Industry Spotlight
WaterLights Features Eco-Friendly Development
The WaterLights District, located in Pearland, Texas, is a $700 million, 1.9 million square-foot planned mixed-use lifestyle center with advanced sustainability measures incorporated into all aspects of the planning and design. WaterLights is strategically positioned by the thriving Texas Medical Center and will feature condos, brownstones, luxury apartments, office buildings, retail boutiques, a fresh market, restaurants, wine bars, three luxury hotels, a conference facility, a water wall and public park along a Grand Canal waterway.
Sustainability is a key priority in the creation of this new community. WaterLights represents an enormous leap forward in eco-friendly master planning-one that will generate most of its own energy and utilize new technologies. Furthermore, the advanced site planning underway will supply the greatest opportunity for sustainable buildings to be established.
"Our goal is to produce a community that raises the bar from a technological standpoint; a community that is self sufficient as it pertains to the use of energy and its ability to create clean energy and a healthy environment," says David Goswick, executive director of Historic Real Estate Inc., the developer of WaterLights.
One eco-friendly measure is the creation of ecological zones with man-made wetlands at the water's edge and at strategic points along the network of the canals. The wetlands will create a preserve for native flora and provide an added feature for the public to enjoy. Another feature is the storm water retention system. This system will retain rain water on vertical structures and be utilized as a source of hydro-power to run the fountains in an energy efficient manner.
HUD Releases New Builder Study
A new study released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shows builders how to improve the durability and energy efficiency of their homes by combining structural insulated panel (SIP) roof systems and concrete wall systems. The connection details provided in the study give builders a reliable and consistent method for connecting the two systems in one- and two-family dwellings.
"Through the specifications provided by this research, builders will be able to reduce costs while more easily building high-quality energy efficiency homes," says Donn Thompson, Portland Concrete Association's residential technology manager. "This truly collaborative effort brought together all the different concrete building system manufacturers with the SIP manufacturers to ensure all the practical solutions of the new technologies are addressed."
In most cases, the new prescriptive guidelines will reduce the need for additional engineering during the design phase for projects using the two systems. This can often translate to lower costs for both builders and owners.
Woodforest Welcomes First Buyers
Progress in Woodforest, a new master planned community by The Johnson Development Corp. in Montgomery County, Texas, continues on schedule with the first official buyers signed on, and the Welcome Lodge slated to open in early 2009.
"We are a few weeks from delivering 240 homesites to our production and custom builders, and the first rooftops, including production models, should be visible before the end of the year," says Virgil Yoakum, general manager of the community. "In addition, we have experienced early success with our custom sales program with our first homesite already sold."
Ryan Paul, a construction manager with Jeff Paul Custom Homes, has purchased a homesite in Elk Reserve, a custom neighborhood of 24 homesites staged around two lakes.
Jeff Paul Custom Homes, as well as George Weaver Custom Homes, J.M. Wendell Custom Homes, Meadowlark Custom Homes, T.D. Cox Homes, Tommy Bailey Homes and Legendary Custom Homes will launch the first phase of Woodforest's custom-home program and begin construction this fall on the seven showcase homes to be featured during Woodforest's October 2009 grand opening.
With custom home sales officially under way, Chad McClung has been hired as custom sales manager to handle already significant interest in Woodforest's two custom neighborhoods-Elk Trace and Elk Reserve-where homes will be priced from $750,000 to over $1 million.
Homebuilders Donate to Hurricane Ike Victims
Hurricane Ike caused massive property destruction along the coasts of Texas and Louisiana. Residents were left homeless, and millions were without electricity for weeks. NAHB responded immediately, assisting local homebuilders associations and FEMA with disaster relief efforts.
Now that the recovery efforts have turned to rebuilding, NAHB members who have expressed interest in donating products or building materials are being encouraged to make donations through Gifts In Kind International. Gifts In Kind is a charity that serves housing and community rebuilding nonprofits by distributing home improvement and building supplies.
Building Supplies Needed:
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Neutral tile flooring (12 by 12)
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Beaded paneling, moulding, wainscoting, baseboard, door and window trim
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Finishing nails and nail guns
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Primer, paint (neutrals), rollers, sprayers and trays
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Carpet (commercial grade)
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Caulk guns and paintable (indoor/outdoor) caulk
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Lumber
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Sheetrock
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Electrical wiring and fixtures
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Plumbing
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Appliances
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Bathroom fixtures
Home Depot, LISC Help Recovering Houston Area
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is collaborating with The Home Depot Foundation to deliver immediate financial aid and technical assistance to low- and moderate-income communities hit hard by Hurricane Ike. The Home Depot Foundation has long been a LISC partner, having previously provided $2.8 million in grants to support LISC's green development activities.
Specifically, The Home Depot Foundation is directing $700,000 to LISC's local program in Houston, which is currently assessing the damage, coordinating with community-based organizations, consulting with local officials and identifying ways to speed recovery, particularly as it relates to housing. In all, The Home Depot Foundation has committed $1 million to disaster recovery and rebuilding in the area.
"The destruction of homes and the needs of people displaced by Hurricane Ike are real and acute," says Michael Rubinger, LISC president and CEO. "We are grateful to The Home Depot Foundation for its generous grant to LISC to help with disaster recovery and restoration in Houston and along the Gulf Coast of Texas."
