WASHINGTON /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ - With Earth Day just weeks away, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released a profile of the Ranch House at Del Sur, featuring it as the most highly rated "green" new construction building included in its "project profiles" of exemplary green buildings. The Ranch House is the welcome and information center for the "green" 1,800-acre Del Sur residential community in San Diego, CA, developed by Black Mountain Ranch LLC. It is the second-highest rated building of its kind in the United States and one of fewer than 30 such buildings in the world.
"We're thrilled that the Ranch House earned the Green Building Council's highest rating," says Fred Maas, president & CEO of Black Mountain Ranch, and developer of Del Sur. "The Ranch House exemplifies Del Sur's comprehensive approach to 'green' residential design and construction. We looked at every aspect of the development-from land use, to building design and construction, to road layout and paving materials-with an eye toward maximizing sustainability and environmental sensitivity."
The Ranch House earned the highest possible rating from the USGBC-Platinum LEED® certification. With a point score of 59 out of a total 69 points possible, the 3,000-square-foot Ranch House is the first private-enterprise, new construction building to achieve a Platinum rating in California, and one of only 30 such buildings in the world.
"One of the best ways of showing the benefits of green building is by making one available to the community at large," notes Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO & founding chair, USGBC. "As a community and resource center, the Ranch House at Del Sur will be a living and breathing example of the rewards green buildings offer."
A number of design and construction features set the Ranch House at Del Sur apart from other "green" buildings. By using solar photovoltaic power, airtight ductwork, tankless water heaters, low-emission windows and Energy Star appliances, the Ranch House reduces energy use by 57 percent. The Ranch House also reduces water use by more than 1 million gallons per year using dual-flush toilets, low-flow faucets, drought-resistant landscaping and a weather-based irrigation controller.
In the building phase, the Ranch House reduced construction waste by more than 89 percent by reusing and recycling building construction materials. The building is composed of 25 percent reused material, 10 percent recycled material and 5 percent rapidly renewable materials such as cork, sunflower husks and wheat waste.
As a visitor information and resource center, the Ranch House will raise awareness among consumers and new homebuilders of the advantages of green design and construction. Many Ranch House features are available as either standard features or options for the 2,500 market-rate homes and 469 low- and moderate-income homes under construction at Del Sur.
"We hope builders nationwide will look to Del Sur as a model for green residential development," adds Maas. "We firmly believe that smart, sustainable design and construction represent the future of housing development in America."
To see the USGBC profile of the Ranch House, visit www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1721.
Designed in consultation with environmental and civic groups, the 1,800-acre community of Del Sur represents the leading edge of comprehensive, smart, sustainable development and environmental preservation. With its Platinum LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the Ranch House at Del Sur-the community's 3,000-square-foot welcome and information center-sets the standard for green building design and construction. Del Sur opened in June 2006 and is approximately 20 percent complete. To learn more about Del Sur and the advantages of green building design, go to www.delsurliving.com/greenliving2.php.
Source: Del Sur
For additional information, contact Jennifer Cummings at (202) 822-9491.
