Pictures From Hazelwood Park

A beautiful Fall day perfect for taking a stroll in Hazelwood Park across the street from the Smart Growth Mixed Use project.

Be a Bioneer - Connect for Change

The Marion Institute’s 5th annual conference Bioneers By the Bay will be held in historic Downtown New Bedford, MA, on October 23-25, 2009. We will be in the exhibition hall featuring sustainable businesses and organizations. Looking forward to meeting lots of people and introducing them to the Smart Growth Mixed Use project.

If You Lived Here, You Would Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

In a couple weeks we will begin the Energy Star certification with Building Diagnostics in Sandwich, MA. These two  three-bedroom townhouses have been designed to reduce energy consumption throughout. 

The systems include:

super tight and highly insulated construction

heat recovery continuous ventilation

heat pump with inverter technology

tankless hot water

ventless washer dryer

steam based dishwasher

water saving fixtures

fluorescent lighting throughout

Plus bus service right out the front door! And a beautiful shoreline all around...

Contact carol@effortlessdesign.com if you would like to lease one of these efficient homes. Move in after the holidays!

Green Building Open House October 3, 10am-4pm

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association has organized a Green Building Open House this coming Saturday. Visit the Smart Growth Mixed-Use project to tour and learn about the sustainable building practices we have used for high value solutions.

View Open House & Studio in a larger map

Just down the street you will find Fort Tabor with fantastic views of Buzzards Bay and an impressive fort and walking trails.

New Bedford Open Studios is also being held on Oct 3rd & 4th. effortlessdesign practices modern artisan design/build. Include visiting our project on your tour to the studios at 21 Cove Street. 

Putting the Pieces Together

The final touches are being brought together on the storefronts, new accessible entrance, and exterior. 

The rough construction phase of the townhouses is nearing completion, and we are planning to schedule walk-thrus and energy performance testing prior to starting the interior finish.

Recycling Everyday

Recycling has been a daily practice in the construction of the townhouses. This photo shows roof tiles saved from the original side parapets now  capping new parapets.

Other recycling has included:

- use of leftover flat roof insulation in the rear bumpout walls.

 - donation of leftover insulation from the EIFS to an area cultural group.

- use of shipping panel from metal siding as a ceiling soffit.

- mixing paint leftovers to create the color and amount of paint needed for small areas.

- contractors putting drink bottles and cans in the recycle bin!

- cardboard packaging put out on the curb.

- all raw wood has been separated for wood stoves.

Throughout the construction of the townhouses, a dumpster has not been on-site. All construction debris has been transported as needed in the back of a hatchback, making the recycling  even more useful and practical.

Super Wiring

Medieros Electric passed our electrical rough wiring inspection. It was truly music to my ears to hear Larry Medieros, son of Joe Medieros, say how impressed he was with the wiring chases in the SIPs. The credit belongs to Branch River Plastics and R Control for their consistent, systematic layout.