Net-Zero Solar Row
"What was once the vacant 27-acre site of the Holiday Drive-In Theater is now the Holiday Neighborhood, a new 333-unit community in Boulder, Colorado that combines ingenuity with affordability. Boulder Housing Partners acted as master developer and land developer for the Holiday Neighborhood in a unique partnership with local government, seven developers and at least seven other non-profit organizations in the creation of the Holiday Neighborhood.
The Holiday Drive-In parcel in North Boulder was originally slated for development as big box retail. The City of Boulder purchased the property to allow more community-appropriate development. The City of Boulder sold the parcel to BHP at-cost, gave the neighborhood a density bonus for its high amount of affordable housing, and waived most of the site development fees. The City was key in making the Holiday Neighborhood successful in providing a high level of affordability that is also economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable.
Barrett Studio Architects and Studio 2 Landscape Architects created a cohesive site plan using feedback gained during public meetings with the public, neighbors and future residents. As a result, the neighborhood is walkable, contains space for a variety of development types, and connects well both internally and with the surrounding community." (Boulder Housing Partners)
The Holiday Neighborhood has incorporated themes to help preserve our past. If you have lived in Boulder long, you might recall the days of the twin screen Holiday Drive In Theater. The theater operated at the site from 1969 to 1988. The developers named Easy Rider Lane after the first movie that brought people to North Boulder. The Drive-In Marquee has also been preserved. It a rare representation of the “googie” style popular in the 1950s. You can enjoy a view of this prominent landmark from the community gardens or the bike path along US 36.
Solar Row Townhomes
Perhaps the best example of affordable sustainable, “green” housing in Holiday is the Solar Row project. Consisting of nine homes ranging from 1200 to 1700 square feet, with Net Zero energy consumption and lots of green features, the development was built by Wonderland Hill Developments, which builds sustainable communities based on concepts that combine personal values, community, organic design and sustainable building practices and principles.
Each Solar Row unit has an attached garage plus porches, patios and/or decks to enjoy the Boulder backdrop and pleasant weather. These upscale units are designed with European-loft style in mind and feature high ceilings, high-end finishes and an indoor air quality that is healthier than traditional, non-green homes. Solar Row homes include the following as standard features:
Photovoltaic (PV) arrays, providing solar electricity to each home
Solar Thermal Hot Water system for domestic hot water uses such as showers/dishes and hydronic baseboard heat
Super-tight Building Envelope with 2x6 framing (vs. 2x4 framing) which increases insulation value of walls
Spray foam and wet-blown cellulose insulation
Hardiplank cement fiber board siding
Recycled and readily renewable construction materials are standard. These include: Bamboo flooring, Trex decking, plush recycled pop bottle carpeting, engineered floor and roof trusses