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

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!

Pre-Regeneration Regeneration

Lots of NorthSide talk these days. Lots.

Even if you do, in fact, live under a rock in the St. Louis region, I'm willing to bet you still have an opinion about the proposed changes afoot in North St. Louis.

I've participated in, heard, and seen (online) enough discussion to realize that if ever something could be considered the definition of "lightning rod" for our region, it is this proposed development. No conversation on this matter, it seems, is complete until it has devolved into a series of cliches rehashing much of the bitterness, divisiveness, and acrimony that have marred our region's (and so many others, to be fair) cultural landscape for as long as anyone can remember.

This is good.

Not the name-calling and related bluster, but the fact that many of us are actually engaging with folks we normally wouldn't. Sure, a lot of it is online and anonymous, but a lot isn't. Many different individuals, City and County, Big Developer and grassroots rehabber, Northsider and Southsider and yes, Black and White are sitting down at the same proverbial table to discuss this. Isn't that one of the things that's supposed to make a city great?

You've heard it all before: St. Louis is full of walls. Walls between neighborhoods, wards, municipalities, high schools, races, the list goes on and on. But right now, while the discussion is undoubtedly ugly... at least it's happening. And maybe it's catharsis...

Because while I'm not sure the North Side project will succeed, I am positive it will fail unless we continue the dialogue, and continue working to ensure that all of us have a role in the regeneration.

Coming Soon: Actual EcoUrban news!

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:

Ameren Joins the Party

Well, better late than never.

Yesterday, Ameren UE announced that it was going to offer incentives to Green Developers. While obviously benefiting commercial developers more than folks like us, it is definitely a step in the right direction.

This comes on the heels of an announcement earlier this month regarding several residential energy efficiency programs to help customers manage their energy usage.

Glad these guys are finally getting on board (I'm sure national politics has nothing to do with it). I just hope some of the other folks that got there first left them some cheese and crackers.

Next up: Ameren plans to redevelop their "website" into something that doesn't look like it was created by the Venezuelan ministry of information!

We'll keep you posted...

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.

Old North House Tour

If you're in St. Louis, be sure to check out the Old North House Tour this Saturday May 9th. The fun kicks off at 10am and continues until 4pm.

For those of you who have been living under a rock for the past few years, Old North is an amazing example of how purposeful collaboration can revitalize and reinvigorate our historical neighborhoods.

Come and see how just how much progress has been made at and around Crown Square!

Click here for more info.

Affordable LEED Platinum

As sad as it may be to see the first home I ever built be sold...I've decided that 3140 Pennsylvania's days as a display home of affordable green home building are winding down. So, for all you green building lovers and those willing to subject yourself to lower utility bills and ultra-healthy indoor air quality then for the BARGAIN price of $205,000 I will hand over the keys to the 10th LEED for Homes Platinum certified residence in the United States - right here in St. Louis!

YouTube Promo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaUTH9g_mUE

Online Photos

http://www.ecourbanhomes.com/featuredhomes.html

Call me for a tour anytime at 314.922.4357 and start saving energy before the cold months have time to send your gas bill through your roof. JS

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

Change

I've heard a lot of discussion about a tipping point with regard to how/when people will REALLY start to change their habits and embrace a total shift in the way we conduct our lives on a daily basis. The fact is, I don't think it is that simple. While I understand the desire to want to see the green movement as a revolution, in truth it is more of an evolution. Slow, deliberate change and improvement over time mark this movement towards a healthier more efficient lifestyle. We have been marching towards greener lifestyles for some time now.

That said, there will be moments of punctuated change -- a time where the process speeds up. Judging from Friday's headlines, I think we are about to enter one of those periods.

Gas Prices Rattle Americans

World Begins to Smart from Oil's Too Rapid Rise

Let the Urban Migration begin...

Greenest Day of the Year

Green means many different things to many different people. On Earth Day, it's all about the environment. We were lucky enough to have the opportunity to celebrate Earth Day in Forest Park this weekend, as EcoUrban set up a table to inform/educate about our approach to green building. It was a great way to spend a sunny spring day in the park.

Talking to all kinds of folks to this end was great. More and more, I am blown away by the amount of information the average St. Louis citizen has when it comes to sustainable building. The change in the kind of questions we get the last six months has been staggering -- this town is very savvy when it comes to green and it's only getting better. Green is here to stay and I'm proud to be a part of it.

This week is a great time to think of little things you can do to green up your house and neighborhood. Every bit helps, even if it's something as simple as declining that plastic bag or reminding your local deli about recycling.

The Longest Winter

While St. Louis struggled through what seemed to be the longest winter in recorded history, EcoUrban took some time to put the finishing touches on our Magnolia Townhomes. As you can see, they feature a historic exterior and warm, inviting interior finishes.

Our parent company, Brady Capital, just sold an excellent rehab next door, and 4 new homes are slated to be built just two houses down the street from our townhomes. Things are really looking up for the Tower Grove East Neighborhood thanks in no small part to the work of Alderwoman Kacie Starr Tripplett who really helped our cause by replacing sidewalks around our townhomes.

These are available now so be sure to drop us a line if you want to live green on a great corner just a few minutes walk from South Grand.

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

The Lazy Environmentalist Rules

Just the other day , I was fortunate enough to be interviewed by Josh Dorfman, AKA the Lazy Environmentalist . Josh is a great guy who is fostering a pragmatic and insightful approach to green living based on the notion that in order for green to become mainstream, it has to be something regular folks can get on board with.

The Lazy Environmentalist
"No guilt-trips. Never any sacrifice. Josh introduces listeners to cutting-edge, eco-friendly products and services and features interviews with the designers, entrepreneurs and visionaries who are demonstrating how many of today's best choices are green choices."

You can check out the interview in mp3 format here:

Part I - 11 minutes

Part II - 11 minutes

Enjoy and be sure to check out Josh's show everyday on Sirius-

Jay

Greenbuild 2007 -- An Aside

Hey all:

We were fortunate enough to attend Greenbuild 2007, the world's largest green building convention. After making the trip up to Chicago, we quickly made friends with some like-minded green folks and were treated to some excellent hospitality, Portland style, at the PDX Lounge.

The exhibit hall was quite a scene and we learned a lot while making great connections. The glut of new green technology was nothing short of amazing, and it was wild to see over 20,000 strong supporting the cause at the McCormick Center.

We received a lot of positive feedback for getting the first LEED Platinum home in the Midwest, and really enjoyed talking to people from around the world who are bringing green building to the forefront.

Standing in the middle of that ocean of people, one could really get the sense that the "green revolution" was reaching the mainstream. Got to keep spreading the word...

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.

Platinum, Baby!

More big news, folks.

Just heard from the USGBC: 3140 Pennsylvania is LEED for Homes Certified Platinum! Just the 10th Platinum residence in the country, and the FIRST home of any level in Missurah.

Man I wish I had time to celebrate...

EcoWeekend

It's going to be a busy weekend.

The next two EcoUrban units will be arriving at 3103 and 3105 Magnolia on Friday, and all are welcome to come and see the process -- it's really cool watching the houses get hoisted into place. The cranes should begin rolling around 8:00am and wrap up sometime around noon. Bring a sack lunch (or breakfast) and check it out.

In addition, the display at 3140 Pennsylvania is going to be "on tour" at the 6th annual EarthWays Green Homes House Tour:




And the good folks of Benton Park West are also presenting a house tour that will include our display home. The tour will embark from the Five Star Senior Center at 2832 Arsenal from 1pm to 4pm this Sunday September 30th.

So come on down folks and enjoy some EcoUrban good times.