Click here to view a sample plan for The Preserve at Oregon Road
New homes in Ashland illustrate the growing demand for energy efficient homes, as well as the improvement of "green" building products and materials.
For example, The Preserve at Oregon Road, a development located near the Ashland town forest, provides a unique opportunity for those interested in sustainable living. New homes at The Preserve are built for "net zero" living.
"Net zero" homes produce as much energy as they consume. Houses at the Preserve at Oregon Road are designed to use much less energy than comparably-sized new-construction homes while also producing solar energy. While designed to maximize energy efficiency, these homes also to reflect the traditional farm-house style New England home, fitting seamlessly into Ashland and the surrounding area.
Ashland-based GMT Home Designs was chosen for The Preserve among several potential architectural firms because of the company's commitment to new technologies, including both green building techniques as well as advanced 3D rendering capabilities. 3D modeling and architectural rendering service will allow developers and potential buyers to see the home and the area with photo realism before it is built.
"We are truly excited about this project and the value it has for Massachusetts homeowners," said GMT founder Glenn Travis. "This is the beginning of a wave of green building that will continue to grow in the Bay State and across the country."
Green construction is indeed growing steadily in the United States. “In 2011, green construction was about a 17 percent share of the overall (home building) market, and that’s up from less than 2 percent just a few years ago,” said Kevin Morrow, senior Green Homes Program manager at the National Association of Home Builders. Independent research firm SBI Energy confirms
Business owners can also find energy efficiency information and resources through the nonprofit US Green Building Council at http://www.usgbc.org/home, as well as through the Green Building Certification Institute at http://www.gbci.org.
The mix of new building techniques and energy-saving materials, together with New England beauty, further confirms Ashland as one of Massachusetts' best areas to live and work.