UrbanCore + Viridiant Partner for Success
At Viridiant, we understand that creating sustainable, high-performance buildings doesn’t just happen during construction. It begins early, with thoughtful planning and strong partnerships. We see our role as more than just helping housing projects check certification boxes. Our aim is to support our partners with the expertise and tools they need to build lasting, energy-efficient homes.
That’s why our work with UrbanCore has been so rewarding. Based in Richmond, Virginia, UrbanCore is a full service, mission-driven construction firm that specializes in multifamily, tenant upfit, and specialty projects. Their emphasis on collaboration and long-term community impact aligns closely with our own values at Viridiant. And when we partnered with UrbanCore on Winchester Forest, the goal wasn’t just to meet sustainability standards, it was to build lasting capacity within their team.
Winchester Forest is a new affordable housing community developed by Better Housing Coalition in Chesterfield County. UrbanCore served as the general contractor, working in partnership with Arnold Design Studio to bring the project to life. The development includes 160 energy-efficient apartments across 13 multifamily buildings, all designed and constructed to meet rigorous high-performance certification standards, including EarthCraft, ENERGY STAR, and more.
However, this project was anything but straightforward. The team faced technical hurdles of phased financing, difficult sitework, demanding schedules, and material shortages. They didn’t just need certifications; they needed a partner invested in their long-term success.
From navigating ENERGY STAR and EarthCraft requirements to identifying common performance pitfalls in the field, we worked closely to build the knowledge and confidence needed for this and future developments. Our guidance helped lead the Winchester Forest project to a HERS Index score of 57, demonstrating significant energy efficiency improvements over standard code-built structures. These results were achieved through a strategic focus on insulation, HVAC system sizing, and envelope design tailored to the real-world demands of affordable multifamily construction.
Lee Alford, Vice President of Real Estate Development at Better Housing Coalition, expressed “how pleased we are with the quality of the finished community and the partnership with Viridiant and UrbanCore that made that possible.”
That project’s success opened the door to something even more powerful. A chance to shift from one-time guidance to lasting capacity-building through tailored training for UrbanCore’s project teams.
After guiding the Winchester Forest project through key certifications, we provided in-office training on green building certification and program requirements, HERS ratings and performance testing, mechanical system design strategies, code compliance testing, and more. The goal was to build confidence and embed efficiency as a natural, integrated part of their approach to construction moving forward.
Jon Reid, Director of Preconstruction at UrbanCore, says the decision to pursue Viridiant’s tailored training was rooted in both practical and strategic motivations. “The majority of our multifamily work is affordable, and without exception, every deal involves a sustainability program,” Reid explained. “The lion’s share of those developers use Viridiant as the energy and sustainability consultant.” Our training sessions were built around practical lessons and tricks of the trade, helping teams anticipate and address issues proactively, particularly during the pre-construction phase.
What makes this collaboration especially meaningful is that it reflects the core of Viridiant’s mission: not just helping builders complete projects, but empowering them to raise the bar on what they can achieve. Because sustainability doesn’t stop with a single building: it carries value across every project, every team, and every community we touch.
Our work with UrbanCore shows what’s possible when partners come together early, communicate openly, and share a long-term commitment to better housing. We’re proud to have supported the Winchester Forest development, and even prouder to have later continued supporting UrbanCore through training and technical guidance to scale their impact. With five additional projects already underway and more on the horizon, we’re proving that high-performance building isn’t just feasible in affordable housing, it’s essential.
Interested in how Viridiant can support your team?
We offer hands-on training to help general contractors and project teams build the skills they need to deliver high-performance, energy-efficient buildings. From certifications to real-world strategies, we’re here to support your success—on this project and the next.
Let’s build better, together.