Since COVID, the multifamily industry has paid closer attention to indoor air quality to curb the spread of airborne illnesses. But for Specialized Real Estate Group, the matter is more personal.
The CEO of the Arkansas-based developer and multifamily manager struggled with asthma as a child and has made air quality a key part of his building ethos.
“His passion for healthy indoor environments has spread through the entire company,” says Cory Amos, a licensed architect and Specialized’s project manager.
Multifamily units present unique challenges when it comes to indoor air quality. Among them:
Shared spaces and systems: Shared walls, ventilation systems, and common areas mean pollutants can easily spread from one unit to others. The company addresses this with enhanced mechanical systems and advanced ventilation, including exhaust hoods in every kitchen, to reduce cross contamination.
Tight building envelopes: While good for energy efficiency, tight construction can restrict the flow of fresh air, potentially trapping indoor pollutants. That’s why Specialized installs air exchangers that exhaust stale air and bring in fresh.
Material selection: Paint, flooring, and adhesives can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that affect air quality. Low or no-VOC materials and hard flooring, as opposed to allergen-harboring carpet, are standard in Specialized’s units.
Pet ownership: Everyone loves cats and dogs, but their dander is one of the biggest air-quality offenders. To keep residents and their pets healthy, Specialized eliminated carpets, which traps hair and dander, in favor of hard surfaces. This, combined with high-efficiency air filtration, further minimizes allergens.
While Specialized strives for LEED status, which addresses indoor air quality, as a guideline for high construction standards, the company realized it could push the envelope even further by achieving the EPA’s Indoor airPlus certification. Indoor airPLUS is specifically designed to improve indoor air quality in homes and multifamily units with strict guidelines to reduce pollutants inside buildings.
“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from our residents, who see our focus on indoor air quality as a way to improve their health and live in a healthier environment,” Amos says.
A Net-Zero Mindset
Specialized’s newest project, First Street Flats in downtown Rogers, Arkansas, exemplifies the company’s approach to healthy and sustainable buildings. First Street Flats, featuring a Quonset community space and a screened porch with a hearth, plans to produce 100% of its energy on-site via solar panels with the aim of achieving net-zero energy. Additionally, the project will pilot an energy monitoring system that allows the management team to track energy consumption per unit and educate residents on ways to reduce their usage. The goal is to create a collaborative effort among residents to achieve energy savings and contribute to the net-zero target.
Other energy-efficient features include a centralized water-heating system and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
“EV charging is important. We typically do six to eight spaces per project and run conduit for more because we see the demand growing as the technology improves,” Amos says.
Specialized’s commitment to health and environmental responsibility is not just a selling point; it’s a core value that shapes every project it undertakes.
Cox Communities is proud to work alongside companies like Specialized and support sustainability efforts by offering energy-efficient features such as smart thermostats, lighting, and other devices that help lower utility bills. Take a deeper dive into these technologies.