 Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, EnviroCitizen.org believes that Greenbridge Condominiums will be a model for conscious living. The college town of Chapel Hill was named the Most Livable City in America by the National Mayors Conference in May 2009. Greenbridge Condominiums was named one of the 2008 Most Sustainable Developments in America by Natural Home Magazine. The structures will be equipped with solar thermal hot water systems, light emitting diode (LED) lighting, air purification systems and eco-friendly finishes such as no volatile organic compound (VOC) paint. Once completed, Greenbridge Condominiums will offer one hundred units and 25,000 square feet of retail space. It will be the first development in North Carolina to receive gold certification from the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard.
Greenbridge Condominiums were designed by William McDonough and Partners, an architectural firm that examines the environmental, social and economic consequences of their designs. McDonough was named Hero of the Planet by Time Magazine for his efforts in sustainable architecture. McDonough and his team are responsible for all of Greenbridge Condominiums’ sustainable, eco-friendly features. As McDonough states, the development will create a "walkable community". The design incorporates the regionally appropriate use of materials and resources. The spaces are designed to "reduce energy consumption while increasing the overall quality of living for its residents. Both literally and figuratively, one of the greenest features of Greenbridge Condominiums will be its green roofs, which will grow food and plants, provide a tranquil spot for relaxation or play and generate power. Green roofs are great because they insulate buildings effectively and cool them in the warmer months. Green roofs also reduce energy costs, reduce rainwater run-off and release oxygen into the atmosphere. In the case of Greenbridge Condominiums, the green roof will also incorporate solar photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors to offer residents a clean, renewable energy source. The roof will also capture rainwater to cool the building.
Greenbridge Condominiums will also have energy-efficient lighting and appliances, low-emissivity (low-e) windows and low-flow toilets. During the construction process, sustainably harvested or recycled lumber and materials are being used. Additionally, the vast majority of construction waste (about ninety percent) is being recycled!
Greenbridge Condominiums is one of many developments across the country that focuses on three things: people, the planet and profit. Once completed in the Spring of 2010, EnviroCitizen.org firmly believes that Greenbridge Condominiums will be a living model for conscious, sustainable living.
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