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DEL.ICIO.USRoswell residences a new definition for a green, solar community
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Weatherford Place in Roswell is not your usual residential community under construction.
For one thing, there are no Dumpsters on the site. There’s no need because nearly all the excess construction waste is put back to use.
From top to bottom, inside and out, Weatherford Place is developing a new definition for a green residential community. It eventually will have eight homes on 1.6 acres of land bordering Crossville Creek.
The three visionaries behind the development call it a “solar community of net-zero energy homes,” built to the greenest building standards. They call their home designs EcoCraft: designed and built to nature’s code.
“This is the first of its kind,” says Simone du Boise, an architect specializing in environmental design. “There’s not another neighborhood like this.”
Each home is designed to a platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) level and the entire development will be platinum LEED —- the first in the United States, according to business partner Dan Downey.
But it’s the solar power that really sets the development apart.
“Think of each one of these homes as a little power plant,” du Boise says. She explains that the solar energy generated immediately gets put on the power grid. Georgia Power credits each home for the power it generates, and du Boise says design specifications show that each home will generate more power than it needs —- which is how they become net-zero energy homes.
“This home will use two-thirds less energy than the typical home,” Downey says. “We are using the heat generated from the solar panels to heat the water.”
One house, already purchased by an investor, has been built as a model for how the other seven homes will work. Attention was given to every detail: the location of the windows, the wood used, the carpet, the paint, the fixtures (both light and plumbing), the 1,880 gallon cistern placed underground to capture rainwater, and even a manually-operated dumbwaiter to help move groceries, meals, laundry, suitcases and other stuff from floor to floor. The list is endless.
The third visionary behind Weatherford is designer Denise Donahue. She has integrated the project’s themes and philosophy at every level.
For example, there was a “ground blessing” instead of a groundbreaking, held on the summer solstice last summer —- the day with the most light.
The first part of the development was to restore one-third of the land to green space. Workers also stabilized the embankment next to Crossville Creek to prevent runoff of dirt and containments.
Other features include a community gazebo, a back-up generator for the neighborhood in case all the power goes out and a garden overlooking the creek.
Each home will be a living laboratory, equipped with monitors and sensors to track how environmentally friendly these homes will be. Developers are partnering with Georgia Power and Kennesaw State University to collect information for energy management and efficiency studies.
Donahue, du Boise and Downey are nontraditional in another way. Their company is called Cadmus Construction, but it actually is a one-stop shop of architectural design, landscape, construction and development.
“We take ownership of doing everything to ensure the integrity of the project,” Donahue says. “We don’t think the world needs another developer or builder or general contractor or even another architect. We think the world needs environmental stewards.”
These homes are on the market for about $750,000 each and have 2,500 to 3,900 square feet if a homeowner desires a finished basement. According to Downey, the first home already has been appraised at $1 million.
“We are trying to prove that you can profitably build a state-of-the-art green home and sell it at market price,” Downey says.
“We really do believe we can do these homes for the low-income, affordable homes so people don’t have to make a choice of heat or eat,” du Boise adds.
“We’d like to start a non-profit organization to do affordable homes,” says Donahue, looking to the future.
The project is named after Louis Weatherford, who originally owned the property. He was a gardener/farmer who annually would recycle seeds from vegetables and fruit he grew.
Every homeowner will receive a bag of seeds from Weatherford’s garden to continue the cycle of life. The gazebo is in memory of Weatherford’s late wife, Cora, who had always wanted one. It’s built partly with wood from the barn that used to be on the property.
Donahue says every homeowner automatically will become lifetime members of the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (she’s on its board).
Clearly, du Boise, Donahue and Downey have put their hearts and souls into this project. As du Boise said: “Right now, we have put everything we have into this.”
Donahue says Weatherford Place is the culmination of their careers.
“When you believe in something, you risk everything,” Donahue says. “This is the beginning of a movement. It’s about making something good happen in the world.”
For more information, go to www.weatherfordplace.com.
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Comments
By mp
June 9, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
this is great ….but its stuff like the “ground blessing” instead of a groundbreaking, held on the summer solstice last summer —- the day with the most light!!! that makes people think that this is extreme garbage that takes it out of the main stream.Come on focus on the sensible science.NOT the mystic…..building an high end one is smart maybe others will follow. but honestly its the lower income families that NEED this technology and they are the ones who know the least about it.build an average one and market it focusing on how much it takes to run and maintain and maybe we have a chance of changing the way Americans think
By Wow
June 9, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
8 homes on 1.6 acres???
By Cool
June 9, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
This is awesome stuff. Unfortunately most homebuilders don’t have the brain power to do stuff like this, and the state sure doesn’t encourage.
