Southface Institute: Blog

Announcing the newest EarthCraft addition to the Serenbe community: the Rodale Organic Life House, located in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia.

The EarthCraft Awards returned this year with a fresh take on what makes an EarthCraft project great.

In early June, HomeAid Atlanta, a nonprofit organization that builds and renovates housing facilities for organizations serving homeless families and individuals in the metro Atlanta area, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony …

Continue reading "Transitional Housing Expanded with Help from HomeAid and EarthCraft"

See what happens when an experienced builder publicizes his ongoing commitment to green building. The resulting house, called "Green on Gift," is certified as EarthCraft Platinum and has received one of the highest point totals in the program's history.

Southface announces the first project in the nation to achieve three EarthCraft certifications: Communities, Light Commercial and Multifamily. Southface worked on the Emory Point development with Gables Residential and Gilbane Building Company.

The story of the Rockmart Children's Academy and its success in EarthCraft Light Commercial Certification.

Young Israel of Toco Hills, a Modern Jewish Orthodox community in Atlanta, Georgia, first opened its doors in 1994. Ten years ago, the synagogue realized that it was quickly outgrowing its space and began planning for a larger facility. EarthCraft Light Commercial Certification helped them achieve efficiency goals while building a new, larger space.

The Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and Southface are pleased to announce that Fannie Mae will reward multifamily properties with a green building certification, such as EarthCraft, with a lower interest rate.

Joe Thomas of Elemental Green Homes saw an opportunity during a Greenprints conference six years ago. Hearing a presentation on market trend research, Joe became convinced that the younger generation valued green building more than their parents. He knew that as that generation matured financially, there would be a market for environmentally conscious first-time home buyers.

The EarthCraft green building certification program was developed by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and Southface in 1999. EarthCraft certification helps to ensure that buildings and communities in the region meet strict criteria for saving energy and water, ensuring high indoor air quality and protecting land and natural resources.