Today’s environmentally-conscious consumers are looking for homes that offer more than luxury living. They want to do the right thing for the environment. That was the idea behind Mark Built Homes’ new community, Madison Place, a transit-oriented, eco-friendly collection of 35 luxury condominiums in picturesque Madison, N.J.
Madison Place offers sustainable homes designed to meet LEED certification standards. LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Design, and it’s not an easy designation to achieve. Builders and developers must complete a lengthy list of steps that address various aspects of construction from the materials used to the airflow of the home. Third party inspectors review the homes to ensure that they meet the criteria.
Madison Place will feature one- to three-bedroom condominiums with state-of-the-art appliances, beautiful flooring and upscale finishes. Sustainability is seamlessly incorporated throughout.
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LEED Certified construction, EnergyStar Rated appliances and lighting create an eco-friendly, high efficiency residence that will save homeowners money on energy bills. This includes a 95% energy efficient variable speed furnace and 16 SEER, two stage air conditioner with programmable thermostats. Energy saving R-21 insulation is used for the exterior walls and R-60 insulation is on the roof. Each home is built with high efficiency equipment and the ductwork is sealed, inspected prior to it being closed up and then tested after to make sure it functions as intended.
All building materials are carefully vetted, and recycled products are incorporated wherever possible. “We use gypsum board that’s recycled, and also manufactured nearby to minimize the number of supplier deliveries, thereby minimizing emissions. We’re using recycled aggregates in our concrete. We use a panelized wood structure and prefabricated wood trusses, because those components are made indoors in an environmentally-friendly, temperature-controlled warehouse where there’s higher quality control.”
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“Through pre-planning and strict quality control, we minimize waste in all parts of the construction process,” (s)he added. “For example, we premeasure and account for everything so we don’t add unnecessarily to the waste stream.”
One of the LEED requirements is the introduction of fresh air into the homes at Madison Place.
There must be constant airflow. “This is extremely important,” said Name. “The old way was to build homes that were airtight, which inadvertently caused problems, capturing fumes from carpet, furniture, etc. The introduction of fresh air results in a much healthier environment.”
Even the exterior of Madison Place incorporates sustainable features. “We have a drip irrigation sprinkler system in our courtyard to minimize our use of water,” said Name. “Our landscaping features drought-tolerant plants, so that we’re not wasting water. We are utilizing an infrastructure that’s already in place, and not creating new roads. There are many other subtleties that you’ll find throughout the property.”
In addition, Madison Place’s location is transit-oriented. That means residents can walk to mass transit, further cutting down on potential car emissions. “Within minutes, they can be at their favorite coffee shop, restaurant or boutique—or on the train with a direct line to Manhattan,” said Name.
Mark Built Homes goes the extra mile, not only with LEED certification but with future-oriented thinking. “It’s not part of the LEED requirement, but we installed the electric infrastructure for future car charging equipment,” said Name. “This is the type of home that will appeal to the energy conscious, forward thinking buyer. It’s the future of home building, and it’s right in Madison.”
About Mark Built Homes
Based in Union, N.J., Mark Built Homes is a family-owned company known for its creative designs, unparalleled craftsmanship, commitment to excellence and integrity. For three generations, the company has constructed award-winning residences of enduring character and value. At its helm is President Michael Markovitz, a Harvard and Cornell educated architect and builder. For more information, visit http://markbuilt.com/.
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