03 Mar Project Updates and a Sneak Peak at Final Plans

Deconstruction is not the only thing nearing completion.  We have diligently been working with our architects at Re:Vision, taking our original concept and moving it toward reality.  We are in the final round of tweaks before submitting for permits, which, with any luck, will happen by mid-March.  The overall feeling of the home has stayed the same, but we have made a number of modifications to open up the home even more, and get as close as possible to a net zero energy home.  The latest energy model is estimating that we’re going to come up short, but not by much.  Purchased energy is currently estimated at 1,592 Kwh per year, or roughly $145 at PECO’s current rates.  This is a 78% reduction from a house built to just meet code that has no solar thermal or PV systems!  Think about it; you could have a lovely dinner for two at one of the many fine restaurants near Bminor, or pay for a year of electricity.  How many other homes in Center City, or the region for that matter, can say that?

In addition to the energy efficiency, we are really proud of how open and functional this home is going to be.  Like Bancroft Green, we know this will feel and act like a much larger home, and have maximized every nook and cranny in the design.  For instance, the master bathroom on the 3rd floor will have a closet that will house the washer/dryer, custom built-in shelves for clothes, and an HRV.  The closet, however, actually occupies the air space above the steps that lead up to this floor.  Most other homes would have written this area off as unusable space.

As usual, our custom designs, high level of finishes, and insistence that our homes be built to a higher standard than anything else in Southwest Center City, are reflected in the asking price.  We looked at what is out there, particularly in terms of homes in the proximity of our little tucked away street, and nothing even comes close in this price range.  These factors, combined with the HUGE energy-savings every month, and the fact that many of these systems are expensive to install, left us little choice but to increase the price.  We are hopeful that a buyer comes along soon and helps us tailor Bminor to their specific needs, but we feel confident that once the home is built, it will go quickly.

Here are some renderings of the latest drafts from Re:Vision: