Visionary Clients select EcoUrban to develop LEED Registered Modular Construction to Feature Solar & Geothermal

This week EcoUrban will break ground on the LEED for Homes registered Carlsson Residence at 6153 Pershing in Historic Skinker-Debaliviere Neighborhood.

This sustainable residential solution is being developed in partnership with Homeway Homes, Hoffman Brothers, Microgrid, Superior Walls, Mwanzi Green Building Supply and ASERusa.

Here is a hit list of the features:

- 2,176 square feet with 3 bed / 2.5 bath and first floor den/office/bedroom flex room.

- LEED for Homes Registered - Tracking Platinum designation / Preliminary HERS score of 49 with ASERusa serving as our energy modeler and LEED rater.

- 3 ton geothermal heating / cooling with (3) 200' vertical loops from Hoffmann Brothers Heating & Cooling with Aprilaire ERV and tankless hot water.

- Solar prewire conduit from Homeway Homes for easy install of Microgrid Energy's SolarWorld 250 3 kw solar off-grid power producing 3,873 kWh annually or roughly 50% of the home's power!

- Modular 2x6 construction with hybrid foam/batt R24 wall insulation / Low-E Energy Plus windows from Quaker Windows with a White TPO "cool" rubber roof constructed by Homeway Homes.

- Superior Walls precast foundation system with built-in R-12.5 insulation and ready-to-build out for future lower level space.

- Masonry, stucco and corrugated metal exterior siding for a modern look that fits into the neighborhood.

- 2-car garage / native landscaping

- Estimated completion date of 11/15/11

EcoUrban: Building Sustainable Solutions
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EcoUrban 3.0: Building Sustainable Solutions Kicks Ass

Reboot. EcoUrban 3.0.

It has been a long and bumpy road from idea to execution, but I think we've finally found EcoUrban's sweet spot. Having pioneered infill green-certified housing over the past 5 years with our first homes changing owners for the first time, we have found a way to keep the lights on and continue to push residential housing toward a more affordable and efficient future.

In September 2010, Nate Forst headed west to pursue his MBA at Portland State University with a focus on sustainability and all reports to date have been encouraging and while the office is much emptier we wish him the very best.

Over the years, we have learned that we excel in the conception, promotion and execution of authentic green solutions to residential, commerical and regional challenges. We've learned to be better partners & collaborators where we lack necessary skill sets. And we believe, that EcoUrban has a lot more to offer our clients than well-built energy-efficient dwellings. We also have learned that we have a lot to learn!

Yes, EcoUrban will continue to offer a range of historic & modern construction design services including residential, commercial and prefabricated design, but our services are being expanded to incorporate new opportunities.

Currently, our to-do list is focused on a sustainable consulting project where we were awarded the Regional Construction & Demolition Waste Research & Education project that we've partnered with Butterfly Energy Works & USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter to deliver in-depth research, focus groups and on web-friendly online toolkit to educate our region about the opportunities for increased construction waste diversion.

We launched Sprout to activate dated or soon to be vacant commerical space in need of focused tenant solutions. This works allows us to engage entrepreneurs and small businesses in specific fields seeking a collaborative office environment with building owners in need of energized new tenants. Look for the development of a creative/media focused Sprout, as well as another Sprout focused on community development, architecture and artists.

We continue to believe that making green building affordable to all is our long-term goal and common thread, and to this end, we plan to continue to seek out multi-family rental opportunities across the region, affordable housing developments in urban and rural areas with a focus on access to public transit and developing walkable neighborhoods.

I'm hopeful that you'll continue to tell your network of family, friends and collegues about our efforts and services and with your support we'll be able to continue our efforts to build sustainable solutions!

Best,

Jemal Swoboda, Project Manager
EcoUrban: Building Sustainable Solutions
http://www.ecourbanstl.com/
314-231-0400 ext. 4
314-662-0392 (cell)
jay@ecourbanstl.com

EcoUrban 2.0

Lately we've been looking into some pretty exciting green multi-family housing developments. They have the potential to be pretty transformative, but given the current economic climate it's definitely going to take continued time/hard work to get things going. We'll keep you updated as we move forward.

In the meantime, we've also been working with the very talented architects over at Ebersoldt + Underwood to reimagine our 1-story homes. What they've come up with is, IMHO, awesome.

One of our biggest challenges has been balancing forward-thinking architecture with demand (and a city) that leans towards a more traditional approach. It's a tough row to hoe, because you need to push the design while still addressing context. No one's really been able to pull it off here, and we all know brick facades with vinyl siding ain't gonna cut it.

I think E + U nailed it:

So What Do You Want to Do Now?

Midsummer'09. A brief lull in the action. A good time to take stock of where we are/how far we've come.


1st Round of EcoUrban Homes: sold

Lessons learned: thousands

Prime Inspiration: closed

Status of the real estate market: next question

Single-family projects in the near future: yes

Multi-family projects in the future: hopefully

Siamese Fighting Fish inherited: 2

Beards shaved: 1

Mustaches grown: 2

Possible directions in which to head: myriad.


In the coming weeks, we'll be updating this blog with more regularity. There is much to discuss, and a lot's changed since we started. We have a lot of opportunities and ideas on the table. Here's to charting a path forward with your help.


** Pictured: hitherto unreleased "retro" EcoUrban logo, circa 2005. Unreleased for obvious reasons.

The Latest

News of the Platinum Certification has really helped us get the word out there, and we have been receiving a lot of interest lately - especially from other developers and investors interested in single and mulit-family green rental units.

We're currently looking into some interesting projects -- as there has been a lot going on in the green community both in STL and beyond.

Thanks also to all of you out there who have been talking us up.

I wanted to give a shout out to one of the best modern/green sites out there: Jetson Green
You have to check out this resource if you are at all interested in the modern/green movement.

Also, check out our friends over at Low Impact Living. They are doing great work and are invaluable to websurfers seeking to "go green" in their daily lives.

Last but not least, I took this as a very good harbinger: Buffet bets on prefab homes.

Upcoming Seminar on Green Homes

Time is flying by with our homes just weeks away from being delivered, and yet somehow I convinced a few people that I know what I'm doing AND...they invited me to share this knowledge IN CHICAGO! So in a few weeks, I'll be making the trip north (and stopping by IKEA) to spread the gospel of EcoUrban - Green and Pre-Fabulous...

Pre-fab Green Homes
April 28, 2007
1:00 - 3:00 P.M.
Chicago Center for Green Technology
445 North Sacramento Boulevard

Sponsor: Chicago Center for Green Technology,
Free event. Registration required.

Presenter: Jay Swoboda, ecoUrban Homes

SYNOPSIS
Expressing one’s self through a custom-designed home is often beyond the financial reach of many buyers. This seminar will explain how modular and other styles of pre-fab construction can offer design and production technologies that have the potential to deliver affordable, high quality homes to EVERYONE. Finally, we will take a look at how market-forces are making green homes and green products make sense financially to both builders and homeowners.

Register by calling the hotline at 312/746.9642, or by emailing your desired class and contact information.