Volume 1, Issue 2

Elleven and Luma are LEEDing the Way

The first thing to come to mind when one thinks of luxury condos is probably not what kind of effect the building and its surroundings will have on water quality or the environment. Fortunately, on occasion, architects and designers do take an eco-friendly approach to development.

So is the case with Elleven and Luma, two residential high rises recently built in downtown Los Angeles at the intersection of 11th Street and Grand Ave. Both buildings were constructed by The South Group, a firm dedicated to designing and developing low-impact, environmentally-sensitive buildings and landscapes.

Awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Elleven is the first housing complex in the state to be awarded the USGBC’s second highest eco-accreditation.

Elleven and its adjacent sister building Luma, which is slated to receive the Silver honor by the USGBC, are adjoined by a pedestrian-friendly streetscape, an expansive 24-foot wide sidewalk, lush drought-resistant landscaping and stormwater filtration planters, all of which decrease the polluting effects of urban runoff. The wide sidewalks that wrap around both structures were designed to corral water into natural foliage areas.

Many thanks to The South Group for working directly with the City to coordinate this project and “LEEDing” the way with this cutting edge design.