A developer is taking "green" design to another level with a
new community that may be one of the most eco-friendly residential
developments in the nation.
 | | Windermere on the Lake |
Windermere on the Lake, which is
under construction in North Stamford, Connecticut, utilizes the latest
"green" technologies and environmentally sensitive habitat management
plans to create a residential enclave in harmony with the natural
surroundings.
"We're developing one of the most comprehensive eco-friendly
residential communities in the United States," said Mark Hallett
Robbins, President of Windermere on the Lake. "There is a great deal of
talk nationally about incorporating various 'green' elements into
residential construction, but few if any builders have gone to the
lengths we have at Windermere."
Robbins said that the environmental commitment at Windermere
extends virtually every aspect of the homes being built and reaches
across the entire property.
"Over time, many of the features we are incorporating will
become standard in the industry both in terms of construction and site
management. We believe that what we are creating at Windermere on the
Lake will serve as a prototype for environmentally sustainable
residential development," said Robbins.
Windermere on the Lake's 24 distinctive homes are designed in
the style of the 19th Century English Art and Crafts movement. They
feature private custom country gardens created by renowned English
landscape architect Simon Johnson. The homes are priced from $3.2
million.
The home designs incorporate a wide range of eco-friendly and
energy-saving features including
- geothermal heating and cooling systems
- paints and carpeting with extremely low VOC levels
(volatile organic compounds)
- solar-powered street lighting
- high performance windows and insulation
- heat recovery ventilation systems
- extensive use of sustainable building materials
- sediment filtration system whereby stormwater leaves the
site cleaner than when it entered
Robbins said there is an emerging market for green technology
homes that is being fueled by rising energy costs and a growing concern
about global warming. "Green is becoming the new amenity of choice in
luxury housing. Today's socially conscious, upscale homebuyers are more
concerned about the size of their carbon footprint than the size of
their master bath," he said. "At Windermere on the Lake, we're creating
a world-class green development that is unrivaled in its classic
architectural design, luxury finishes, fine craftsmanship and long-term
environmental stewardship."
Windermere on the Lake is the first residential development in
Connecticut to seek the prestigious LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) certification, a rating system developed by the
United States Green Building Council that serves as the benchmark for
high performance green buildings. In addition, the Energy Star
qualified homes at Windermere on the Lake meet efficiency guidelines
set by the Federal EPA.
The entire 74-acre wooded site is being developed using an
ecological approach seldom seen in today's typical subdivision.
Extensive and ongoing Habitat Management and Restoration
Protection Plans have been developed to ensure lifelong preservation of
the property. Some 25 acres of the property have been donated to a
local land conservation trust and an additional 25 acres is retained as
permanent open space.
Windermere on the Lake is the inaugural residential community
of NRDC Residential, a newly formed division of National Realty
& Development Corp., one of the leading real estate development
and management firms in the Northeast. NRDC Residential focuses on
developing environmentally sustainable planned communities.
Posted 2nd April 2008
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