Sawara

Seattle, Washington

Sustainable, Affordable Housing in Seattle’s Yesler Neighborhood

Sawara is a seven-story, 114-unit affordable housing development in Seattle’s Yesler neighborhood, designed to support low-income residents. The building offers a mix of one- to four-bedroom apartments, including units tailored for individuals with hearing or visual impairments and “Breathe Easy” units designed for those with respiratory health concerns. As part of Seattle City Light’s Exemplary Buildings Program, Sawara incorporates sustainable design features such as photovoltaic solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, and advanced ventilation systems to promote healthier indoor environments.

Beyond energy efficiency, the development fosters community through a range of thoughtful amenities, including a childcare center, community room, library, social service offices, a central courtyard, playground, underground parking, and bike storage.

With ambitious sustainability goals, the project targets an Energy Use Index (EUI) of 20 kBtu/SF/yr or lower. It complies with the 2015 Seattle Energy Code through the Prescriptive Path and aligns with the Housing Development Consortium’s Exemplary Buildings Pilot Program. Meeting Evergreen Sustainable Development Standards (ESDS), the building achieves airtightness of 0.25 CFM/SF at 75 kPa, high-performance lighting with an LPD 25% better than code, and a central heat pump water heating system.

Ecotope played a key role in the project by designing mechanical and plumbing systems that meet the Seattle Energy Code, ESDS, and the Exemplary Building Program. Ecotope also conducted preliminary energy modeling to ensure compliance with stringent energy performance targets, securing $400,000 in incentives through the Exemplary Buildings Pilot Program.

Learn more about the project here:

• Heat Pump Water Heater. Housing Development Consortium Exemplary Buildings, January 2021
• Sawara Exemplary Building Energy Study. Ecotope, May 2021