Quetzal Gardens

This $50M, 71 unit, San Jose community for low-income families was RCD’s first all-electric development, but not its last—the developer has adopted an all-electric standard going forward. It was also the first mid-rise where RCD attempted a Zero Net Energy design, and project’s all-electric design played a role in supporting San Jose’s 2020 zoning ordinances requiring all multifamily housing be all-electric, from low-rise to high-rise. RCD documented at Quetzal Gardens that all-electric construction was cost-neutral and far more efficient than gas equipment they were familiar with. Other noteworthy features include space-saving car-lift parking garage, the interior playground on the fourth-floor roof, and the thoroughly solarized roof. The solar array succeeded in offsetting 40% of the development energy use, even though it had access to only 40% of the roof, illustrating the possibility of a truly ZNE six-story building if all the roof was used. Redwood Energy performed the Zero Net Energy, Title 24 and Green Point Rated certifications. This 110,000 sf. development was completed in 2022.