How Green is Their Mansion?

Think about your home. While we may try to live environmentally conscious lives, if you could have it any way, would your home meet your eco-standards? For most of us, from better insulation to reduced electricity usage, greener ways to run our houses certainly exist. This problem was the inspiration for what is known as the “EcoManor” in Atlanta, Georgia. Built and designed especially for Laura Turner Seydel, daughter of famed billionaire Ted Turner, and her husband, Rutherford Seydel, EcoManor sets the bar for environmentally conscious houses. The Story The Seydels were both environmental activists in the Atlanta area. They each served on the board of or worked with several Georgia non-profits and together they founded a non-profit for preservation of the Chattahoochee River. While living the green professional life, they wanted to extend their environmental devotion to their personal lifestyles. Thus, when the idea for a green home was first conceived in 1994, the environmental impact of their house was crucial. Once LEED certification, a national rating system for the environmental efficiency of new buildings, was introduced, the Seydels had a set of standards on which to base their new green home. This means that the EcoManor and other LEED certified buildings must achieve efficiency in design, materials, reduction of waste, water use, and energy use, as well as promote the comfort and benefits of a green building. While LEED certification, sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council, is usually sought out for new office or educational buildings, some private residences such as the Seydels’ are now being designed with LEED recognition in mind. The Advantages In addition to being LEED certified, there are several other things about the EcoManor that make it a special and worthwhile home. Included in the very long list of “EcoManor Facts” are a few luxurious gems:

• Skylights, which help provide natural light and thus save energy
• Dimmable compact florescent light bulbs, which provide all the illumination for a fraction of the energy used by incandescent light bulbs
• Wooden floors, which are made from locally grown, environmentally certified trees
• Recycled furniture, which when reupholstered in natural fibers are given a second chic life

Their Advice for You On the EcoManor website, the Seydels have compiled a list of eco-living tips ranging from simple ways to check your house for maximum efficiency to green landscaping and architecture recommendations. They advice you to pay attention to the environmental impacts of your home from the very beginning. No matter what your living situation is, there is a lesson to be learned from the Seydels and their EcoManor: living in luxury can also be living green. Image Credits: EcoManor

TLofts: Sustainable Urban Living in West LA

Upscale sustainable housing options are popping up across the nation.  We explored the Riverhouse in NYC - luxury condos fit for eco celebs.  On the west coast, TLofts are celebrating sustainable living with spacious, eco-minded townhomes - centrally located and designed to minimize your environmental impact.

A joint project by premier development company, Lee Homes, and investor, City View, TLofts celebrated their grand opening this past Saturday with an urban block party and are now available for purchase.  The micro-community setting offers luxurious urban spaces in 1, 2, and 3-bedroom options with an assortment of onsite amenities and a convenient location for shopping, dining, and recreation.

The Lofts

The 4-story contemporary buildings house one and two-story lofts and townhomes, available in 6 unique and spacious floorplans.  Most units feature natural concrete and acoustic cork flooring for maximum privacy and comfort, large walk-in closets, and are prewired for all your electronic networking needs.  

Choose from:

• One bedroom/1 bath flats, averaging 1000 square-feet;
• Two-story 1 bedroom/3 bath townhome with over 2000 square-feet, featuring spacious den and office space;
• Two bedroom/2.5 baths housed in a 2-story townhome design with 1400 square feet;
• An 1800 square-foot 3 bed/3 bath option;
• Or the 1600 square-foot 2 bedroom plus option, featuring a bonus room ideal for a 3rd bedroom, den, or office.

TLofts also offers six work/live space residences - a two story layout featuring expansive office space on the lower level and spacious personal living space above.  

Sustainability

The TLofts community was created on previously developed space, reusing the existing structures and relocating unneeded dirt and concrete to minimize the need for new materials.  Framing construction is factory built rather than onsite and reflective roofing material achieves greater energy efficiency within the units.

