased through this lighthouse project will be scalable not only to other buildings, but other markets and geographies. - Lucas Toffoli, Principal, RMI

Insights into Fairweather Apartments: The Transformation in Detail?

The event shifted to the Fairweather Apartments, where the project team provided an in-depth overview of the deep energy retrofit. Julie Klump from POAH gave valuable insight from the owner’s perspective while Tim McDonald from Onion Flats Llc , Matt Capone from fa?ades X , and Patrick Haydon from Haycon Inc. discussed the panelization products, installation methods, and the benefits of the retrofit. They highlighted the reduced disruption to residents, cost efficiency, and the long-term impact on carbon reduction.?

The panel installation demonstration showcased the thoughtful use of industrialized construction, with a focus on minimal tenant disruption and improved quality control. The project team stressed the innovative materials used in the retrofit and their benefits for residents.??

The idea is that this is truly scalable. This project is coming in at 24% lower costs per square foot, with 8 months less construction time, and no relocation costs or disruptions for tenants. We can't forget that this is really all for the tenants. We've had many meetings with them, and they are so excited to be getting air conditioning and consistent fresh air without having to relocate. - Tim McDonald, Architect, Onion Flats

Call to Action: Philanthropists and Building Industry Innovators?

The event was a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and philanthropic support in driving positive change in the building industry. As Jon Creyts said, this is a call to action for philanthropists, investors, and building industry innovators to recognize the potential of deep energy retrofits and support projects like the Fairweather Apartments. By backing initiatives that focus on sustainability and equity, we can accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon energy system and create a better future for all. Together, we can drive positive change, one building at a time.???

↓ Download Fairweather Case Study ?

Interested in Boston affordable housing retrofits? Read our most recent article on funding .??

Learn more about RMI’s REALIZE-MA program and the 1,000 Apartment Challenge .

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