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Sycamore Model, Georgetown Village

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Sycamore Model, Georgetown Village

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  Photos by Teshler Creative

  Light-colored masonry and 24-inch overhangs minimize heat gain in summer, thus lightening the home's HVAC load. Additional energy conserving features include low-E double pane windows, centralized mechanicals, and spray foam insulation for a tighter building envelope. Limestone for the exteriors was locally quarried.

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  Water conservation is also central to the program. Gutters run into collection barrels that redistribute rainwater for irrigation, and the site's drought-tolerant vegetation is outfitted with a programmable zoned sprinkler system. A locally sourced 'chocolate loam' top soil provides maximum retention of water and nutrients in the landscaping.

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  Interiors by Count Castle Designs feature 5-inch plank natural walnut floors, Mohawk Portico carpet (made from recycled plastic soda bottles) and low-VOC paints, varnishes and adhesives.
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  All window treatments and custom bedding in the model home were made from overstock and fabric remnants from local workrooms. As a result, scrap was diverted from the landfill, and gas miles used to transport goods to the site were reduced.

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  Eco-friendly furnishings were sourced from retailers such as IKEA (which maintains a formal program to reduce manufacturing waste), Natural LEE Furniture (which donates one tree for every piece of furniture sold), and Loft, an Austin boutique that sells case goods made from FSC-certified wood. In addition, select pieces purchased from a local consignment shop gave items that might otherwise have been trashed a new lease on life.

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  GE Energy Star appliances and low-flow plumbing fixtures help keep the house running with maximum efficiency. Additional energy-saving features include a tankless water heater, ceiling fans (to reduce air conditioning needs), and compact fluorescent lighting.

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  Built to NAHB Green Building standards, the 2,834 square foot home includes four bedrooms, 2 ?? baths, a game room, and study. Plus a detached, 2-car garage topped by a studio accessory unit.

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  -A lot of builders will say, 'I don-t want to put extra stuff behind the sheetrock because I can-t sell that. We are selling that,' says Green Builders president and CEO Clark Wilson. The key is explaining to buyers how unseen high performance features such as spray foam insulation ultimately translate into energy savings. 'When your house ends up paying for your granite countertops, that's tangible,' he says. Speaking of which, the granite in this house was locally quarried, meaning there was very little petroleum used getting those slabs to the job site. That's another cost that didn't get passed on to the buyer.