Local landowners stepped up and organized an effort to create a master plan for 40,000 acres in south Fulton County that established guidelines for future development within the CHC. These guidelines call for development to be directed into “villages” and “hamlets” in order to preserve the surrounding agricultural land. This approach encourages an increase in density and a mix of uses that creates town centers where residents live, work and relax.

As the flagship development, Serenbe incorporates all of the design guidelines set for the CHC. More than 70 percent of the 900-acre site will be preserved as green space, giving Serenbe a distinct character that is based on its connection to nature. In addition to the traditional elements of a residential development, Serenbe will include retail shops, office space, restaurants, horse stables, community gardens, artists’ studios and more. All of the homes will be built according to EarthCraft House guidelines, in alignment with the community’s emphasis on environmental responsibility.

Not only is Serenbe providing a model for environmentally responsible development, but it is also proving to be a valuable practice ground for future architects. CHC chairman Steve Nygren, who is leading the Serenbe development team has recently worked with students in architecture programs at both Georgia Tech and Texas A&M University, giving them valuable hands-on experience in designing sustainable communities.

“One of the best ways to make sustainable development standard practice is by giving future architects a chance to try their hands at it,” said Nygren. “It gives them a working knowledge of the design principles instead of just textbook understanding, and hopefully it inspires them to make sustainability a priority in their work for many years to come.”

During the fall of 2003, 52 students in the Georgia Tech College of Architecture were challenged to develop concepts for the town center of Serenbe. Although architecture students routinely use actual projects for their class work, it is unusual for them to have the opportunity to work on a project like Serenbe, which has attracted a great deal of attention and acclaim both locally and nationally.

The project began with Nygren leading the students and their professors on a tour of the heavily wooded Serenbe site. The group used colored tape and survey equipment to mark the location of the planned road and give students an idea of the natural setting in which they would place a town center, restaurant and wellness center.

“One of the greatest lessons that the students learned from this project is how architecture fits with other disciplines, such as planning and urban design,” said Charles Rudolph, associate professor in Georgia Tech’s College of Architecture. Students were given the Serenbe master plan and instructions to work within the guidelines established for the community, which Rudolph said was a valuable experience for them.

Brandon Clifford, one of the third-year graduate students who participated in the project, cites the opportunity to interact with a client as another rewarding aspect. “Most of the projects we work on are make-believe,” he said. “It was nice to be able to tour the site, ask questions of the client [Nygren] and get direct feedback from him. It gave me a good idea of what it will be like to work for clients in the future.”

In April, Serenbe’s founders honored the top 15 projects with a reception. Several hundred attendees enjoyed a beautiful spring afternoon at Serenbe and had the opportunity to view the students’ models and schematic designs.

Georgia Tech students weren’t the first to try their hand at designing a piece of Serenbe. In the summer of 2003, a graduate architecture class of 12 first-year students at Texas A&M, led by Dr. Phillip Tabb, were challenged to create concepts for the live/work units, where owners will operate a business on the lower level and use the upper floors as their personal residence. Dr. Tabb, director of architecture at Texas A&M, has been working with Serenbe for several years, and provided his expertise in sacred geometry to develop the community’s master plan. When he proposed that his students develop designs for Serenbe, Nygren readily agreed and welcomed the opportunity for creative input.

Each student was given a profile of an imaginary owner for a unit and asked to develop a design appropriate for the user and the type of work for which the space would be used. The class also was charged to work together and consider the overall functionality of the development, without sacrificing the aesthetic beauty of the individual units. The resulting efforts made such an impression on Serenbe’s founders that the model has been displayed in the sales office and used as inspiration for the live/work section of the community.

The Serenbe scene set the stage for the development of smart growth plans and gave students the opportunity to take on a real-world challenge in south Fulton County.

The outstanding concepts of two students — Jason Herber and Jeff Chapman — attracted the attention of the founders and developers, who elected to build two of the live/work units according to the student designs. “The results were so outstanding that it was an easy decision to follow through and develop their designs,” said Nygren.

Herber and Chapman spent several days in May 2004 at Serenbe, working with the architect of record, Atlanta-based Randy Miller, to refine their designs and approve the final plans for construction. Dennis Crumpler, founder of XcelleNet, has purchased Herber’s unit. The office portion of this space has been donated to the Chattahoochee Hill Country to use for five years and will serve as its headquarters when completed. The second unit will be available for sale. Hedgewood Properties is developing the live/work units and other homes at Serenbe, which will all meet EarthCraft House standards.

“Having one of my designs built is definitely a major starting point in my career and I owe a lot to Dr. Tabb and Mr. Nygren for giving me this opportunity,” added Jason Herber. “It is definitely a unique experience for us as students.”

To view photos of the students’ work and to learn more about Serenbe, visit www.serenbecommunity.com.