Also winning an Environmental Sustainability Award is Knox Housing Partnership for the construction of infill housing on Chestnut Street. Their planning and development are models for environmental sustainability.

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Located in the Five Points neighborhood, the infill houses were designed by Thomas Caldwell. He created the units using LEED Gold standards. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

The recognition is based on several energy efficiency standards, established by the United States Green Building Council. In fact, the local Green Building Council chapter led a community-based charette in designing these houses.

Alley access, which is common in this neighborhood, provided the means to meet visitability standards. Such standards are used to assure that houses can be visited or occupied by people with disabilities.

Energy Star appliances and compact florescent lighting are used throughout each dwelling. Water conservation technologies, like low-flow faucets, are standard fixtures. They are the first new LEED Gold houses in Tennessee .

The Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee served as the contractor, overseeing house construction. Because the Commission’s infill housing guidelines were followed, the Craftsman and Victorian-style architecture fits seamlessly with the neighborhood.

Knox Housing Partnership also collaborated with the City’s Community Development Department in implementing this project. Their goals to fulfill the need for quality, affordable housing and to be a model of environmental sustainability have been realized.