The Chain of Eco-Homes
| Meadowlark House
Greensburg GreenTown | 402 S. Sycamore St. Greensburg, KS | 620.723.2790 | www.greensburggreentown.org | info@greensburggreentown.org
Greensburg GreenTown |
Our Story
On May 4, 2007 the community of Greensburg, Kansas was destroyed by a powerful EF-5 tornado, one of the largest ever recorded. Shortly after the storm, the people of Greensburg made the decision to rebuild as a national model for eco-friendly building practices and sustainable living. Greensburg GreenTown is a 501(c)(3) grassroots nonprofit organization that formed within days after the tornado and works daily with the local community to realize their vision of becoming a model town for a sustainable future. Greensburg has become an inspirational story of ordinary Americans making extraordinary strides in sustainability. While GreenTown is a private nonprofit, we maintain an official relationship with the City of Greensburg and continue to work closely with them in a variety of capacities.
Important areas of work we are involved in include: • Encouraging and supporting residents, • Framing issues of energy efficiency and the business owners and governmental entienvironment in non-political and easily ties to utilize their resources efficiently and understood language sustainably as they build for the future • Carrying out a major role in helping the Green Initiative gain visibility in national and international media
• Managing hundreds of thousands of dollars of volunteer work hours and in-kind contributions
• Building partnerships with individuals, businesses and groups who are interested in investing in GreenTown projects
• Constructing the foundation for a new eco-tourism economy by offering Green Tours of the community and Eco-lodging to visitors through our Chain of Eco-Homes project
• Educating residents and visitors about sustainable building techniques, technologies, and green living practices
Chain of Eco-Homes Meadowlark House Greensburg GreenTown | 402 S. Sycamore St. Greensburg, KS | 620.723.2790
Chain of Eco-Homes | Design Competition Greensburg is an inspirational story of ordinary Americans making extraordinary strides in sustainability. That’s why we at Greensburg GreenTown and our partners at FreeGreen.com invited designers and architects from around the world to participate in a competition in 2009. Over 150 teams from 38 states and 13 countries entered to help us find seemingly ordinary homes that act in extraordinarily green ways. The competition participants were challenged with the following: • Think outside of conventional 2x4 construction and incorporate one of three innovative wall systems: HIB-System, Virginia Lime Works EMU or Amvic ICF.
Meadowlark House | Grand Prize Winner - Steven Learner Studio
• Uphold the goals of The Chain of Eco-Homes Project by designing a home that exhibits sustainable techniques and can function as an educational center and eco-tourism destination. • Create a financially accessible home for the average American homeowner by keeping the buildable design cost under $110/SF. The winning design, The Meadowlark House designed by Steven Learner Studio, is now in the works to become the next GreenTown Eco-Home!
Root/Breathe/Endure | First Runner Up - Stuttio Workshop
Competition Highlights: Over 150 Entries Participants from 38 states and 13 countries World renowned jury Three dynamic rounds of judging
Cisco Systems telepresence conferencing technology, supported by AT&T, connected participants from around the country 1 grand prize winner, 2 runners-up
Linear Villa | Second Runner Up - Daniel Day Studio
www.greensburggreentown.org info@greensburggreentown.org
Meadowlark House
Street view
Garden view
Interior view
Interior view
The Meadowlark House was designed as a sustainable prototype a growing family with a modest budget could afford. The result is a compact yet spatially dynamic home for contemporary living, with an eye towards the future. The home’s central function is to serve as an educational tool to demonstrate affordable green building practices and living techniques. It will feature the latest in sustainable products as well as showcase emerging technologies we hope to see in homes all across America. This includes harnessing the sun’s abundant solar energy to provide heat, generate electricity through the aid of solar panels, and heat domestic water with a solar water heater. Cooling needs will be provided through natural ventilation and the use of an energy recovery ventilator, an energy saving alternative to air conditioning. Innovative and first-of-its-kind construction practices include the use of the Passive House US rating program and the prefabricated HIB-System for exterior walls. State-ofthe-art appliances and other features will make this home an exciting showcase of “the future today”.
