News
Homebuilder Confidence in U.S. Rises to a Seven-Year High
Read article from Bloomberg News online By Jeanna Smialek June 17, 2013 10:15 AM EDT Builders started work on 780,000 homes last year, a 28 percent increase from 2011 and the most in four years. Confidence among U.S. homebuilders surged in June to the highest level in seven years, reflecting gains in sales as Americans rushed to take advantage of low mortgage rates. The National Association of… Read More
Next EarthCraft Builder Training Scheduled for September 10th
EarthCraft Virginia will host an EarthCraft Builder Training on Tuesday, September 10th, 2013 at the Virginia Housing Center in Glen Allen, VA. Click here to register. (This training is designed for both single family builders and multifamily developers – however, anyone is welcome to attend)
EarthCraft Builders Get Recognition from Senator Mark Warner
Senator Mark Warner showed his support for EarthCraft Virginia and green building by writing personal letters to all of the award winners from this year’s Sustainable Leadership Awards. High performance builder and EarthCraft Board Member, Mark Waring of Bain-Waring Builders, shares with us his letter.
10,000 Dwelling Units Certified in Virginia through the EarthCraft Multifamily Program
June 4, 2013 News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Stuart Raper, Director of External Affairs EarthCraft Virginia 804-212-1943 Stuart.raper@earthcraftvirginia.org 10,000 Dwelling Units Certified in Virginia through the EarthCraft Multifamily Program EarthCraft Virginia Reaches Milestone in Providing Residents with Energy Efficient, Affordable Homes Richmond, VA – June 4, 2013 – More than 10,000 multifamily dwelling units representing 147 projects across the state of Virginia have… Read More
Cost vs. Savings in Green Buildings
Sandra Leibowitz, EarthCraft Board Member and Managing Principal of Sustainable Design LLC, talks about cost and savings in green buildings. Click here for this short video.
Housing 2020 – “Green Housing”
In this video, EarthCraft Board Member Sandra Leibowitz of Sustainable Design Consulting discusses how recent green/sustainability initiatives are impacting the housing market.
Homebuilder Confidence in U.S. Climbs on Improving Outlook
By Lorraine Woellert on May 15, 2013 http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-05-15/homebuilder-confidence-in-u-dot-s-dot-climbs-on-improving-outlook-1 – Confidence (USHMIDX) among U.S. homebuilders improved in May for the first time in five months as buyers rush to take advantage of near record-low mortgage rates. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo index of builder confidence rose to 44 from a revised 41 in April, the Washington-based group reported today. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey called for… Read More
Thousands enjoy Earth Day festivals
BY HOLLY PRESTIDGE Richmond Times-Dispatch | Posted: Sunday, April 21, 2013 12:00 am Julian and Alex Moya eagerly grabbed handfuls of dirt and began filling their hand-painted plant boxes. When asked what sorts of plants they’d like to grow in them, Julian, 5, asked for a tomato plant, while his brother, 6, chose a pepper plant. The dirt and plants were courtesy of Backyard Farmers,… Read More
EarthCraft COMMERCIAL for Earth Day
This Saturday, April 20th 2013, EarthCraft Virginia will be at Earth Day in Richmond, Virginia. Check out our featured commercial for more information. Come by our booth to find out about everything we have going on and to enter in our raffle. It’s a great prize; you won’t want to pass it up!
Coffee with KC McGurren
Listen to this two-part interview with EarthCraft Virginia’s Executive Director, KC McGurren, from VHDA’s blog. Part 1 Part 2
Crozet Is Site of First Triple-Certified House in Virginia
Click here for link to article. Sylvia Hallock and Rosa Jimenez-Vazquez will soon move into their new home on Orchard Drive in Crozet, the first in Virginia to be certified by three programs that promote environmentally sustainable, universally accessible, and super-durable construction. They showed off their 2,200-square-foot home, built by Craig Builders, to the public March 16 with an open house. The house is based on a popular one-level… Read More
Net-zero energy apartments to open in Church Hill
Beckstoffer’s Mill in Church Hill might be the first net-zero apartment building in the city. BY CAROL HAZARD Richmond Times-Dispatch | Posted: Saturday, March 30, 2013 12:00 am The Better Housing Coalition is giving green building a new meaning. The housing group will open seven net-zero energy apartments Monday for low-income people 55 and older at Beckstoffer’s Mill on the 1200 block of North 28th Street in… Read More
EarthCraft Virginia Recognizes Virginia’s Premier Home Builders
For Immediate Release March 26, 2013 Contact: Stuart Raper, Director of External Affairs EarthCraft Virginia 804-212-1943 Stuart.raper@earthcraftvirginia.org EarthCraft Virginia Recognizes Virginia’s Premier Home Builders 4th Annual Sustainable Leadership Award Nominations Announced Richmond, VA – March 26, 2013 – EarthCraft Virginia is proud to announce the nominees for the 4th Annual EarthCraft Virginia Sustainable Leadership Awards, the organization’s yearly awards presentation to recognize Virginia leaders in the adoption of green,… Read More
4th Annual Sustainable Leadership Awards
The 4th Annual Sustainable Leadership Awards will be held this Thursday, March 28th, from 4-6:30PM on the 24th floor of the SunTrust Building in Richmond, VA. Come celebrate with us as we recognize the greatness in green-building from around the state. Click here for more information and to purchase your ticket.