By CalSun
June 9, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
Great project. I applaude Cadmus Construction. I assume they still qualify for a federal tax break. Innovators like SolarCity in Foster City, California are leading they way in assisting middle & lower-middle income earners into the exciting world of solar power. I know because I’m a client of theirs. I’m having a 2.4 kW system installed on my 1400 sq ft home in the SF Bay Area. This will be a 15 yr lease, with zero-down payment at $79 per month — amazing. I encourage others around the country to embrace this cost-effective business model.
By newkid
June 9, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
Now we’re talkin’.
By Thor
June 10, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
CHAMBLEE is the first city in Georgia to MANDATE LEED for all buildings 20,000sqft or greater.
Chamblee is ahead of the curve with this requirement to build Green!
By Stourley Kracklite
June 10, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
“… there are no Dumpsters on the site.” Hello! You’ve been greenwashed!
By Donald Miller AIAS
June 10, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Fantastic initiatives. Way to stick it to those who think this is still a hippie dream. If I had the opportunity I would apply to your firm simply due to the short paragraph I read. Congratualtions on your success and being pioneers of this truely wonderful frontier. Keep on going and keep inspiring “great minds” to become great activists in a movement that will not go away.
By Hobbersquach
June 10, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
MP - Clearly you’ve never been a part of a construction project if you can not believe in the “ground blessing”. I hope Cadmus ceremony becomes as influential as their green building!
By Hobbersquach
June 10, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
MP - Clearly you’ve never been a part of a construction project if you can not believe in the “ground blessing”. I hope Cadmus ceremony becomes as influential as their green building!
By John in Jacksonville
June 10, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
“Platinum” is the highest rating possible under the LEED system, and is extremely hard to achieve. There is no greenwashing if they earned Platinum, because the teams must rigorously document every point. As for the “ground blessing,” I think many who would buy here will be true believers at least in environmentalism, and will appreciate the powerful symbolism. It shows that the design team was inspired by principles more than by points. Some conservatives may perceive the blessing as pagan, but those types won’t be looking for this kind of house anyway - it’s far too progressive! :-) I believe the rising cost of oil will make solar power competitive within a decade, so widespread solar may be closer than we think. The enduring legacy of these homes, then, may not be the solar features, as the reporter feels, but other green features that challenge the market to do better in other ways. Last thought, on lower income sustainable housing: LEED is designed to create market transformation, and you can’t transform the building industry without testbeds like this development, that prove that the concepts work. Today’s leading edge becomes tomorrow’s standard; or as they say, “a rising tide lifts all boats.” Weatherford is helping turn the tide!
By Adam
June 11, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
Zero energy homes require a larger intial investment in the construction cost of the home and the renewable energy systems. When those costs are covered, the homeowner is sheltered from rising energy costs and the home produces as much energy as it uses on an annual basis. Lack of utility bills is a wonderful idea for everyone, but the reality is that you must invest up front to recieve that benefit. This means choices when spending one’s budget. If it all goes into the size of the house or the finishings of the house there won’t be money left for the systems, which are historically a lesser consideration. It’s a shift in thinking for most to move from purchasing the most house their money can buy to ‘right-sizing’ their house for their needs and balancing the amenities with the systems for net-zero energy consumption. Our firm specializes in designing custom zero energy homes throughout the US that are then built by local builders. This requires extensive energy modeling and mechanical engineering that are not normal part of a typical design process, and doesn’t leave specifications of the house open to local builder interpretation. Perhaps at some point code will require standards of net-zero for every home, but until then it’s up to those who decide that it’s a priority in their new home to implement such standards.
http://www.ZeroEnergy.com
By Local Business Owner
June 11, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this
Wonderful!! This needs to be taken the next step to be applicable in commercial settings - help offset rising energy costs from businesses that are failing as a consequence of failed energy policies,rising business taxes from payroll, permits, to property taxes.
By Bob
June 11, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
Wait a second. A great home cost about $125/sq ft to build. Total electric for a 2400 sq/ft homes runs $200 a month. These homes cost $175/sq ft. That works out to $125,000 extra!!!!!!!!
If energy cost is zero $, that means a payback of 50 YEARS! assume no interest!
I find it funny that the Gov. has to take money from my family so others can build a house with solar panels. Or esle no one would invest that much.
By Bob
June 11, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
8 homes on 1.6 acs! Thats a 93 ft by 93 ft lot. I have no prob. with that as long as there was some green space set aside, as I think it was.
By EcoHome Guy
June 19, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
EcoCraft: a new green building standard for Atlanta.
Congratulations to this team on the significant milestone of LEED Platinum Neighborhood. I have a client who is building a home that is tracking on LEED Platinum in the Old Fourth Ward. The home alone is a high bar. The entire neighborhood is quite an achievement.
We are in beginning stages of development on a LEED Platinum Neighborhood in Clarkston that will be closer to the “affordable” price range. We are actively seeking like-minded investors for the project.
http://www.ecohomeguy.com