Pardee & KSDG: Teaming up for Sustainability Part 3

Here’s the third and final part of Scott Pardee’s discussion of how KSDG and Pardee Construction are reaching economically feasible and sustainably conscious solutions to housing! Read about the other six factors in Parts I and II.

7. Roof Gardens - These innovative gardens are becoming very popular among sustainability-minded households. We have blogged about rooftop gardens on the KSDG blog in the past, and have raved about their environmental benefits. Not only can these gardens be done inexpensively, but they are also drought tolerant and weather resistant when sedum is used as the main garden component. Additionally the plant requires very few resources, so it is an economically viable rooftop garden option.

8. Pervious Paving - Pervious concrete and drivable surfaces offer sustainable options for transportation and parking. Pervious concrete prevents water pollution by allowing water to seep directly through the surface and into the earth below. Drivable surfaces, such as grass parking spaces, also create sustainable spaces with function use for our modern technologies.

9. Breathable Walls  - Using natural materials to create breathable walls allows for effective heating and cooling systems in sustainably conscious housing. Breathable systems also decrease mold accumulation, allowing for healthier living situations.

Pardee & KSDG: Teaming up for Sustainability Part 1

Pardee Construction and KSDG are teaming up to work together and achieve 3 goals in sustainability:

1. Highest possible energy efficiency for housing
2. Demonstrate to the local community that sustainable choices can be made based solely on economics
3. Net Zero — for emissions and energy

How? Scott Pardee of Pardee Construction recently presented to Tulsa, Oklahoma’s city planning department just that. In his presentation, Scott highlights some of the choices Pardee Construction and KSDG have been making in order to achieve these goals. Here are the the first 3 of 9 factors Scott highlighted in his presentation:

1. Radiant Barrier - These barriers, made of highly reflective material and installed in attics, re-emit radiant heat rather than absorbing it. As a result, cooling costs are lowered in the summer. An efficient radiant barrier is marked by low emissivity and high reflectivity.

2. Rammed Earth - A building model borrowed from ancient times, rammed earth is a wall construction method that uses the Earth’s raw materials. This method is attractive for sustainability reasons because of the locality of the materials. Since the necessary building elements are often proximal, it takes less energy and resources to get them to the necessary building location. The density, thickness, and thermal conductivity of rammed earth walls also has sustainable benefits and make them a suitable material for passive solar heating.

3. Inter Company Development - This includes community activities like on-site organic gardening and encouraging people to bike or walk to work. A lifestyle of sustainability is a necessary couple to sustainable design!

Renewable Energy Comes of Age, Part 5

Last week, I attended the Clean Economy Summit in Washington DC.  It was full of movers and shakers in the emerging markets of clean and green business.  The following series of posts are from an article by Don Schjeldahl, Vice President of Renewable Energy Strategies.

Renewable Energy is Growing

“Although renewable energy is a relatively small portion of total energy supply both globally and in the United States, renewable energy installations in both the world and in the United States nearly tripled between 2000 and 2008. In the United States, growth in sectors such as wind and solar photovoltaics (sunlight to electricity, also known as “PV”) signify an ongoing shift in the composition of the U.S. electricity supply. Markets for wind turbines continue to grow as economics become more favorable and product offerings expand. The U.S. wind industry installed nearly 10,000 megawatts (MW) of new generating capacity in 2009 - enough to serve over 2.4 million homes. The industry consists of at least four market segments as defined by the power output; offshore turbines (>5MW output), onshore big wind turbines (1 to 5MW output), community wind turbines (100kW to 1.5MW output) and small wind (<100kW output). Investment in each of these sectors is expected to grow in the coming years.”
~
Part 4

Part 6

Share comments with President Obama after the State of the Union!

Business: working toward a clean economy, now.

I have exciting news to share.

I have spent the last two days at the Clean Economy Summit in Washington, DC and met amazing and influential people from all corners of the country.

This weekend, I became acquainted with Greg Nelson, Deputy Director of Public Engagement for President Obama.  As we spoke about energy policy and real estate development, Greg was curious to hear what my thoughts would be on the President’s energy policy–to pass on to the President.   And I’d like to hear from you to help formulate what I will share.

Here’s what I’m looking for: watch President Obama’s State of the Union address tonight at 6 pm PST, January 25.  Take notes on what your opinions are regarding the parts of his speech that refer to energy policy and business in clean economy.  Send them to me via email or Facebook.  Greg Nelson will be sending me a text file of the President’s script for me to make notes on and send back to the President.  I look forward to sharing with him my tenets about sustainability, green innovation, and business.