New Study Finds that Owners of Energy Efficient Homes are Less Likely to Default on Mortgages
Having trouble viewing this post? Click here. There has always been an assumption by home energy performance advocated that an energy efficient home was a better mortgage investment because an energy efficient home had lower energy bills and was more comfortable to live in. However, there was no empirical data to back up this assumption until now. On March 19, 2013, the “Home Energy Efficiency and Mortgage… Read More
First-of-its Kind Triple Certified Home in Virginia
Craig Builders Home Certified by EarthCraft Virginia, EasyLiving Home, and Fortified Home News Release March 14, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Stuart Raper, Director of External Affairs EarthCraft Virginia Stuart.raper@earthcraftvirginia.org Charlottesville, VA – March 14, 2013 – Craig Builders, a locally owned and operated building company serving the Charlottesville, Virginia area, is pleased to open the doors to their recently built triple certified home. The first-of-its-kind home, which… Read More
EarthCraft featured in Realtors’ publication
Check out the last page in the current issue of The Housing Interpreter. The Housing Interpreter is a new quarterly, online publication of the Richmond Association of Realtors featuring trends in real estate and the Richmond area. The first edition, themed “The Green Issue,” features a recap of the Richmond Homebuilders’ 2013 economic forecast, a preview of what’s in store for Historic Garden Week’s 80th anniversary, and a look… Read More
An Oasis of Affordability
Nonprofit Greens and Preserves Older Property in Washington Suburb A 1970′s low-income housing apartment building gets an energy efficient face-lift. See how EarthCraft certification was used to make a better building.
EarthCraft Virginia Launches Third-Party Net-Zero Certification Program
February 13, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Stuart Raper, Director of External Affairs EarthCraftVirginia 804-212-1943 Stuart.raper@earthcraftvirginia.org News Release Program will be the First of its Kind to Offer Two-Part Certification for Net-Zero Building Performance Richmond, VA – February 13, 2013 – EarthCraft Virginia is pleased to announce the launch of its Net-Zero Certification program. The program will certify any residential building that produces at least as… Read More
Nomination Process Now Open for EarthCraft Virginia’s Sustainable Leadership Awards!
We are now taking nominations for the 4th Annual Sustainable Leadership Awards, taking place on Thursday, March 28th from 4-6:30PM on the 24th floor of the SunTrust Building in downtown Richmond. For more information on the nominations process and the event itself, please click here. Nominations due no later than 5:00 pm on Monday, March 4th 2013. We look forward to your nominations and hope to see you… Read More
Housing to Drive Economic Growth (finally!)
The bursting of the housing bubble plunged the economy into a recession from which it has yet to fully recover. But economists say this could finally be the year that housing lifts us out of the doldrums. Click here for full article.
EarthCraft Virginia Supports the RVA Environmental Film Festival!
What: On February 9th and 10th, 2013, several local organizations will partner to present the Third Annual RVA Environmental Film Festival at the Byrd Theatre in Carytown. The two-day event will showcase local and national films selected to raise awareness of environmental issues relevant to the Richmond region, our nation, and our planet. When: Saturday, February 9th and Sunday, February 10th, 2013 Where: Byrd Theater 2908 West Cary Street Richmond,… Read More
Radio Interview with KC McGurren
November 20, 2012 WRIR Inspire Indeed radio program EarthCraft Virginia’s executive director, KC McGurren, spoke with WRIR on EarthCraft Virginia – what we’ve done and where we’re going. Check out the links below to our YouTube Channel to listen! Part 1 Part 2
Meet Virginia’s Most Energy Efficient Multifamily Project
The Studios at South Richmond EarthCraft Virginia would like to congratulate Virginia Supportive Housing for recently certifying the Studios at South Richmond, a 21 studio apartment complex in Richmond, VA. Built by Community Housing Partners (CHP) general contracting division to meet and exceed the EarthCraft Virginia program requirements. The project’s Home Energy Rating (HERs) scored a 58 – 42% more energy efficient than a code built project. The Studios… Read More
Our Impact – 2011 wrap up!
