For instance, sustainable homes should be environmentally designed at the system level, optimized to improve energy efficiency in all home systems -- interior and exterior. "The idea behind the Sustainable Luxury Living Checklist is simply to further educate environmentally-conscious individuals on what they can expect thanks to today's green building revolution," said Chad Gifford, president and founder of Catalyst Communities, Aura's developer.
"Of course, all of the homes at Aura at Camelback are designed with our Checklist in mind. But we want this "green" consciousness to spread everywhere -- in Arizona, across the country and around the world."
Aura at Camelback is a 36-unit townhome project located in a bustling business, shopping and entertainment district known as the Camelback Corridor, one of the most sought after residential destinations in Arizona. Units at Aura range from 2,469 to 3,147 square feet and are priced from $900,000 to $1.3 million.
Each of the 36 residences at Aura at Camelback will be fitted with a state-of-the-art solar photovoltaic system from Agenera, a Phoenix-based solar utility provider that will generate up to 100 percent of the electricity needs of the unit. The solar electricity system is so efficient that Catalyst Communities is offering a zero electricity bill "guarantee" for the first five years of residence at Aura at Camelback.
Aura at Camelback is designed as a Silver LEED for Homes (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) development, a national benchmark from the U.S. Green Building Council for the design, construction and operation of high performing green buildings. The Checklist's eco-friendly aspects are designed around many of the features of the LEED program.
Senior Rae Kristoff Architecture of Phoenix handled the design for Aura at Camelback while Urban Edge Builders of Scottsdale will be building the community. Aura at Camelback will break ground in spring 2008 with completion scheduled for mid-2009.