Presented at the International Builder's Show in Las Vegas, the National Association of Home Builders' Best in American Living Awards "spotlight the most creative and innovative builders, remodelers, architects, developers, land planners and interior designers in the nation."
The eco-community Concord Riverwalk took home one of the national awards program's top honors, "Community of the Year," as well as a Platinum Award in the "Green Community" category.
Concord Riverwalk is a "pocket neighborhood" of 13 high-performance, small footprint, beautiful houses gathered around a park. With craftsman-like detailing, inviting porches, winding footpaths, and extensive community gardens, Concord Riverwalk encourages social interaction that nurtures a sense of community, safety and cohesion. Following smart growth tenets, it is located near a town center and a commuter rail station, and is built to a Net Zero Energy standard.
The houses are designed with details and systems that enable energy-conscious residents to have all of their daily energy needs met by renewable, on-site solar collection. The market-rate, for-sale homes each feature 2 or 3 bedroom layouts and range from 1,340 to 1,760 s/f. The clustered community was designed to preserve 50% of the site as open space - a concept fundamentally appealing to residents looking to reduce their carbon footprint. The community shares a three-season screened pavilion with an outdoor fire pit, community gardens, and a nature preserve along the adjacent river.
Dan Gainsboro of NOW Communities, the developer of Concord Riverwalk, said "To be recognized by the National Home Builders Association represents the culmination of a four year endeavor achieved by a wonderfully talented team committed to designing and creating a model for future housing based on the principles of community, efficiency, simplicity, value and beauty. This award represents an important shift in the attitude towards sustainable living."
Donald Powers of Union Studio Architecture & Community Design, the project's architect, adds "The NAHB is one of the largest and most significant organizations in the building industry; they keep squarely on the pulse of what American home buyers demand. For Riverwalk to be designated as their 'Community of the Year' suggests sustainable neighborhoods are no longer a fringe movement. Buyers want these types of neighborhoods."
NOW Communities and Union Studio are partnering on a number of new projects, including the design for a new sustainable neighborhood with 120 homes at the decommissioned Fort Devens army base.