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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South City SIPS!

Take a walk over to 4268 Hartford (intersection of Hartford and Morganford) in the Tower Grove South Neighborhood and check out the greenest residential project going in STL. EcoUrban is proud to have worked with Blue Brick Construction to envision a unique home made of Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPS). The technology pairs traditional building materials with up to 9.5 inches of foam insulation that is structurally sound and provides an the equivalent of R30 insulation value. Basically, it's the same line of thinking that allows you to hold a 180-degree cup of coffee in a foam cup that's 1/8 of inch thick without feeling the heat. The owners of 4268 will soon be enjoying some of the most efficient construction offered anywhere. Easy on the environment, and easy on the monthly bills. If you're over near Morganford Ave, stop on in and check out progress. It's a quick walk over from the Cup games you're undoubtedly enjoying at the Amsterdam Tavern. When finished, the owners will pursue a LEED Platinum rating for this home!

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:

EcoUrban First Unit SOLD!!!

Well, we here at EcoUrban have been peddling our green homes and communities for a couple of years and can finally answer the question of "How many have you sold?" with a bit more confidence after the sale of 3105 Magnolia on September 26th to two young attorneys who moved from a loft downtown. The owners were able to get a great deal thanks to the pleasant state of the real estate market and I am confident they will see a solid return on their urban, green investment - especially when we finalize the LEED for Homes certification upon the completion of the attached townhome at 3103 Magnolia.

In addition to the future value the owners will hopefully realize as the market improves...they will immediately see HUGE monthly savings with their 14 SEER high-performance heat pump, EnergyStar windows and appliances all on top of 2x6 modular construction with icynene foam insulation.

If you are feeling a bit jealous...there are still two existing EcoUrban homes available. Next door to our first sale is a mirrored floor plan with solid Grass Elements bamboo, stainless steel EnergyStar appliance and an opportunity to improve the HVAC efficiency with a higher performing heat pump (still to be installed) all for $179,900. And if living in a LEED for Homes Platinum certified home (The 10th in the country) seems intriguing our display home is still available for $209,900 and I can provide documentation of over $290K in disbursements related to the building and development of this awesome 1900 sqare foot home with 3 beds, 2.5 baths, Varenna kitchen, bamboo throughout, native landscaping and a 2-car garage. Our loss...is your gain!

Thanks for all the support and interest and I look forward to building on the success of our first sale!

Jay

Magnolia Townhomes Completed in Tower Grove East!!!

The west or inside unit is under contract but we are still seeking a committed green home owner for the east or outside unit with the larger yard.

Priced at $184,900 with up to 3% towards closing costs and prepaids.

2 Bedrooms / 2.5 Baths

1600 square feet

LEED for Homes Registered

Starting the New Year with a BANG!!!

Our LEED for Homes Platinum dwelling @ 3140 Pennsylvania finally got the facelift we had been planning for several months with the installation of recycled aluminum cladding over the cedar battons. It was time we figured to quiet the detractors and to prove that contemporay modern design can be a quality addition to a traditionally historic neighborhood. Local contractor Mike Solomon put the cladding from Foreman Fabricators on over the past few days...and I can tell you the number of drive-bys applying their brakes has increased 10-fold.

Just a slight improvement...

Also, check out the great press we received from Louis @ Show-Me St. Louis:

http://www.ksdk.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=138016

Have a great start to the year and be sure to check out the updates to our display and our two historic homes @ 3103 & 3105 Magnolia.

Cheers,

Jay

EcoUrban Homes Named as Local Green Giant

EcoUrban Homes Named as Local Green Giant by St. Louis Magazine...below Nate Forst and I are looking pretty good - I mean who wouldn't buy a home from THESE guys...



And our LEED for Homes Platinum project in Benton Park West was featured as well:



Check out the interior shots and green features...



Thanks St. Louis Magazine, Steve Schenkenberg, Susan Jackson and Dilip Vishwanat for your great work and for your commitment to educating the community and your promotion of green!

Happy New Year and here is to a GREEN 2008!

Jay, Nate and Amos
EcoUrban Homes

Signs, Sign, everywhere the Signs...

You would swear some out-of-towner deceided to drop these BEAUTIFUL site signs down on our two sites. I'm taking bets on how long they last before the neighborhood characters vandalize them - I'm hopeful - but realistic. We deceided to go with the modern facade for both signs even though the two homes on Magnolia will be historic. I felt it more important to have a common look and feel rather than attempting to confuse passer-bys with multiple signs.

Your feedback is always appreciated. ECO! ECO! ECO! ECO! ECO! ECO! ECO!