The largest co-housing project in the United States fits Passive House standards

WASHINGTON - Oct. 11, 2013 - PRLog -- New York, March 11, 2013 – The third co-housing project in Ithaca is already on the way.  The largest co-housing project is scheduled for completion in 2013 spring and will be inhabited right after that. The TREE is built to be sustainable, environmentally responsible community with the smallest ecological footprint possible.

Co-housing communities are getting more and more popular in the world among people who want to become more socially, economically, ecologically sustainable and care about saving earth resources. “Co-housing communities all over the world are getting a lot of attention right now,” said executive director, Liz Walker, “because we’re doing something that people really want: to live in a community in a way that respects and honors the earth.”

Ecovillage TREE not only represents fulfilling way of living, but also reflects to energy efficiency. Complex was designed and built to meet very stringent Passive House standard. Homes built to Passive House standard can reduce their heating and cooling demands significantly. “We’re exploring different technologies that will allow the homes to have the smallest ecological footprint possible, including their energy use,” said Liz Walker.

One of the main factors that helped to reach the goal of sustainable home was energy efficient Passive House standard windows. “We chose Intus Windows because we wanted houses to be Passive House standard and Intus Windows were the best buy we could find” said Ecovillage TREE builder Mike Carpenter.

Asked about the cost to build this co-housing community, Ironwood builder Craig Modisher responded that “In comparison with standard build house it looks like it will be about little less than 5% increase for this kind of construction versus a standard co-build house.” Ecovillage TREE speaks for itself, every aspect is well planned to reach the highest efficiency. “We view it as a very cost effective way to build, comfort wise it’s good selling point along with the affordability.”, said Craig Modisher.

“Ecovillage TREE at Ithaca is the largest co-housing project in New York and in the United States” said Mike Carpenter.  Village consists of 25 houses total plus 4 story apartment building. The project founders seek to include people with diverse needs, abilities, backgrounds, and finances. The goal is to build sustainable and fulfilling way of living. Ecovillage TREE speaks for itself, every aspect is well planned to reach the highest efficiency.

For more information about Ecovillage at Ithaca, press only:

http://ecovillageithaca.org/treenew/index.php

To find electronic version, press only:

www.intuswindows.com/blog/EcoVillageAtIthaca