The homes of the Prairie Hill community are all-electric, which carries an especially important meaning in Iowa, where as much as 65% of electricity supplied by the utility company is generated by wind power. This means that, as the utility companies continue to green and invest in more renewable energy, the homes will keep pace and become greener as well. The systems in the home are designed to be as energy efficient as possible, with tight envelopes, LED lighting, and Energy Star rated appliances. The heating and cooling in the homes is provided by air-to-air mini-splits that reduce energy consumption by up to 60% compared to traditional systems.

• All-electric homes

2024 LEED Homes Outstanding Multifamily Award Recipient

2019 Best New Owner-Occupied Residential Development in Iowa

Architect: John Shaw

LEED Homes Provider: IMEG
Contractor: Apex Construction

Green rater: XRG Concepts

Civil: Axiom Consulting

Structural: M2B

LEED Consultant: C-Wise Design & Consulting

• Ecovillage model

• 37-unit community

• Common House shared by community

• Social resiliency, combating loneliness

• ENERGY STAR appliances

• Daily water use of 10-15 gal/person

• Water use reduction of 75%

Daily water use in the Prairie Hill community is 10-15 gallons per person, well beneath the national average of 82. In order to accomplish this, the design utilized incredibly efficient plumbing fixtures, including a 1.0 gpf toilet, a 0.5 lavatory faucet, and ENERGY STAR washing machines. The landscaping was designed to be irrigation-free, meaning the plants are self-sustaining without any additional watering at any point in the season.

Restorative landscaping was a priority for the Prairie Hill community. Each resident is allocated a personal garden space adjacent to their unit and has the option to expand their gardens if they’d like. Additionally, a community garden sits at the top of the hill for all members to use. The ecologically-minded residents were careful in their plant choices in order to serve two main purposes: first, to provide important habitat for native insects and critters, and second, to manage rainwater and allow it to infiltrate into the soil. The plant selection was therefore geared towards prairie plants, many of which are native to Iowa and have notoriously deep roots, which aid in infiltration.

• No outdoor irrigation required

• Community connections

• Native landscaping

In 2009, a small group of Iowa City citizens came together with a simple yet innovative idea: To form housing that has a positive impact on the community and the environment. They were inspired by the idea of an ecovillage, a concept for community living that originated in Sweden. It centers on fostering connection between residents while aiming to increase cultural, economic, and environmental sustainability.

After a decade of planning, designing, and construction, the group was able to make their dream a reality with the 37-home Prairie Hill neighborhood, situated on 7.3 acres of land in Iowa City. The homes range from 515-square-foot studios to 1,600-square-foot duplexes. In addition to cutting-edge home efficiency systems and features, the community also effectively combats the pervasive problem of loneliness and isolation. The homes were intentionally designed to be smaller to encourage community connection and sharing of resources. Along with planned activities, shared meals, and a wide range of outdoor spaces, the community features a Common House where residents can gather to socialize, share meals, and relax.

LEED Gold - 30 units | 2024 | 30,000 sq ft | Iowa City, Iowa