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 In the spring of 2006, Carlton and Brenda Owen moved into their newly constructed dream home in downtown Greenville. The 2,400 square foot house features large windows, a welcoming front porch, historic charm, and a spacious interior. But a closer look reveals that this house is very different from a typical residence. It features solar hot water, recycled-pallet flooring, soy-based insulation, paperless wallboard, and compact-fluorescent lighting. The Owens’ new home is Upstate House.
 A partnership of Upstate Forever and the Home Builders Association of Greenville, Upstate House is a single-family live/work residence in Greenville’s Pettigru Historic District that was the first EarthCraft-certified project in South Carolina. It also meets all Energy Star standards. Built with sustainably produced and recycled materials wherever possible, the environmental impact of construction was minimized. The home also reduces future depletion of natural resources with its state-of- the-art insulation, passive solar heating and natural daylighting. Due to its outstanding energy efficiency and hardy construction materials, the owners will enjoy low maintenance and operating costs for decades.
Low maintenance and durable exterior materials include aluminum-clad windows, slate roof, Hardieplank siding, and wide overhangs (rendering gutters unnecessary). The “recycled” front door was created from wood recovered from an area textile mill. Mature trees on the lot were protected, and the house is sited to take advantage of natural light.
The main living level features flooring made from rapidly-renewing eucalyptus forests, energy-efficient wood stove and appliances, operable skylights, compact-fluorescent light bulbs, low-VOC paint, and a recycled stone and concrete hearth.
The house was designed by the Johnston Design Group and was built by Rome Construction. Nearly fifty building products manufacturers and professional service providers contributed free or discounted materials and services toward construction of Upstate House. The value of these in-kind donations was donated to support the EarthCraft House program and other Upstate Forever and HBA of Greenville initiatives.
The house will be open periodically to groups of architects, builders, officials, community groups, and educators who want to learn how to lessen the impact of daily living on the environment while reducing energy and maintenance costs. As Carlton says, “Our goal was not to be green for green’s sake; rather, to find that crossroads where more sustainable decisions were also economically viable.” In this way, Upstate House can serve as a model for builders, clients, and affordable housing providers.
While the year-long construction process was beset by delays and unforeseen obstacles, the Owens remain upbeat. “It has been a tough journey,” admits Carlton, “but we’re excited about what the house offers for us individually, and, more importantly, what it offers as a legacy for green building in the Upstate.”
Next to the residence sits the only never-developed parcel in the Pettigru Historic District. The Owens have placed that property under a permanent conservation agreement, forever restricting development. It has been restored to a native woodland garden complete with a public trail linking the neighborhood to Cleveland Park.
The first phase of creating the Woodland Garden involved clearing from the site the results of decades of abuse – both from dumping of litter and waste and the removal of all exotic vegetation that had taken over the site. Earth Design developed a master plan for native understory and mid-story plants to reclaim the site beneath the mature canopy of oaks, pines and other forest cover.
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At the groundbreaking ceremony in April 2005, Carlton Owen points to the Upstate House sign after the cover was removed by Keith Rodgers of Rome Construction (on left) and Brad Wyche of Upstate Forever. Seated behind Carlton are (from left to right): Architect Scott Johnston, Greenville City Council member Lillian Brock Fleming, and HBA of Greenville representative Coleman Shouse. |
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