INNOVATIVE INITIATIVES

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT: HARNESSING SOLAR ENERGY

Understanding the importance of adopting renewable energy sources to reduce our operational carbon emissions, Crescent Communities implemented a process to evaluate the potential to include photovoltaics in each new community starting in 2022. As a result, three multifamily communities currently under construction will include solar panels. Recognizing that legislation supporting renewable energy sources is constantly evolving, we are including elements of solar PV-readiness in many additional communities currently in development or under construction.

MASS TIMBER: BEAUTY AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Embodied carbon is the measure of emissions resulting from all manufacturing, transportation, construction, and the end of life of any product. The embodied carbon of the real estate development industry can far outweigh the operational carbon emitted during the operating life of an efficiently constructed building. The structure of any building is generally the most carbon-intensive, as concrete and steel are responsible for a large portion of embodied carbon. By choosing alternative materials, it is possible to significantly reduce the embodied carbon emissions of any building.

ACCORDING TO WOODWORKS, THE WOOD PRODUCTS COUNCIL

As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, release the oxygen (O2) and incorporate the carbon into their wood, leaves or needles, roots, and surrounding soils. When trees are manufactured into products, they continue to store the carbon. (Wood is 50% carbon by dry weight) In the case of buildings, the carbon is kept out of the atmosphere for the lifetime of the structure—longer if the wood is reclaimed and manufactured into other products or reused.

Crescent Communities announced plans to incorporate the use of Mass Timber into the construction of Garren, an innovative office and adaptive-use community in Alpharetta, Georgia. The finished product will be warm and inviting, and lighter on the environment. More details will be shared in forthcoming reports.