Press
We are happy to announce the first LEED certified residence in the United States, “EcoManor.” The U.S. Green Building Council developed the LEED for Homes program (Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design) as a rating system that defines “green building” by establishing a common standard of measurement thus promoting the transformation of the mainstream home building industry towards more sustainable practices. It will provide a much-needed tool for homebuilders, homeowners, vendors, and local governments for building environmentally sound, healthy, and resource-efficient places to live.
Laura and Rutherford Seydel are currently building the EcoManor residence in Atlanta, Georgia, where it will be used as a tool to illustrate the benefits of earth-friendly, energy-efficient homes. The home will be used as an educational tool to builders, architects, designers, vendors, landscapers, educators, homeowners, and the public at large. To date EcoManor is the host to state-of-the-art exterior and interior earth-friendly finishes including solar tubing, reclaimed woods, pressed hay cabinets, chemical free carpet, recycled glass and tile, Eco Spec paint, grey water tanks and automated faucets.
Laura and Rutherford Seydel decided in spring of 2005 to invest in the first LEED certified home. The couple is committed to environmental causes and have established themselves as local ecological activists. Together, the Seydels co-founded the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Fund and are both active on the boards of many other local and national groups including Earth Share Georgia, The Nature Conservancy of Georgia, the North Georgia Water Planning District Board, Georgia Advisory Council of the Trust for Public Land, and the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund. Laura Seydel also serves as chairman of the Captain Planet Foundation. In conjunction with the “environmentally charged” cartoon, Captain Planet and the Planeteers, the Captain Planet Foundation acts as a conduit to place funds in the hands of groups conducting environmental projects with elementary, middle, and high school students.
Because of their eco-sensitive commitment, Jillian Pritchard Cooke and DES-SYN have partnered with the Seydels and will lend their interior design expertise to EcoManor. Having become involved in the initial stages of EcoManor, DES-SYN has had the opportunity to research, learn and truly be hands on in every aspect of the project. At the project’s completion in December 2006, DES-SYN will unveil EcoManor as not only a functional, beautiful and safe home, but as a step in the right direction for the interior design community and homeowners wishing to make green living an attainable reality.
DES-SYN has relied heavily on local vendors, including Erin O’Brien of Iron Design. Erin’s custom, hand made pieces help to make this house unique, while utilizing local resources in a positive way. It is local vendors like Iron Design that will help make EcoManor a reality and continue to spread its ecological story to their clients.