Inside, you'll find low VOC paints and natural materials, recirculating HVAC systems, dual-flush toilets and thermostatic showers, Energy-Star appliances and lighting, and low-e glazed windows.  From the landscaping to the construction, every effort has been made to make TLofts as environmentally-friendly as possible - earning the community the California Green Builder accreditation.  

Amenities and Features

TLofts are designed for active, social, and sustainable lifestyles.  Each residence includes 2 parking spaces within the secure community garage.  The garage also features 18 electric vehicle charging stations and abundant bicycle storage.  Guest parking is also available within the covered garage.

Access to the buildings are convenient and secure, with a private lobby and elevator for convenience.  All residents can enjoy the community conference room and exercise facilities or may head outdoors to enjoy the landscaped courtyard, complete with a barbecue area and outdoor spa.

Each unit boasts an eco-friendly Smart Kitchen with an intriguing u-shaped design.  In addition to elegant Italian cabinetry and CaesarStone countertops, the kitchens include spacious slide-out pantries, out-of-site recycling and trash receptacles, and breakfast bars designed to seat 4.  Five-burner gas ranges and Energy-Star microwaves, dishwashers, and refrigerators are also available with each residence to complete the ultimate gourmet cooking experience.

Ready to Buy?

Spacious, convenient, and sustainable TLofts have just been placed on the market, starting at $415,000.  If you're ready to enjoy an eco-urban lifestyle in sunny West LA or would like more information on the residences available, the TLofts sales center is open daily and appointments can be made by calling 310-477-7733.

Images via TLofts

i-House: Innovation, Inspiration, Intelligence, Integration, Sustainability

Clayton Homes has long been the leader in manufactured housing - the introduction of the solar powered, energy efficient i-House is placing Clayton at the top of sustainable housing production as well.

Based on the traditional, rectangular form of a mobile home, the i-House puts an entirely new twist on the classic trailer.  It also introduces a new option for sustainable pre-fab living.  Four of Clayton's home manufacturing plants are already set up to produce the innovative i-House - beginning with the 1,000 square-foot prototype displayed in Knoxville earlier this year.  

Build Your i-House

With a layout unlike any other mobile home, the Clayton i-House prototype is designed to resemble an 'i' - featuring the traditional, rectangular 'core' house, plus a unique 'flex' room forming the dot above the 'i'.  Owners can opt for an L-shaped layout instead.  Both plans feature 2 ground-level decks, plus a rooftop deck above the optional 'flex' room.

The i-House went on sale nationwide in early May and can easily be custom-configured online.  Choose between a 1-bed, 1-bath core house or a 2-bedroom model, then select the original 'i' layout or the L-shaped design with a larger porch space.  The flex rooms are also customizable with either 1 or 2 bedrooms, depending on your space needs.  

Eco Features

From the roof to the appliance options, the i-House has an array of eco-friendly options.  The v-shaped metal roof promotes rainwater recycling while offering an ideal spot for the optional solar panels.  With all the optional features, the i-House could be heated and powered for less than $1 a day in optimal conditions.  

• Energy Star-rated design - 6-inch thick exterior walls, 'low-e' glazed windows, corrugated metal siding.
• Optional solar panels.
• Eco-friendly bamboo flooring.
• Tankless water heater.
• Dual-flush toilets.
• Energy Star kitchen appliance package.
• Energy Star washer and dryer.

The Future of the i-House

Clayton Homes projects widespread desire for their first attempt at sustainable manufactured housing, estimating that the i-House will account for 10% of their sales within the next year-and-a-half.  According to an Associated Press report, three developers are already considering mini-developments and Clayton believes there is a great deal of potential for vacation i-Houses.

The intriguing design, along with the home's eco-friendliness, are probably enough to drive the success of the i-House.  If not, the price will definitely boost sales.  The i-House can be purchased for less than half the price of a similar stick-built home.  A furnished, 2-bedroom model with 1,000 square feet was priced at $140,000.

Visit the i-House website for layout options and more information.

Source: The Clayton i-House

Images via Clayton Homes