|
A Livable Community With Sol Thrives in Tucson
Recognizing the development, construction and marketing of livable homes and communities that improve the daily comfort, ease of use and safety for residents, NAHB and AARP honored five builders, remodelers and developers with the 2007 Livable Communities Awards at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando in February. John Wesley Miller Companies and its Armory Park del Sol commuity was one of the winners
Guidelines and applications for the 2008 Livable Communities Awards are available online. The application deadline is Friday, June 6.
|
|
 |
|
|
The net zero energy Armory Park del Sol winning home |
Armory Park del Sol in Tucson, Ariz. has a lot of appealing qualities and characteristics going for it.
It is full of universal design features. It features energy-efficient homes, including two all-electric “net zero energy” homes that put energy back into the power grid. It is within easy walking distance to downtown Tucson. And it is an urban infill that fits the character of the existing neighborhood.
Armory Park del Sol, by the John Wesley Miller Companies, now has one more accolade. One of its homes is one of five winners of the inaugural AARP-NAHB Livable Communities Awards acknowledging builders, remodelers and developers who build homes and communities with features that improve everyday comfort, safety and personal independence for those who live in them.
Armory Park del Sol, a 92-home community on 13.98 acres in downtown Tucson, was designed to be aesthetically compatible with the adjoining historic neighborhood, include state-of-the-art energy efficient technology and be “livable” for all physical abilities and ages, John Miller said.
|
|
 |
|
|
Great room | The development as a whole is universally accessible with six-foot wide common area sidewalks and wheelchair ramps from street grade at all corners and intersections.
The development is designed to emphasize community and people over vehicles, with the majority of homes facing common area sidewalks and having rear-loading garages.
A small park used for picnics and other events was created to enhance the spirit of the community.
|
|
 |
|
|
Kitchen | The universal design elements in the homes include such features as 36-inch wide door openings, levered door handles, bathroom turnaround spaces, no-slip tile floors, garage floor patios at the same elevation as the floors in each home, and toilets that are centered at least 18 inches from side walls and compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Some universal design features discreetly built into every home at Armory Park del Sol include:
- Step-free entryways
- Extra wide hallways
- Three-foot wide door openings
- Bathroom grab bars
- Roll-in and walk-in showers
- Dual shower heads with slide bar
- Six-foot wide sidewalks
- Extra wide patio access gates
|
|
 |
|
|
Solar panels on the net zero energy home |
Miller is long recognized as a national leader in energy-efficient homes. All of the homes at Armory Park del Sol feature photovoltaic electric power generating systems and solar water heaters with on-demand water heater backup systems. John Wesley Miller Companies is one of four builders selected by the Department of Energy to develop net zero energy-use homes that are designed to put energy back into the grid rather than taking energy from it.
One of the net zero energy homes earned the AARP-NAHB Livable Communities Award.
Current standard energy-saving features in all the homes include:
- 14 SEER or better high efficiency heat pumps
- Programmable thermostats
- Dual pane high efficiency windows
- Energy-efficient appliances
- Masonry wall super structure, concrete-filled for thermal mass storage and sound-proofing benefits
- Ceiling fans
|
|
 |
|
|
Master bedroom |
For more information on zero energy homes, visit the NAHB Research Center zero energy homes project.
For more information on Armory Park del Sol and the John Wesley Miller Companies, visit www.armoryparkdelsol.com and www.johnwesleymillercompanies.com.
Apply for 2008 Livable Community Awards by Friday, June 6
AARP and NAHB are now accepting applications for the 2008 awards program. Applications are due by Friday, June 6.
For more information about the Livable Communities Award, e-mail Blake Smith at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8583.
|
|
 |
|
|
Universal design roll-in shower |
|
|
 |
|
|
Aesthetically-appealing rainwater collection system |
 Find Out What the 45+ Housing Market Wants
“Right House, Right Place, Right Time: Community and Lifestyle Preferences of the 45+ Housing Market,” available through BuilderBooks.com, will help 50+ housing professionals determine the right design, home features and amenities to attract boomer home buyers in their market.
Margaret Wylde guides readers through the latest survey results on this important consumer group and explains what their responses mean for today’s and tomorrow’s home building industry.
To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
|
