Oak Hill Supportive Living Community is First in Nation to be Green Certified “Gold” by the National Association of Home Builders

Oak Hill Supportive Living Community is the first Assisted Living community in the United States to meet ICC 700 National Green Building Standard™ criteria and earn “Gold” Certification from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the International Code Council (ICC).

The green building materials and practices used in the construction of Oak Hill provide a more comfortable, healthier living experience for its residents who are senior citizens as well as a positive environmental legacy for future generations.

Opened in July, Oak Hill Supportive Living Community, located at 76 East Rollins Road, Round Lake Beach, IL, was developed by the Crown Group, Landmark Realty & Development and Evergreen Realty Services and features 94 private studio and one-bedroom deluxe apartment homes. The property is professionally managed by Pathway Senior Living. “We are proud of creating an environmentally-friendly community where Oak Hill seniors can enjoy happy and healthy lifestyles today while preserving resources for tomorrow,” said Marty Jablonski of Landmark Realty & Development. “As an added bonus, our green and energy-efficient practices result in cost savings that can be passed on to residents.”

“Oak Hill’s commitment to being compliant with green building standards from the design and construction phase through operation sets an excellent example to the senior living industry of how to plan for future generations while addressing energy and environmental concerns today,” said Art Wehnert, NAHB Green Verifier, who consulted with Oak Hill on the green building process from the beginning through NAHB “Gold” certification.

 In 2007 the NAHB and the ICC partnered to establish a much-needed and nationally-recognizable standard definition of green building. Green building is the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings use resources—energy, water and materials—while reducing the building impact on human health and the environment through better design, construction, operation and maintenance.

Oak Hill features the following green attributes:

• Interconnected walking paths to the building and throughout the community that promote outdoor exercise and feature native landscaping, which requires the use of less water and chemical fertilizers to maintain.

• An on-site greenhouse that provides the opportunity for residents to grow their own food, extends the growing season, offers a climate-controlled space for seniors to garden comfortably and promotes healthier eating with fresh, organic produce.

• Efficient heating and cooling of the building along with advanced insulation techniques minimize heating and cooling loss and provide residents and staff with a comfortable environment year round and significant energy cost savings.

• Use of low VOC adhesives, sealants and paints and use of non-formaldehyde processed insulation reduce the amount of toxins in the air and help those with lung disease and asthma breathe easier.

• Energy star rated appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers, light and ceiling fans conserve natural resources and keep energy bills lower.

• Water-conserving plumbing fixtures help residents preserve water resources for future generations.

Oak Hill is the first and only assisted living green building to undergo the full rating system and receive approval from the American National Standards Institute. The ICC 700 National Green Building Standard™ defines green building for single-family homes, low-, mid-, and high-rise multifamily buildings, residential remodeling projects, and site development projects while still allowing for the flexibility required for regionally-appropriate best green practices.

Oak Hill features brand new supportive living apartments with call systems, three meals a day, support services as needed, activities and outings and other social opportunities at an affordable monthly rate. A financial safety net is available to those who qualify. Amenities include a billiard room, dining and community rooms, beauty salon, library, greenhouse and movie theatre.

The community is operated by Pathway Senior Living, which operates 12 other supportive living residences in Illinois. For more information, please call Oak Hill at 847-201-1100.