Portfolio » New Custom Homes
Harper Street Project

We are currently developing an infill neighborhood of sustainable courtyard homes on Harper Street in North Chattanooga. To make these homes as earth-friendly as possible, we eagerly thought through every step in the design and construction process. The current interest in all things ‘green’ has resulted in a wide range of excellent products, and while we always aim to carefully choose regional, renewable and low-emitting materials, we understand that building green involves much more than product selection. We have focused specifically on site selection and utilization, site-specific house layouts, thoughtful detailing of the building envelope and careful attention to the construction process. We do this to minimize the home’s environmental impact and give the client a home that will operate efficiently for generations; and we do all of this in order to craft homes that delight their owners.

The Harper Street Development is conveniently situated in a section of Hill City that is experiencing the westward expansion of North Chattanooga’s revitalization. This neighborhood provides easy access to Coolidge and Renaissance Parks, Frazier Avenue and the stylish mixed-use developments along Manufacturer’s Road. By providing an urban, single-family option, these homes offer an alternative to the condominium and townhouse developments populating the north river area.

The plans for these houses will be based on individual courtyards on each home’s south side; however, a variety of plan options are available for each home. It is important to allow all major spaces to have plenty of access to natural light and ventilation while creating a private outdoor room. Many of the homes will feature a roof deck with a pristine view of downtown Chattanooga. The east-west orientation of the homes will also help make use of solar gain in the winter, and shading that blocks the summer sun will help control heat. In addition, we are exploring options for the collection and storage of rainwater.

Furthermore, energy inefficiency, water infiltration and mold are primarily a result of inattention to the complex system of the building skin. Well-sealed air infiltration barriers, foam-in insulation, vapor permeable wall materials and rain screen siding systems form an integrated approach to enclosing and protecting the interior spaces.

The entire process of construction has been carefully considered in order to insure that waste is minimized. The existing four lots contained three houses that had passed their useful life. The normal process would be to demolish and landfill the houses. Instead, one of the houses was moved and completely renovated while the other two are being separated into component parts and then recycled, mulched or crushed into fill as applicable. In order to minimize waste, the new houses are designed with material dimensions in mind. Advanced framing and alternative structural systems will be utilized to optimize structural integrity while maximizing resource efficiency. Low maintenance and durable materials have been chosen for the exterior, while low to non-emitting materials have been selected for a warm, friendly interior environment.

Thoughtful planning and careful execution are essential in crafting a warm, enjoyable and energy efficient home. We build homes that we would want to shelter our families; and we do this to insure that future generations will not have to pay for our choices.