Features Include: “Being a part of the Chain of Eco-Homes competition in Greensburg was a thrill for us. Building the first North American HIB-System home under the Passive House standard in Greensburg, KS is not only a huge commitment from GreenTown but also a clear sign that the landscape in the North American building industry is continuing to evolve.” -Jan Hoetzel, HIB-System Representative
Chain of Eco-Homes Meadowlark House Greensburg GreenTown | 402 S. Sycamore St. Greensburg, KS | 620.723.2790
Built to Passive House US standards Solar water heater Modular wood block wall system Natural ventilation Passive heating & cooling Solar carport High level of insulation Powered by solar panels Energy recovery ventilator Rainwater collection
Innovation Meadowlark House will display the latest in a variety of exciting and innovative sustainable construction products and practices. Our plan is to achieve a net-zero energy home through the use of passive solar design for heating and cooling needs, solar panels for electricity needs, and a solar water heater for domestic hot water needs. An electric vehicle will even be charged under a solar carport!
Bedroom Bedroom
Bedroom
Kitchen Dining Room
Living Room
What is a Passive House?
What is the HIB-System?
Meadowlark House will be built to Passive House specifications: a rigorous, voluntary building standard for energy efficient buildings. Combining state-ofthe-art technology with old-fashioned quality construction, the result will be a very well-insulated, virtually air-tight building that requires little energy for heating and cooling saving up to 90% of energy costs compared to an average home. There are currently 10 other certified projects in the United States, with 19 projects pre-certified and 27 in the planning stage. Meadowlark House has been pre-certified and will be one of the first Passive House projects in the State of Kansas.
Meadowlark House utilizes an award winning innovative, prefabricated wood block wall system popular in Europe but new to the US market. The 100% biodegradable toxin-free wood blocks provide excellent insulation qualities, extreme sound dampening, and are structurally able to withstand the high winds of southwestern Kansas. The HIB-System is a virtually problem free, self-build system. The premanufactured blocks are shipped ready-toassemble and are easily handled without the need for expensive lifting devices. They quickly and easily lock into each other in a “Lego� ego style his will be operation saving time and money. This the first project in the U.S. to use thiss innovative and organic wall system.
www.greensburggreentown.org info@greensburggreentown.org
Chain of Eco-Homes |
Silo Home
The Chain of Eco-Homes Project plans to build as many as 12 homes designed to be “Living Laboratories� featuring a variety of building techniques, sizes, prices, and energy efficiency features. Each home will serve both as an informational center and as eco-lodging where people can experience green living first hand. This is the first such project in the nation and is key to further developing an ecotourism industry in Greensburg. The Silo Home was the first to be completed in the Chain of Eco-Homes and houses a bed and breakfast suite, the local Green Visitors Center, and the administrative office for GreenTown. Designed and constructed in partnership with Armour Homes, the round concrete form is designed to withstand sustained winds over 200 mph and visually relates to the grain elevator located just 5 blocks north of us one of the few structures to survive the storm.
Features Include: Green Visitors Center Resource Center for Community Over 60 Individual Private & Corporate Donors Over $250,000 of Capital Invested
Chain of Eco-Homes Meadowlark House Greensburg GreenTown | 402 S. Sycamore St. Greensburg, KS | 620.723.2790
2 kW solar panel Energy monitoring Instantaneous hot water heater Intensive green roof Rainwater collection
High efficiency heat pump Bamboo flooring Dual-flush toilets Recycled glass countertops High-efficiency windows Reclaimed kitchen cabinets
Silo Home | Selected Images
www.greensburggreentown.org info@greensburggreentown.org
Funding Opportunities
We intend to focus on sustainability, affordability and innovation as the main themes in this project. If you manufacture or sell a product along these lines, we would be interested in visiting with you about sponsorship opportunities. This is an excellent marketing opportunity to promote your product and receive direct exposure to the thousands of visitors who pass through Greensburg every year. Sponsors can also contribute services such as labor, or provide direct monetary contributions that can be applied to the project in a variety of capacities. The Meadowlark House offers many exciting opportunities for an individual or company to get involved and we offer an array of benefits. Join this rapidly growing list of sponsors already involved in the Meadowlark House today!
