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.

the temple project

The Synagogue Before Renovation

Kevin Stephens Design Group designs and builds amazing buildings, but we’re also dedicated to community. In Tulsa, Oklahoma; we are restoring a synagogue to create a sustainable conservation center. The building is three-stories, has a green roof, and will provide a place for people to discuss sustainability ideas and issues. This project has drawn attention from numerous news-sources, and it’s quickly becoming more than just a building. The Temple Center is a place for ideas, and that’s so powerful.

You can find all the details here.

Until Next Time,

Christine

Tulsa community bands in efforts to surmount homelessness

Sometimes we overlook the simple fact that having a home, rented or owned, is a cornerstone to our everyday life. It provides us with shelter, a place to rejuvenate, a place to gather or of intimacy. To keep a home the not so subtle fact is that you need income. Now, what if there is a job loss? Maybe, transportation went first, and second the house. As the economy unraveled so did the dreams and foundation of having a home. Today, this and similar situations, make up a large percentage of the homeless population of Tulsa.

In a recent publication of Tulsa People an innovated approach to surmount homelessness is explored. The cities social service groups whom focus on homelessness, band together to increase their overall impact in solving this chronic situation. A relatively new approach of housing- first, is being put to work. What we find are organizations like Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless, John 3:16 Mission, Mental Health Association (MHAT), Youth Services Street Outreach, and the Salvation Army banning together to increase their efforts to house the homeless. The main goal is to provide affordable housing to homeless candidates, offering stability while they get back on their feet and return to the cadence of life. Many of the qualified homeless have had homes and retained jobs before.

Building Tulsa, Building Lives is the campaign spearheading this new trend of service. Yale Avenue Apartments lead the way in this movement when they opened their doors as assisted living facilities for the mentally ill and homeless in January 2010. The projected Hudson Villa’s will also provide affordable housing for the homeless. These are efforts, which will not only provide the comfort of a home but also offer services to ensure a greater adaptability to mainstream life.

Observing the communities strength as it joins forces to solve the issue of chronic homelessness is inspiring. This is community. The essence of seeing a dream come to fruition by second chance, third chance, or maybe even fourth chance.

Read the original article.

Greenpark Tulsa

Click to enlarge Greenpark Tulsa

It seems as though Tulsa is getting a boost in the green technology department.  A news article this week announced that Greenpark will bring over 2,000 jobs to North Tulsa. These jobs will be centered around manufacture, research, services and education in the green sector. This particular development will be in the Vann Industrial Park located at 61st street North and Lewis Avenue.

Ion Solar and Green Property Funds are two local development firms that are currently designing Greenpark. The buildings themselves will introduce cost-saving and green infrastructure that will be shared by several businesses. Large-scale geothermal HVAC systems will be installed to cut down on energy use. This development will be a symbol of economic development for the Tulsa area and will also represent a movement towards a green future.

Cheerio!
Katie

Club Skib: urban renewal at its coolest

Tulsa's Club Skib - Stage 1

At first, Club Skib sounds like a hip bar or a quirky shoe store. Okay, maybe not the latter, but the point is that you wouldn’t expect Club Skib to be a name for a backyard. You may ask, why would someone name his or her backyard in the first place? It’s obvious when you see photographs of this backyard. It’s the result of a renovation project in the backyard of a city home in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The environmental importance of resisting the urge to move to a suburb, is often under stressed. One of the main, critical reasons for living in a city is the incredible amount of pollution you save by decreasing suburban driving. By renovating their city home into a place of sanctuary, these homeowners were able to create their own sub-urban oasis right in the middle of an urban environment. Because of their creative renovation, they are now able to simultaneously enjoy the best of what the suburban and the urban have to offer.

A brilliant pool and hot tub is the centerpiece of the back yard. Although there are many pools across America, it is the design of the pool that elevates the space into something more than an average backyard. With cascading waterfalls of various heights on one side, the pool is a calm and smooth surface contained within a rectangular frame. The owner has a personal story behind his affection for pools, and it stems from memories of his parent’s old home. Living in a place where summers can be incredibly hot, he spent many summer days lounging beside, and in, this cool escape.

Tulsa's Club Skib - Stage 2

The departure from his parent’s pool comes from the design. An interesting aspect of the backyard, other than the basic design, is the interplay between the various textures. Within one backyard are brick, wood, cement, grass, and metal. One material doesn’t stand up against another, but each exerts its influence on the overall mood of the space.

Tulsa's Club Skib - Stage 3

More at their blog.

Tulsa's Club Skib - Finished

And suddenly there’s a building!

The progress on our new Tulsa Condo at 1432 Trenton St.

Check out our new condo!  The walls are up, the exterior is coming together, and we’re nearing completion…

Three 3Bed/3Bath amazing condo units will be available in the next few months, starting at $345k.

open house friday 4-8pm for 814 e. 3rd st.

come see our two condo units for sale this friday from 4-8pm~

814 3rd street consists of a renovated, 2-story brick building with two large 1 bedroom loft condos. each unit has a large master bedroom, spacious modern master bathroom with real stone tile, high ceilings, recessed halogen lighting throughout, laundry room, half bath, prewired with smart wire for premium sound system and computer networks, large living & dining rooms, modern kitchen, custom-made modern cabinetry with hydraulic closing, high-end stainless steel appliances, polished concrete & hardwood floors, entry courtyard, security system, high-end modern plumbing and lighting fixtures, with optional solar power.

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.

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!

cooking on 1429 s quincy

so we just kicked into high gear working toward the completion of our 1429 s quincy condos in tulsa!  hardwood floors are in, we’re painting the walls, and getting closer to finishing the beautiful fireplaces in the second unit.

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