Credit: Courtesy McNeill Burbank

Live and Learn

The setting: Master plan in a college town

College towns tend to be pro-gressive by nature, and Briar Chapel, a 1,589-acre TND by Newland Communities in Chapel Hill, N.C., is continuing that tradition. Located just around the corner from a trio of powerhouse schools (University of North Carolina, Duke University, and North Carolina State), the town is giving area residents a lesson in sustainability.

Its master plan incorporates tree preservation, stormwater management, wetlands protection, native landscaping, and 900 acres of open space with miles of walking trails, boardwalks, and bike paths. Natural construction debris (such as wood and granite slab derived during site grading) is pulverized to make roadbeds and mulch. Roadways are designed to preserve the natural beauty of the setting and to maximize tree canopies for native birds.

Credit: Courtesy McNeill Burbank

That same “waste not” ethos applies at the house level as well. All homes at Briar Chapel are built to rigorous North Carolina Green Build Initiative standards to maximize energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and water conservation. That includes two collections of reasonably priced (starting at $210,000) and exceedingly pretty cottages by McNeill Burbank Homes, a subsidiary of regional builder Saussy Burbank. The smallest cottage clocks in at 1,500 square feet.

Outfitted with air-tight ventilation systems and high-efficiency appliances and fixtures, the cottages are super energy savers, but one of the greenest things about them is their size, says Joe Robinson, a project manager for McNeill Burbank.

“We build homes that are well-designed and right-sized,” he says. “That in itself is sustainable. If a home is built with integrity and character, then 100 years from now the owner might tear out the kitchen countertops or remodel a bathroom, but it’s less likely the entire home will be razed [and sent to the landfill].”

Degree in economics: Designed for maximum ergonomic and energy efficiency, McNeill Burbank’s floor plans have no dead spaces. Traditional exteriors are clad in durable, earth-friendly fiber-cement siding.

Credit: Courtesy McNeill Burbank

It’s a philosophy the builder hopes will resonate with design-conscious, budget-conscious, environmentally conscious buyers including professors, graduate students, and health-care workers from nearby universities. Presales for the first offering of cottages began in May of this year, and so far seven have sold.

The community officially opened in late September, and buyers thus far seem to be appreciating its light imprint and not-so-big lifestyle. Plus, there are plenty of bonus amenities to love at Briar Chapel including courses, workshops, and lifelong learning programs created in partnership with the academic institutions next door—to keep minds fertile and open to new ideas.

COMING NEXT MONTH: The second part of our series: small attached affordable homes.