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Award-winning KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, announced today the opening of Utah's newest living community, Terra Sol, a pioneering urban infill development near downtown Salt Lake City. Built by Garbett Homes and designed by KTGY, these solar-powered, geothermal homes are built with the newest and most efficient technologies available making it not only the greenest residential community in the state, but also a new benchmark for builders.
"Garbett has done what no other builder has done; they have completed the loop from inside to the outside," said KTGY's John Tully, a principal and a founding partner of the California-based firm. "We took leading-edge solar photovoltaic, solar thermal and geothermal technologies that have traditionally only been found in expensive custom-built homes and made it work for an affordable production home. Its cover - bold, modern exteriors - amplifies the technology inside, and the inside matches the outside. We are excited about this next generation of housing."
The true success is the number of sales at Terra Sol. According to Rene Oehlerking, Garbett Homes’ marketing director,"In 4 months, we have sold out of Phase 2 at Terra Sol with 23 sales; that's a third of the entire community."
"Garbett transformed an older, less desirable neighborhood in South Salt Lake, and revitalized it with exciting, new architecture styles and eco-friendly homes appealing to both empty nesters and young, first-time homebuyers; two very distinct and different buyer profiles," said Tully. "Empty nesters love the location and its close proximity to downtown amenities, and the young homebuyers are attracted to the cool exteriors, the modern, high tech interior, and the affordable green technologies."
“Many young buyers want to go green, but they just can’t afford it," notes Oehlerking,“So we made green affordable. It’s just that simple! With solar and geothermal power, you’re not only being environmentally conscious, you’re also saving money. Homebuyers can cut their monthly power and natural gas bills by at least 50%. In this economic climate, every penny saved really counts.”
“We invested nearly $1 million dollars in research and technology in preparation for building Terra Sol to achieve the most energy efficient, sustainable residential community in Utah,” said Rene Oehlerking, Garbett Homes’ marketing director. “We learned how, from the walls to the dishwashers, to make these homes use minimal energy while actually generating energy to be sold back to the power company.”
To help educate potential buyers on the green homes at TerraSol, Garbett Homes has built a demonstration home that literally peels back the walls, floors and ceilings to showcase the energy-saving features. These “Learning Centers” become an invaluable tool to explain how super-green these homes actually are. Standard energy-efficient, green features include: spray foam and blown-in insulation, low-e windows, CFL lighting, solar panels, solar hot water, geothermal heating and cooling, 100% Energy Star 3.0 certification, and bio-based resource efficient engineered wood.
"Terra Sol’s home scored a 37 on the Home Energy Rating (HERS) system," said Oehlerking. “With the HERS rating, the lower scores are better. In Utah, generally it’s uncommon to find homes under 50, let alone under 40. With as little energy as these homes use, coupled with the power they sell to the power company, homebuyers can expect to pay electricity bills as low as $5 per month and natural gas bills as low as $7 per month."
“At Garbett Homes, we’re committed to building the greenest and most sustain¬able homes possible,” said Bryson Garbett, president and CEO of Garbett Homes. “We’re also educating potential homebuyers on what it means to buy an energy-efficient and sustainable home, and ways they can take advantage of its construction for years to come.”
TerraSol is centrally located to downtown Salt Lake City, close to employment, shopping, entertainment, Home Depot, TRAX light rail, University of Utah and Westminster College. This new urban community is also within walking distance to Lincoln Elementary School, Granite Peaks High School, recreation and ball fields, parks, grocery store, and 16-plex movie theater. It is also just 10 minutes to Mill Creek Canyon, one of Salt Lake City’s most popular recreation areas, and 20 minutes to Big Cottonwood Canyon and ski resorts.
About Garbett Homes
Founded in 1983 in Salt Lake City, Utah with the intent to build beautiful homes for discerning buyers at the most affordable prices possible. Since then, Garbett Homes has built over 4,000 homes in more than 30 communities in the United States and Mexico. Garbett Homes (garbetthomes.com) strives to offer the most up-to-date technology and innovative designs in a comfortable and functional home. Garbett Homes is absolutely committed to Green Building Practices and is constantly looking for new ways to improve every aspect of energy efficiency, sustainability and environmental responsibility.
About KTGY Group, Inc.
Celebrating its 20th year, KTGY Group, Inc. (KTGY.com), Architecture and Planning, provides comprehensive planning and award-winning architectural design services for residential communities, retail, hospitality, mixed-use and related specialty developments. KTGY delivers innovative solutions that reflect clear understanding of development, market trends and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland and Santa Monica, Calif., Denver, Colo., and Tysons Corner, Va.
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