Vegas Magazine - Niche Media - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/332267
The mag ic comes from what you don't see, starting with the solar-panel system on the roof. "W hen it generates more power t ha n you're using, it puts power back on the grid and you get credit s back," says Josh A nderson, E lement 's founder. Ot her innovat ions include a spray foam insulation from Bayer MaterialScience in the walls and roof, which also works well as a water- and soundproofer. "It literally fills every void and is an incredible insulator," Anderson says. And there's a lifetime warranty on the roof if it's recoated every 10 years. A Carrier HVAC system monitors the indoor and outdoor temperatures and determines the most efficient way to heat or cool the home. It a lso of fers a ir f ilt rat ion a nd U V ster ilizat ion, and its settings can be adjusted via smartphone. "Probably t he most cr it ica l step in creat ing a high-per for ma nce home is building a n enve - lope, ba sica lly a n aboveg round subma r ine," A nderson expla ins. "You cont rol int roducing fresh air in the home, filtered through a home fil- tration system, so you don't have the heat gains and losses you would have in a typical home." Similarly, a Vantage home-automation system let s you remotely adjust t he L E D light ing throughout the residence. The st r ucture's list of next-level product s is seem ingly endless. Jed Tippet s, who worked with Anderson on building the house and select- ing mater ia ls, says t hey used a pla sterlike substance from Phase Change Energy Solutions (phasechange.com) that employs thermal energ y storage to maintain a constant, preprogrammed wall temperature. "It attacks temperature on a molecular level," Tippets says. Broker Bob Barnhart of Luxurious Real Estate (luxurious-estates.com) —who is working with the builder Growth Construction on seven new eco- friendly Vegas homes, all of them desig ned to meet t he US Depa r t ment of Energ y's Builders Challenge guidelines for energy-efficient build- ing—has noticed a move toward energy efficiency among buyers who understand the value of recy- cling and managing their water supply, heating, cooling, power consumption, and air quality. "T he consumer in t h is ma rket st a r t ing at $3 million, they're very aware of this newer technol- ogy," he says. "If you don't follow the paradigm sh if t in lu xu r y home building, you r home is going to be dated in 10 to 12 years." But developers point out t hat energ y-sav ing features can be incorporated into houses of any price. Pulte Homes (pulte.com) recently sold out the LEED-certified Villa Trieste community on Mor ro Vist a Dr ive, w it h homes —a ll of wh ich have solar panels, tankless water heaters, blown- in cellulose insulation, and Energ y Star appli- ances—selling for less than $350,000. At Pulte's Coldwater Crossing, where the residences come w it h t a nk less water heaters a nd t he opt ion of sola r power, t hree-bedrooms st a r t at less t ha n $250,000 for more than 2,000 square feet. Who says it isn't easy being green? V " You walk in and you're encapsulated with this amazing feeling." IVAN SHER PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SHAPIRO & SHER continued from page 109 ABOVE: Decks in the New American Home are made of environmentally safe Thermory engineered wood that can withstand Vegas's desert climate. BELOW: Retractable Phantom Screens provide shade and can be raised or lowered with the touch of a button. 110 VEGASMAGAZINE.COM HAUTE PROPERTY 110 VEGASMAGAZINE.COM