June 27, 2013 | Austin, TX
Austin Neighborhood First in Texas to Achieve Four-Star NGBS Certification for Land Development
Master plan including sustainable design, responsible land use and proximity to mass transit resulted in the highest NGBS rating
Today, master-planned community Northwoods at Avery Ranch was recognized by Home Innovation Research Labs as the first land development in Texas to achieve a four-star rating to the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard™ (NGBS). The project developers shared the news at an event unveiling both the certification and the development’s first three complete model home parks. Michael Luzier, President and CEO of Home Innovation, was honored to be on hand to present developer Gary Newman, Trio Development, with the certification.
Northwoods at Avery Ranch encompasses 182 acres in north Austin and is immediately north of and within walking distance of the Lakeline MetroRail station. The developer of the community is Austin-based Trio Development, and home builders Drees Custom Homes, Standard Pacific Homes, and Grand Haven Homes are building in three distinct sections of the community: The Estates, The Manors and The Cottages. Model home parks from each home builder are complete and builder sales offices are open at Northwoods. Home models are accessible from the intersection of Staked Plains Dr. and Lakeline Blvd.
Builders with green design and construction practices were recruited to build in Northwoods and to support the overall sustainability of the neighborhood. “Northwoods is connected to nature, north Austin, and mass transit to downtown Austin,” said Trio Development President Gary Newman. “I’d like for Northwoods to be the start of a conservation trend in suburban development.”
Trio designed the Northwoods community with sustainability and conservation in mind, featuring a site plan tailored to protect over 6,000 old growth trees; water-wise landscaping; and an amenity center incorporating deep eaves, natural ventilation and native materials. Additionally, materials typically discarded during construction were reused and recycled, or repurposed: removed trees were converted to mulch and limestone boulders were pulverized and used as road base.
Home Innovation Research Labs certifies new and remodeled homes and residential land developments according to the rigorous requirements of the NGBS – the only residential green building rating system approved by ANSI as an American National Standard. The NGBS, originally approved by ANSI in 2009 and recently updated and approved in 2012, provides practices for the design and construction of all types of green residential buildings, renovations, and land developments. In contrast to LEED certification, NGBS criteria can be applied to urban, suburban and rural land development.
More information about Northwoods at Avery Ranch is available online.
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About Trio Development: Trio Development is an Austin-based real estate development firm specializing in family and adult residential communities. Stewardship of land, trees, and the environment is central to the company’s work, which includes development, entitlements, and conservation. Current Trio Development projects include Northwoods at Avery Ranch and Pearson Place at Avery Ranch.
ABOUT: Home Innovation Research Labs, located in Upper Marlboro, Md., is a full-service research, testing, and consulting firm determined to improve the quality, durability, affordability, and environmental performance of single- and multifamily homes and home building products – in short, we aim to perfect the home. Founded in 1964 as a subsidiary of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), our team has been integral in solving many of our client’s most difficult product and technology issues, and helping to introduce some of the most groundbreaking innovations in construction. Through an interdisciplinary research approach – including market research, building science analysis, laboratory testing, and standards development – we help to find a home for innovation in the construction industry.
NOTE TO EDITORS ON STYLE USAGE: To identify this company and its work correctly, first reference should be "Home Innovation Research Labs." In subsequent mentions, “Home Innovation” should be used; we are not identified by an acronym. Prior to February 12, 2013, the company was known as the NAHB Research Center.