2011 was a big year for EarthCraft as we certified over 1,000 projects (single family and multifamily) in Virginia. Much thanks goes out to our builders, developers, and all other involved professionals for your work and dedication to green building. Certified 1,600 total Single Family Homes to date Certified 6,232 total Multifamily units date Saved 8,136.9 tons of CO2/year To date, EarthCraft certified projects have saved the… Read More
3rd Annual Awards Ceremony Accepting Nominations
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS! We are now accepting nominations for our 3rd Annual Awards Ceremony. Nominate an exceptional project or person today! The Sustainable Leadership Awards is EarthCraft Virginia’s signature event to recognize the region’s premiere developers, builders,architects, government officials and other industry professionals drawing over 150 individuals. Want to attend? We’d love to have you! Click here to register.
Eagle Construction wins “Best Design Center”
Congratulations to Eagle Construction. Eagle has also won EarthCraft Awards two years in a row!! Thanks for your contribution to the home building industry. On Wednesday night at the international building show NAHB National Sales & Marketing Council in Orlando, FL, Eagle Construction won top honors. With competition from all over the United States and Canada, Eagle brought home the gold for the “Best Design Center” in North America. If… Read More
Construction Spending in U.S. Climbs Most in Four Months in Stability Sign
Construction spending in the U.S. rose in December at the fastest pace in four months, reflecting broad- based gains that signal the industry is stabilizing. Building outlays increased 1.5 percent, the biggest gain since August, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. The median estimate of 51 economists in a Bloomberg survey called for a 0.5 percent rise. Click here to read article
How Green is Richmond
Once, there was a city that looked very green. Through it ran a great river where kayakers gamboled and herons soared. Farmers’ markets overflowed with local tomatoes and grass-fed beef. The city proudly pointed to its solar-powered trash cans and its natural-gas-powered trash trucks and its future fleet of electric cars. Coffee shops served organic-milk lattes in compostable cups. Read More
Leading the Way to Green
Nine years ago the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA), Virginia’s housing finance agency, became concerned about the construction quality, attractiveness, and durability of the state’s tax credit developments. Click here to download article
Lynchburg High apartments unveils renovations
This year, Lynchburg High has been undergoing an extensive renovation, its first since the 1970s. Click here to download article
New addendum could help appraisers give credit for green features
The three-page Appraisal Institute form should guarantee at the minimum that an appraiser will take notice of a home’s energy improvements and seek to come up with a value adjustment for local market conditions. Read More
Atlanta Partnership Makes Green Homes Affordable
The biggest hurdle in owning or renting a “green” home has been having enough green to afford it. A new partnership between The Home Depot Foundation, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc., the City of Atlanta and Southface is hoping to get more low-income homebuyers into hundreds of EarthCraft-certified homes, which carry the “green” designation. The partners’ Green Home Advantage program Tuesday showcased an energy efficient three-bedroom model home at… Read More
Green homes are not just about LEED
The LEED rating system of the U.S. Green Building Council receives a lot of attention and discussion and is currently the dominant player in commercial green building construction. Read More
Run-down complex transformed into eco-friendly housing
Postal workers refused to deliver mail in the Lincoln Manor apartment complex off North Avenue in North Richmond. Residents couldn’t get a pizza delivered. That was before the rundown complex became a project in 2008 of the Better Housing Coalition, a nonprofit focused on changing lives and transforming communities through high quality, affordable housing. Read More
Green Agent Happy Hour
Come enjoy wine & cheese and learn about two of Richmond’s premier LEED Platinum/EarthCraft certified homes! April 7, 2011, 4-6:00pm The Augusta House, 4600 Augusta Avenue The Solar Idea House, 9214 Hungary Spring Road Read More
Green Valley Builders of Blacksburg wins “green” award from EarthCraft Virginia
Green Valley Builders of Blacksburg received the Single Family Builder of the Year award at the second annual EarthCraft Virginia awards March 24. The company was among more than 280 EarthCraft builders and developers recognized at the reception. EarthCraft Virginia provides a certification process for single family and multifamily green housing projects. Read More
Who Took Home the Gold?
