Rachel Carson EcoVillage: All about our houses
What’s special about our RCE houses?
Our units are designed to meet high sustainability and durability standards, well beyond code requirements. We are building to Passive House standards and achieving this certification means we’ll have lower energy bills – saving 75 to 90% on heating and cooling, a smaller carbon footprint, and cleaner, healthier air.
You can read more about passive house certification but a few key points of our units will be:
- Highly insulated
- Free from combustion systems; utilizing electric heat pumps and heat pump water heaters
- Daylit with large (4×5) triple paned dual tilt opening windows
- Powered by green energy from renewable sources
- Customizable with open second floor that can provide additional bedrooms or living space
- Well-proportioned rooms with 9’ ceilings with cathedral 2nd floor ceilings
- Provided with a generous 8’ x 14’ front porch or larger deck and a 6 ’x 8’ back porch with private open space.
- Most units are accessible without steps.
A note regarding home value and appreciation – a study conducted in North Carolina in 2017 indicates that houses with green certification (including passive house certification) sold for an average of 9.5% more than others. Other research shows that homes in ecovillages tend to sell for 5 to 10% more than comparable conventional homes in the region.
Unit descriptions
(Scroll down for additional drawings)
All home purchases include a share of the common amenities including the Common House and a required capital commitment. Some units are available as rentals and co-purchasing may also be an option. Find out more at an intro session!
Crescent Unit–Studio in Common House
$260 K
- On the upper floor of the Common House
- 11’ x 16’ living/dining room
- Galley kitchen
- 9.5’ x 12.5’ sleeping area
- Washer/dryer on same floor
- Spacious closets
- Full bath
Checkerspot Unit-–Hickory Building
Middle: $386 K, End: $440 K
First floor:
- 12 x 16’ living room
- 12’ x 14’ kitchen with L-shaped counter/cabinets
- 11’ x 12’ bedroom with walk-in closet
- Full bath
- Linen closet and washer/dryer closet
- Two porches
The upper floor can be left open, or converted to an additional bedroom and bath, home office or fitness area as well as storage.
Viceroy Unit-–Walnut Building
$573 K
First floor:
- 14’ x 15’ living room
- 11’ x 15’ kitchen, with two counter/cabinet surfaces
- 2 bedrooms (10’ x 12’ and 9’ x 12’) with closets
- Full bath
- Linen closet and washer/dryer closet
- Two porches
The upper floor can be left open or customized with 2 additional bedrooms and a bath as well as additional space for a home office or fitness room and storage.
Duskywing Unit-–Locust Building
$597 K
- 11’ x 15’ living room
- 11’ x 14’ kitchen with U-shaped counter/cabinets
- 2 bedrooms (10’ x 13’ and 11’ x 12’) with closets
- Full bath
- Linen closet and washer/dryer closet
- Utility room
The upper floor can be left open or customized with 2 additional bedrooms and a bath as well as additional space for a home office or fitness room and storage.
Swallowtail Unit – Walnut and Locust Buildings
$642 K
- 11’ x 15’ living room
- 11’ x 14’ kitchen with U-shaped counter/cabinets
- 2 bedrooms (10’ x 14’ and 10’ x 14’) with closets
- 2 full baths
- Linen closet and washer/dryer closet
- Utility room
The upper floor can be left open or customized with 2 additional bedrooms and a bath as well as additional space for a home office or fitness room and storage.
Common House
- Sitting room
- 2 guest rooms for residents guests (used as meeting rooms when not occupied)
- Community kitchen
- Community dining room
- Laundry
- Pantry
- Utility room
- Workshop