-Kevin

Financing Possibilities on New Tulsa Condos

1432 Trenton Condos

We’ve designed a new presentation to tell you about our condos for sale.  Click below to view.

Our news condos in Tulsa, Oklahoma coming down the pike will be available in the spring, and we’ve already got considerable interest in them.  The 1432 South Trenton condos are fabulously appointed.  There are three units available, each between 2000 and 3000 square feet.  The following features apply to each unit.

• 3 bedroom/3 bath condos, 2000-3000 s.f. units
• downtown skyline views, built-in home sound system
• custom wood cabinets & solid slab counters
• stainless steel appliances & smart wiring
• hardwood floors, private courtyard, 2 car garage
• optional: hot tub, outdoor kitchen, solar power
• unit a $345k, unit b $395k, unit c $445k

See the Presentation on 1432 S. Trenton Condos here.

We support the philosophy of living near where you work, of walkable and bikable neighborhoods, local and sustainable foods, rooftop gardens, and open spaces where people can gather and share a sense of community.

We want to make homes truly available to you.  We believe that, even in challenging economic times, home ownership is an important part of life, and we want to help make that possible.  To this end, we work with an advocate who can offer financing that fits a wide range of needs if you are interested in learning more about possible fianancing solutions for homes that we’re building.

Do you want to buy one of these homes or one like it in Tulsa but don’t think you’ll qualify for a loan?  Ask us about alternative financing possibilities, which could include lease to own or buy option, owner financing/owner carry, or credit restoration.  Our financial advocate can help you assess your situation and purchase a home from first step of inquiry to closing on a property.  If you are interested in hearing more, click here and tell us more about yourself.

Cables Removed!

After a really difficult time with some customer service departments earlier this year, we were able to get AT & T and Cox Cable to remove the cables hanging on our property in just a day.  This allowed us to complete our landscaping and plant a beautiful tree in the open space at 1429 S. Quincy.  Progress on these four remaining condo units is coming along!

804 East Third Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma

 

804 East Third Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma

the first new modern housing construction downtown. the bend is conveniently located minutes from the new BOK coliseum and only 3 blocks from the site of the new baseball stadium. this three block redevelopment project that will include eco-conscious modern housing mixed with eclectic local retail in the shadow of downtown tulsa. homes on three to four levels with exciting city views, plenty of privacy, and enclosed parking. The interior living square footage range is 2500-3500, and they are priced from mid $500K- mid $600K large bedrooms spacious modern bathrooms high ceilings, recessed halogen lighting throughout, spacious laundry rooms, real stone tile in baths, prewired with smart wire for premium sound system and computer networks, large living, dining rooms, and kitchen, custom-made modern, solid wood cabinetry with hydraulic closing, high-end stainless steel appliances, polished concrete, hardwood, and real stone floors, security system, garage, high-end modern plumbing and lighting fixtures, spacious roof deck with skyline views, wired for sound and plumbed for optional hot tub, outdoor kitchen, and optional solar power.

Tulsa World Article

Urban Tulsa Weekly Article

2415 S. St. Louis Ave, Tulsa, Oklahoma

 

2415 S. St. Louis Ave, Tulsa, Oklahoma

this beautiful three-story home, in the terwilliger heights neighborhood of midtown tulsa, oklahoma boasts a formal living room and formal dining room with restored 1923 details, updated modern kitchen and 4 ½ modern baths, 4 spacious bedrooms, hardwood floors on the 2nd and 3rd floors, terrazzo flooring in the media room with a built-in surround sound audio/ visual system, pool, pool house, fish pond, wine cellar and 2 car garage. the renovation on this property within walking distance of utica square shopping will be complete in April 2009.

1429 S. Quincy, Tulsa, Oklahoma

we are moving right along with the condos at 1429 south quincy. they are framed and dried in, the rough plumbing is complete, hvac, electrical, alarm & cable wiring are complete now. the first floor exterior block and roof are complete, as well.  we will start the metal siding and media wiring this week. the project is projected to be finished mid-january.

1408 S. Cheyenne, Tulsa, Oklahoma

 

1408 S. Cheyenne, Tulsa, Oklahoma

a modern 20-unit condo development in  downtown  tulsa, ok with views of the downtown skyline is minutes from cherry street shopping and restaurant district and scenic riverside drive. the 1500 s.f. units will be available for $265K – $295K. many modern amenities include: roof deck with optional hot tub, smart wiring for household computer and entertainment networking, custom made solid wood cabinets, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, stone tile in bathrooms, private courtyard, living room, dining room, kitchen, office, media room, master suite with a large bathroom, guest suite, and garage. coming spring 2009!