Donations to Date: Item:
Donor:
Donation Value:
Construction & Operations HIB Modular Wood Block Appliances & Electronics
Raymond C. & Anna T. Johnson Foundation | Macomb, MI HIB-Systems PLC | Meissenheim, GER LG Electronics | Englewood Cliffs, NJ
$100,000 $50,000 $25,000
Donor Menu:
Total Donation Value to Date: $175,000 +
Core Sponsor:
$60,000+
Room Sponsor*:
Donation Value:
System Sponsor*:
Donation Value:
Kitchen Living room Bathrooms Dining room Bedrooms Landscaping Laundry/Recycle room
$25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $20,000 $20,000 $15,000 $10,000
Product Sponsor:
Donation Value:
Solar carport Alternative Energy Electrical Plumbing Heating & Cooling Siding Roof Water Collection
$60,000 $25,000 $15,000 $15,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000
Flooring Insulation Lighting Windows
$10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000
Chain of Eco-Homes Meadowlark House
Do you have a product or service for Meadowlark House not listed and are interested in joining this exciting project? Please contact us at 620-723-2790 to discuss the possibility of your donation. There are many exciting projects GreenTown is working on if Meadowlark House is not a perfect fit for you. Contact us today to find out more!
Donation amounts are calculated based on the sum of cash and the wholesale value of goods donated to the project
*Sponsors will receive naming rights for rooms with donation value of $25,000 or more
Greensburg GreenTown | 402 S. Sycamore St. Greensburg, KS | 620.723.2790
Sponsor Program
In addition to the unique opportunity to be involved in a one-of-a-kind project being followed closely by individuals and media the world over, our partners in the Meadowlark House project will receive the following benefits. (All benefits available cover a minimum of two years)
Benefit:
Platinum Level: $25,000 or more
Gold Level:
$10,000 to $24,999
Silver Level: $5,000 to $9,999
Bronze Level: $1,000 to $4,999
• Company or product displayed in home with dedicated signage explaining sustainable benefits • Representation in Meadowlark House materials, including printed and digital brochure, commensurate with donation value • Product and/or company materials displayed in our Green Visitor Center • Free stay in one of our Eco-Lodging destinations or opportunity to host private event in one of our facilities • Company logo displayed on construction signage • Dedicated blog entry about your donation on our website and Facebook page • Advertising space in Mother Earth News or Natural Home magazine, commensurate with donation value • Detailed representation of donation and product on Meadowlark page of our website • Your company included on two page spread in Green Builder Magazine feature article • Name recognition in GreenTown press releases, newsletter, Meadowlark House media coverage and naming rights for a room or system
www.greensburggreentown.org info@greensburggreentown.org
Media Coverage
Greensburg has captured the attention of the media and the imagination of the world. Our comeback, and the idea of turning adversity into something positive, is a story for our time. The story is uplifting, inspiring and a beacon of hope. One of GreenTown's most important roles has been to help media representatives understand the scope and importance of the Green Initiative as it applies to Greensburg. Below is a sampling of news organizations that have covered our story since the community made the decision to rebuild green.
“...Greensburg has managed to dramatically rebuild while also becoming an example for sustainable communities everywhere. And, with projects like the upcoming Chain of Eco-Homes that will study the most effective and comfortable ways of eco-friendly living, Greensburg shows no sign of stopping anytime soon.” -National Geographic
“Eco-tourism will be our primary economic engine for a while, as we try to attract new industry. We want this to be a place where people can come and experience environmentally sustainable living.” -Daniel Wallach, GreenTown founder and Executive Director, as quoted in The New York Times
“...Greensburg is taking its name to heart and striving to become a green community of the future. City and county officials, residents and business owners are leading by example, making Greensburg a national model for environmentally conscious living.”
Chain of Eco-Homes Meadowlark House Greensburg GreenTown | 402 S. Sycamore St. Greensburg, KS | 620.723.2790 | www.greensburggreentown.org | info@greensburggreentown.org
-CNN