Page 63 - Green Builder MagazineJan-Feb 2019 HOTY Issue
P. 63
Clean footing. Key Components
A patented slab-on-grade ALTERNATIVE BUILDING SYSTEMS:
foundation process (Tella Firma) GeoGrid EcoSmart Solution energy
avoids injection of chemicals into efficiency program
the soil below and near the homes. APPLIANCES: Bosch
It’s ideal for unstable soils. AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING,
ETC. : Prewired for Tesla EV charging
system
HOME CONTROLS: Nest thermostats
INSULATION: High-density spray foam in
walls and attic spaces
LANDSCAPING: Tella Firma Foundations
LIGHTING: LED fixtures throughout
PLUMBING PLUMBING FIXTURES: Rehau
RAUGEO PEXa vertical ground piping
SMART HOME: Google Fiber; Google Nest
SOLAR: FRE Renewable Solutions;
Canadian Solar modules and
Fronius inverters
STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS: Tella Firma
Foundations slab-on-grade foundation
TELECOMMUNICATIONS: Google Fiber
internet service
WATER HEATING: Bosch Thermotechnology
geothermal heat pumps
Project Stats
NAME: Whisper Valley, Austin, Texas
ARCHITECT DESIGNER: Pacesetter Homes
BUILDER: Pacesetter Homes
DEVELOPER: Taurus Investment Holdings
PHOTOGRAPHER: Courtesy of Pacesetter
Homes
According to EcoSmart Solution Founding Partner Axel Lerche, “Whisper Valley’s sustainable lifestyle has attracted all types of
builders are excited about GeoGrid because it can be installed homebuyers who want to reduce their carbon footprint and protect
upfront—just like water, sewer and electric utility lines—driving our environment,” the company notes. “[And] Whisper Valley is
down the cost by about 40 percent. It allows them to utilize planned having a major impact on residential real estate development by
home designs and then easily hook up to the loop system during demonstrating that sustainable development appeals to today’s
construction. homebuyer and is not only good for the environment, but it’s a good
GeoGrid’s loop system features 5 miles of Rehau RAUGEO PEXa, investment.”
vertical ground piping that enables the sharing of energy among Pacesetter Homes, Avi Homes, Buffington Homes, AHA Dream
homes throughout the block, keeping electrical costs down for Homes and GFO Home are builders involved in the project.
everyone. Some homeowners’ energy bills, for example, can be less Construction will continue in phases for at least several more
than $7 to $60 per month, way below the $300 usually seen from other years.
homes in the region. Builders, meanwhile, can add their projects onto EcoSmart has been recognized with an award for Innovative
an existing line, instead of building a separate geothermal system Energy Design at PCBC, a leading real estate conference in California,
for each home. and has been a featured presentation nationally at the Urban Land
Lerche notes that EcoSmart’s philosophy is built around aordable Institute and internationally at EXPO Real, the largest European real
sustainability—a concept that took years to perfect for builders, estate investment conference. Whisper Valley was also named Best
partners, investors and residents. New Community in Austin by the Home Building Association of
Whisper Valley homes start in the low $200,000s, making them Austin, and has received major media coverage on its sustainable
aordable for buyers ranging from young couples to empty nesters. concept. GB
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