The developers of Soleil Laurel Canyon decided to start offering EarthCraft certified homes because more and more buyers were selecting upgraded insulation and other features to reduce energy costs.

Homes at Soleil range from 1,500 to almost 3,000 square feet and are priced between $200,000 and the high $400,000s. Yard maintenance, a 24-hour staffed security gatehouse, and home security monitoring are included in the association fees. This environment, which also includes a clubhouse with heated indoor saline pool, billiards parlor, gourmet teaching kitchen, fitness center and aerobics studio, library, two card rooms and an arts and crafts studio, is why Soleil is truly one of Atlanta’s best active adult communities.

EarthCraft certified homes provide a number of benefits, including lower utility costs, enhanced indoor air quality, increased comfort and reduced home maintenance. On average, EarthCraft certified homes sell for a higher price than the average home  at the same list price and sell more quickly than conventionally built homes. EarthCraft was established in 1999 by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and Southface. For more information on EarthCraft, visit www.EarthCraft.org.

Where to Retire Magazine even rated Soleil Laurel Canyon as one of the country’s top 50 master planned communities for active adults.  A performing arts center, outdoor amphitheatre, outdoor lagoon-style pool, six clay tennis courts, full-time tennis pro, walking trails, a greenhouse and neighboring golf course round out the long list of amenities. For more information on Soleil Laurel Canyon, visit www.SoleilLaurelCanyon.com or call 678-880-3071.

Recently, the Atlanta Kitchen arm of Construction Resources provided vanity tops for eight apartment units at Phoenix Pass, another project that was a collaboration with HomeAid Atlanta. Phoenix Pass is a single-family apartment community in Rockdale County that will provide help for temporarily homeless women and children. The apartments are cozy, with a kitchen, living room, two bedrooms and one bathroom. Residents can stay up to two years, and will receive help with budgeting, job training and guidance in family care and management.

This apartment building is EarthCraft certified, meaning it meets stringent environmental and energy standards. Another apartment building is planned, which will also be EarthCraft certified.

This transitional housing is the perfect marriage of environmental and social responsibility, and will be a great asset to the Rockdale County area. Construction Resources is proud to be a part of this project.

Developed by the GAHBA through a partnership with Southface Energy Institute, government and industry leaders, EarthCraft is a voluntary green building program that serves as a blueprint for healthy, comfortable homes that reduce utility bills and protect the environment.  Since EarthCraft’s inception in 1999, more than 450 builders have become builder members and more than 7,150 homes in the Southeast region have been certified to EarthCraft standards.

President of Wickstead Works, Frank Wickstead said, “We have remained very active despite the economy and we attribute that success in part to our partnership with the EarthCraft program.”

Each EarthCraft home follows a systems approach to home building that stresses an understanding of how the different components of a home work together.  This approach results in a home that performs better, is more economical for the homeowner and is still comparable in price to a home built with standard construction practices.

Congratulations to  WicksteadWorks on winning the Renovator of the Year Award!

Lots of people have visited the home to find ways to live greener lives. Last weekend was packed. Be sure to come out this weekend and meet the Designers and hear about their Eco-Friendly home design services. Be sure to look for Richard Feis, the Builder while you are on-site and ask about Sustainable Home Design and Building.

Show Home Hours:

Thursday: 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1:30 – 5 p.m.

• New LED lighting and fixtures
• Soybean spray insulation
• Touch panel energy monitoring system
• River reclaimed pine floors
• Solar tubes
• Greywater System
• Non-PVC and Vinyl-free recycled decking
• Eco-friendly modern “open” fireplace
• Tankless water heaters
• Green Technology Room

The home is open to the public with free admission Thursday – Sunday.  For more information and directions visit: www.greenhavenhome.com

About Greenhaven
Pace Homebuilders presents Greenhaven, Atlanta’s newest model for green building and sustainable design. Greenhaven will carry the US Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and showcase the latest in green building techniques, sustainable interior design, state-of-the-art-technology, and energy efficiency, teaching that eco-living is attainable even in the suburbs. Open to the public, July 18 – August 9, 2009, Greenhaven will host a series of eco-educational seminars, trunk shows and book signings.  For more information, visit: www.greenhavenhome.com

During the construction of this EarthCraft home, numerous vendors donated their time and resources to the project. Brock Built partnered with WSB-TV Channel 2, which documented the construction of the Green House during its “Going Green 2008″ campaign.

The award, given by Southface and The Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, distinguishes an EarthCraft House renovator that has gone above and beyond to reduce energy use in an existing home. The annual awards program honors the leading builders, developers, renovators and manufacturers dedicated to protecting the environment through sustainable design and construction of homes, communities and products.

WicksteadWorks is an Atlanta remodeler that builds to a minimum standard of EarthCraft certification on all projects.

The EarthCraft House program is a voluntary, green building third-party validation program that serves as a blueprint for healthy comfortable homes that reduce utility bills and protect the environment.  Since the program’s inception in 1999, more 450 builders have become builder members, and more than 7,150 homes in the Southeast region have been certified to EarthCraft House standards.

Wonder what the difference is between an EarthCraft house and a regular house? Well, Monte Hewett Homes has posted a video to YouTube that demonstrates how peaceful and quiet a EarthCraft home is. Just because you decide to help the environment a little and choose EarthCraft blown cellulose for the insulation does not meet that you sacrifice quality, and this video proves it. So, take a look at the video, and if you like what you see, bear in mind that Monte Hewett Homes builds every one to meet or exceed EarthCraft standards. With locations throughout metro Atlanta, you are sure to find a Monte Hewett Home that satisfies all of your needs. What are you waiting for, find your luxury, green built home today!

Hewett Custom Builders gives homebuyers the opportunity to make the decisions. House plans can be modified from existing Monte Hewett Homes plans, clients can provide their own plans, or they can work with Monte Hewett’s network of architect and engineer partners. Delp will work alongside homebuyers to make sure that the decisions made are best for their personal lifestyle as well as the environment. All Hewett custom homes are certified to meet or exceed EarthCraft and Energy Star standards. For more information on Delp and Hewett Custom Builders, visit www.hewettcustombuilders.com.

As with any home built by Monte Hewett, the custom homes are certified to meet or exceed EarthCraft and Energy Star Standards. Custom homes will range in price from the $400s to over $1 million and can be built throughout the metro-Atlanta area. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to own a Monte Hewett custom home in the location of your choice.