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“Hallwayless” design gives the flats at Le Parisien semi-private entrances, making the flats more like town homes. There are no common corridors. This design innovation reduces noise and provides cross ventilation for each unit, diminishing the problem of stale air. Energy efficiency is increased by reduced reliance on air conditioning. According to the Minneapolis Department of Inspections, Le Parisien is the only example of new construction with hallwayless design in Minneapolis multihousing of four stories or more. |
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Acoustical engineering creates a quiet living environment. Industry leader Orfield Labs has engineered the walls and floors to minimize sound transference and impact of noise. |
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Bringing a “rooftop garden” down to the second story is a fresh application of this concept. At the top of a building, a green-garden rooftop is largely unseen by passersby or residents. At Le Parisien this green-garden space is visually accessible, enhancing both the streetscape and the daily lives of those who live in the building. It also reduces heat absorption on the urban landscape. |
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The 15/12 roof pitch, unusually steep for construction in the United States, originated with thatched roofs because it effectively sheds rain and snow. This architectural feature not only gives a distinctive look to the exterior of Le Parisien, but also creates a dramatic interior space that allows for owner’s suite lofts. |
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Smaller details of design at Le Parisien also are eco-friendly. Examples include in-floor radiant heating; kitchen cabinetry constructed out of “agri-board,” (agricultural cellulose); and Australianmade dual-flush toilets to minimize water use. |
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Providing a “walk-to-shop” lifestyle for residents was a major consideration in site selection for Le Parisien. Proximity to the Wedge Co-op was a conscious choice so that residents would have access to organic products within walking distance of their homes. And there are car-share hubs in the vicinity. This service will allow residents to forego owning two cars, or perhaps any car at all. (The heated, enclosed garage allows one space per condo unit.) |
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Floor plans were analyzed by a feng shui consultant, not as an afterthought, but before the plans were finalized. The value of this is twofold. First, many improvements were made to plans based upon common sense insights offered by feng shui. Second, this analysis helped identify specific qualities of each unit. |
