Archive for August, 2009
New Projects Promise To Change W. Sixth St.
Thursday, August 13th, 2009
Sit at Opal Divine’s patio on a Saturday night on West Sixth Street, and it won’t take long to realize that the people watching is almost as tempting as the brews.
Every weekend, women in trendy dresses and men in button-down shirts descend on the area heading to the dozen or so bars, lounges and restaurants that are shoe-horned between Lavaca and West streets.
The area has evolved into an upscale entertainment district with a personality that attracts an upwardly mobile crowd in their 20s, 30s and 40s.
Now, hoping to further capitalize on the area’s white-hot popularity, some entrepreneurs are separately investing in a handful of new projects. . . Click Here For More
Austin Business Journal – by Sandra Zaragoza ABJ Staff
Tags: west 6th development, West Sixth St.
Posted in Development, In The News | No Comments »
25% Of New Homes In Austin Are “Green”
Friday, August 7th, 2009
Home building in Austin is greener than ever.
Long known for its save-the-planet ways, the city continues to be a national leader in producing eco-friendly homes, says Richard Morgan, Austin Energy’s green building manager.
More than 20 percent of homes built in the Austin Energy service area now are being rated green by the city program, Morgan says. The city always ranks among the top 10 in the country in green production – and by some reckonings, the city ranks No. 1, Morgan says.
“Over the last few years, we’ve been rating anywhere from 18 to 23 percent of homes ? more than 1,000 homes each year,” Morgan says. “It was probably about 24 percent last year.
“Even with the downturn, we’re still rating a lot of homes.”
Worth noting is the number of green-certified homes built in Austin by production builders, Morgan says.
“One of the interesting things that’s happening in Austin is, early on back in the 1990s, everybody assumed green building would be for high-end custom homes, but now probably about 90 percent of what we rate are built by production builders. In most places, it’s the custom builders doing green, but here, the production builders have really adopted green. And that is something that’s unique to Austin.” Click Here For More. . .
SPECIAL TO THE AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Tags: Green, New Homes
Posted in Development, In The News, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Elements Of A Sustainable Living Space
Friday, August 7th, 2009
The majority of homes in Austin are currently not certified green or sustainable, however the demand for these features is increasing at a blistering pace. Given the finite supply of land in the center of our community, most of the core urban market will have to identify potential in non certified or non rated structures of all decades and design. Home Buyers will look for hidden value and Sellers will look to unlock value by adding sustainable elements to aged structures. Remember, refurbishment might be the most sustainable choice we can make.
Location
Overall “walkability” is key which includes close access to parks, schools and stores. Access to a variety of transportation other than your car is also healthier for you, your wallet, and the environment.
Size
Choose a size that optimally suits you and your loved ones lifestyle needs. Larger homes require more heating, cooling and lighting.
Design
These homes are generally oriented on the site to bring natural daylight and ideally take advantage of any prevailing breezes. The exterior has shading devices particularly on the southern and western facades and over windows and doors.
Materials
Materials and finishings are healthy or non-toxic like low or zero-VOC paints and sealants. Wood-based features come from rapidly renewable sources such as bamboo (note: weigh the renewable aspects of the material with less renewable options that might also be local). Many of these homes use significant reclaimed and recycled materials. The roof should be a light-colored, heat-reflecting, or a landscaped roof, to reduce heat absorption. A non-toxic insulation, derived from materials like soybean or cotton, with a high R (heat resistance) factor in a home’s walls and roof will help prevent cool air leakage in the summer and warm air leakage in the winter.
Energy Efficiency
Windows and exterior doors should have ENERGY STAR® ratings, and they should seal their openings tightly to avoid heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter. Select energy-efficient lighting, heating, cooling and water-heating systems. Appliances should have ENERGY STAR® ratings.
Renewable Energy
Technologies like photovoltaic systems (Solar Panels) can be used to generate energy.
Water Efficiency
Incorporate water-conserving irrigation systems and water-efficient kitchen and bathroom fixtures.
Indoor Air Quality
Natural daylight should reach the majority of the home’s interior. Natural ventilation brings fresh air inside the house. The HVAC system should filter all incoming air and vent stale air outside. The garage should not have any air handling equipment or return ducts, and it should have an exhaust fan.
Landscaping
Large canopy trees and other landscaping should shade exterior walls, the driveway and patios to minimize heat islands. Yards should be landscaped with native drought-tolerant plants rather than water-guzzling plants and grass.
Tags: Sustainable Living
Posted in Agent Editorial, Buyer & Seller Tips, Lifestyle, Sustainable Living, Uncategorized | No Comments »