Case
Study: Casa Verde Builders
Key design elements:
Location: Austin,
Texas
Developer: Casa
Verde Builders with Austin Habitat for Humanity and American Institute for
Learning
Cost: $71,500
sale price
Size: 1,200
square feet
Project Year: 1993
Features:
Casa Verde Builders has been constructing
affordable, green homes in the Austin area since 1993. Their program
trains youth in construction skills. Homes use alternative wall materials
such as Faswall block, structural insulated panels, and straw-core panels
for interior walls.
The home highlighted here included siting
for cross-ventilation, ceiling fans, and a shady covered porch to help
keep the home cool. An efficient 14 SEER central air conditioner was also
installed. Durable fiber-cement siding and metal roofing were installed to
provide residents with less future maintenance, and xeriscaping helped cut
water use for landscaping.
Recycled materials used included carpet,
paint and cellulose insulation. To preserve indoor air quality the
builders used low-VOC paints and adhesives and formaldehyde-free MDF
cabinetry.
More Information:
Austin
Green Building case study
Casa
Verde Green Construction
Pattern reference: 3,
6, 9,
13, 14, 15
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