6120 Maxie – February Development Update

Major construction of the 6120 Maxie St townhomes is well underway with the frame and exterior structure complete.

The first phase of the 2.1 KW Solar photovoltaic solar system is already on the roof.  Alternative Power Solutions is our provider of Solar generation.   They recently installed another photovoltiac system on Maxie St.  We are looking forward to grid tie in so we can start offsetting the usage of electricity during the final phases of construction.

Showcase custom vinyl Energy Star compliant windows and Champion Windows (PDF) with low-E ratings installed.

Sherwin Williams Resilience Exterior grade paint applied to the stucco and exterior siding.  This paint features a Low VOC formula and formulated with MoistureGuard™ Technology to deliver moisture resistance 50% faster.  The exterior colors feature Techno Gray for the base with Rural Green accent walls.

You cant see the inside yet, but we are featuring a three zoned air conditioning system designed by Airtron Houston, water saving features which include dual flush toilets and highly efficient faucets and showerheads.  More details to come…

Green Features in our Developments

What is a green home?
Green homes are often visually indistinguishable from conventional homes. The difference is in the details. Designed and constructed to provide a variety of health and ecological benefits, green homes offer:

• Healthier indoor air quality – by using low toxic building materials and finishes, supplying good air flow, limiting potential for mold growth and maximizing use of hard surfaces
• Energy and water efficiency – by optimizing home and garden design and utilizing appliances that conserve energy and water
• A cleaner environment – by reducing waste, pollution and emission of greenhouse gases
• A smaller ecological footprint – by using sustainably harvested and recycled resources, as well as minimizing environmental impact from site development
• Reduced maintenance costs – through lowered utility bills and use of the highest quality durable materials
• Reduced construction impact – minimizes environmental impact from site development

Green Mode Designs incorporated these environmentally conscious features to design and develop green homes in Houston:

• Wood Floors – Bamboo wood flooring – fast growing high tensile strength tropical plant, grows to maturity in substantially less time than traditional hardwoods.
• Toilets – dual flush toilets throughout home (1.6/0.8 gallon), able to reduce water usage by 67%.
• Sinks – water efficient sink fixtures rated at 2.5 gallons per minute
• Showcase Windows – Low E (emissivity) Insulated Glass with double panes (Energy Star compliant)
• Daylighting – 98% of living spaces and closets are day-lit with windows and skylights
• Roof System – Techshield Radiant Barrier in roof to minimize heat gain and loss thru roof system
• Shingles – rated 30 years, light colored for low heat absorption; Metal Copper-cote roof (LEED & Energy-Star)
• HVAC – Multi-zoned 14 SEER air conditioning system, CFC Reduction in HVAC Equipment, supply and return air ducts located in interior spaces for better energy efficiency
• Insulation – High R factor insulation exceeds minimum code R-13 requirement; R-15 exterior walls, R-30 ceilings; R-26 common-walls
• Garage and Attic spaces – Insulated walls and ceilings
• Paint – Low-VOC paint (lower emissions, better Indoor Air Quality) – ICI Dulux
  
• Building materials – Local / Regional building materials used which require less transportation impact
• Appliances - Energy Star rated to lower annual energy usage impact
• Lighting – CFL light bulbs used in kitchens and closets and garages and exterior light fixtures, an energy efficient alternative that emits soft soothing white light
• Exterior – Traditional Mediterranean white masonry stucco – the 3 layers of concrete minimizes heat absorption and is easy to maintain
  
• Construction process – majority of the cardboard, glass, plastic, aluminum and metals were recycled during the entire development process. Benefits of recycling were conveyed to tradesmen and sub-contractors during the building process
• Recycling bins provided for city neighborhood recycling programs
• Site plan – sustainable small in-fill footprint, built around surrounding native trees
• Landscape – Use of native vegetation and gravel beds to minimize use of water and irrigation

Cityview on Ridgewood Concept/Renderings

In conceptualizing the design for Cityview on Ridgewood, we wanted to develop a home that embodies minimalistic design while bringing in an abundance of natural light. Careful consideration of the design was taken when developing the layout to how the future homeowners would move throughout their home in an open living space. This is featured in the variation of ceiling and floor heights and light coming in from various windows/skylights throughout the home.

Windows are strategically positioned to take advantage of the movement of the sun throughout the day:

• North – Majority of large windows positioned to bring in the Northern light during the day to. This allows for plenty of natural light w/o the heat gain.
• South – Smaller windows/skylights in each closet and bathroom, allow for daylighting which save the cost of having to use electric lights in those rooms during the day
• East - Pocket windows positioned in the Master Bedroom facing East to take advantage of the morning Sunlight.
• West – Pocket windows positioned towards to West in the main dwelling area and living room to bring in natural light during the end of each day as the Sun sets.

Conceptual renderings (click for larger image)

Green Homes in Houston