Virginia’s Premier Green Building Professionals Awards. The 2nd Annual EarthCraft Awards was held on March 24th at the Willow Oaks Country Club in Richmond, Virginia. Read More
Warm Modern Montrose House in Virginia
Montrose House ended up with a 56 HERS – meaning it’s 44% more efficient that the baseline standard code home – and both EarthCraft and Energy Star certifications, according to Joey Conover, co-owner of Latitude 38. Read More
Shelter Alternatives builds EarthCraft Platinum home
Shelter Alternatives of Blacksburg has reached EarthCraft Virginia green building standards on two new houses. Here is a press release from the company: Local design/build team Shelter Alternatives has received recognition from Earthcraft Virginia for certification of two recently completed homes in the area, one achieving the highest Earthcraft Platinum level of performance. EarthCraft Virginia is a regional green building certification program endorsed by the Home Builders Association… Read More
VBCDC Completes Beach Park West
In May 2010, VBCDC completed the construction of Beach Park West, Vice Mayor Louis Jones, city leaders, Community Service Board leaders, housing partners, and other supporters joined VBCDC’s board and staff in celebrating the grand opening. Read More
Dewey: 20 Years of Building Communities for Virginia LISC
The Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) board of commissioners recently passed a 20-year resolution in recognition of Virginia Local Initiative Support Corporation’s (Virginia LISC) accomplishments in revitalizing neighborhoods since it was established in 1990. Read More
At Summer’s End, an Amazing EarthCraft Story
We’ve just finished the hottest summer since 1895 for the Charlottesville area – with 69 days of temperatures at 90o or higher. For most homeowners, cooling bills have probably set similar records. Read More
Couple build zero-energy home in Chesterfield County
A zero-energy home is one that produces as much energy as its uses, therefore canceling out monthly heating and cooling bills. The running joke around Randy Thomas and Diane Lewis’ old Hanover County neighborhood was that the couple must have been from Vermont or Minnesota — anywhere cold. Read More
Local builders share 10 tips for constructing a green home
Today’s educated consumers are aware of the impact of their decisions on future lifestyle. For those exploring myriad options in building a new home, local “green” builders share strategies that can improve quality of life for homeowners while conserving our planet’s valuable resources. A tour by EarthCraft-certified builders Guy Sorensen, a partner at Meadow Green Builders Inc., and David Luke, president of Luke Construction LLC, of a Virginia… Read More
Virginia’s EarthCraft House Training Seminar
Last Thursday, August 29th was an all day EarthCraft Home training event for single family builders hosted by Arlington County Parks and Operations in their general very functional conference facility near Shirlington. Although the class was geared towards builders who were looking to green their building practices by learning from the professionals at EarthCraft Virginia, in attendance you could find award winning architects, insulation experts, home energy auditors, Arlington… Read More
Live Green
Did you know going green in building construction is the most readily accessible means of reducing our energy consumption? Read More
Southface Journal – Affordable Housing Takes on a New Look
Five years ago, environmental visionaries Karl Bren and Chuk Bowles first conceived of bringing a green building program to Virginia. Read More
Green homes sensibly built for the environment
With everything green these days, it’s important to recognize green construction is the most readily accessible means of reducing energy consumption. Read More
Passive House: the next frontier
For several years, the terms “green building” and “LEED” have been all but synonymous. Considered the gold standard (or, in some cases, platinum) for sustainable design, the LEED program has made inroads nationally, with lots of local buildings now LEED-certified. Many others are recognized under EarthCraft, EnergyStar, and other programs. Read More
Franklin Heights Renovation Completed
You’ve probably noticed it driving down Reservoir Street over the past two years; the row of houses quarantined behind a line of chain link fence. The neighborhood, known as Franklin Heights, is subsidized housing in the midst of revitalization. Read More
VB homes open for people with mental disabilities
The city’s opening of Beach Park West, a supportive housing facility for people with mental disabilities, is just in time. Read More
Going for Zero
Locals try to build Virginia’s most energy efficient home Some people embrace sustainable living by making small changes like switching to energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs. Others, like Diane Lewis and Randy Thomas, are a bit more ambitious. The couple is attempting to build a zero-energy home – a feat that has yet to be achieved in Virginia – in Chesterfield’s Stone Harbor neighborhood. Read More
Howerin to build 14 NRHA townhomes near ODU
Norfolk’s housing authority is adding townhomes to an older neighborhood between Ghent and Old Dominion University. Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority selected Howerin Construction of Norfolk to build 14 EarthCraft townhomes along the south side of 26th Street at Hampton Boulevard. EarthCraft is a certification process for single-family and multifamily projects, according to its Web site. It serves as a home-construction blueprint that reduces utility bills and… Read More