Arete Apartments by Natural & Built Environments

Location: Kirkland
LEED Platinum, LEED MF Project of the Year 2017

Outstanding Multi-Family Project: Arete, Kirkland, Wash. — Built by Natural & Built Environments and developed by Sustainable Kirkland, LLC, five buildings make up the Arete community that earned LEED Platinum status last year. This is the first micro apartment project in the city of Kirkland and consists of living, working and art-centered spaces. Energy performance is one of the greatest successes for this community as some buildings surpass 40 percent savings over the LEED baseline. Additional energy features include solar hot water providing 40 percent of annual demand, triple pane windows, blown-in-blanket insulation, advanced air sealing, 100 percent LED lighting, efficient central ventilation, and 96 percent efficient boilers with radiant in-floor heat.

Arete is located on Lake Washington near two local Marinas, Marina Park and Carillon Point and is apart of the 10 Minute Community. The city offers miles of bike lanes and a series of bike routes called the "7 Hills of Kirkland." Downtown Kirkland has a bicycle rental program, as well. Big Finn Hill Park, a 220-acre park, includes a five-mile mountain bike trail. Kirkland Urban on Central Way features a new shopping center with new shops coming soon including a large movie theatre and QFC shopping center.

Walkscore: 89, very walkable

Transit Score: 50, Good Transit

Bike Score: 62