ZERO-ENERGY COMMUNITIES:

Transformations, Inc. has several communities both in the ground and in planning stage in Massachusetts. The sites include projects in Townsend, Princeton, Harvard, Devens, and Easthampton. All of the homes are built with the goal of being net Zero-Energy and near Zero-Energy homes. Ideally each home produces more energy than consumed over the course of a year when combining solar (PV) energy, efficient mini-split heat pumps, along with other environmentally sustainable devices to make homes as efficient and comfortable as possible. All of the development plans have a traditional New England style including: Greek revival, Georgian Colonial, Victorian, Salt Box, Farm House, and Barns. Currently houses are being built in Townsend, Princeton, and Easthampton.

The developments by Transformations provides homeowners housing in communities that support energy efficiency helping to eliminate the carbon footprint one step at a time. These homes exhibit profound energy efficiency to the point that ideally they are generating more energy than they consume. Homes are orientated for better internal natural light, incorporate fresh air systems into the precisely engineered heating and cooling systems to recycle wasted air heat, and utilize water saving plumbing fixtures and energy saving electrical fixtures. We use long life cycle materials where feasible in addition to materials such as, glues, paints, and finishes that contain low to zero Volatile Organic Compounds.

A full list of Transformations, Inc. communities and plans can be seen below by clicking available links:

Harvard, MA
The Harvard project has its ZBA approvals for 24 Zero-Energy homes and is expected to break ground late in 2012.

Townsend, MA
Towsend consists of 40 new homes and is currently in the 2nd of 3 phases. The finished Needham home in the community was an award winning Zero-Energy home with a HERS score -4

Devens, MA
Transformations Inc. was chosen by MassDevelopment to permit and build 8 single family zero energy homes, priced starting at under $350,000. Among the homes already built is a "Positive Energy Home" which is projected to produce an average of $100 a month more power than it uses.

Related news articles:

  • HOMES OF THE FUTURE - Devens development will produce its own energy By Mary E. Arata. Source: The Lowell Sun - June 07, 2011 - Devens Green. More than a name, it's the philosophy behind a new neighborhood being carved into the landscape of the former Fort Devens Army base...
  • Zero-energy housing project breaks ground at Devens by Joe Hutchinson. Source: The Harvard - Friday, June 10, 2011 - Harvard also in line for zero-energy project. Adams Circle at Devens will be the site of a new community featuring eight single-family zero-energy homes, homes that produce more energy than they consume over the course of a year by combining solar (PV) energy, efficient mini-split heat pumps, along with other environmentally sustainable devices. Local developer R. Carter Scott and energy and design consultant Richard Gilles of Ayer began working on the zero-net-energy concept for Devens 10 years ago. Scott, CEO of Transformations, Inc., has built similar homes in Townsend, Princeton, and Easthampton...
  • Zero Net-Energy Houses Going Up in Devens - The Harvard Press

Roxbury, MA
Transformations and Sage Builders and have been selected by the Boston Redevelopment Authority to develop and build 4 Positive Energy Homes along Highland Street in Roxbury.

Princeton, MA
Currently Transformations has built the shared driveway and began construction on 1 of the 4 Zero-Energy homes.

Easthampton, MA
Easthampton includes 33 Zero-Energy homes, 12 built in the phase I of the project including 3 affordable units. The homes are adjacent to a Treehouse Community which brings together families and the elderly forming a community to help foster cared children.

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LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT (LID):

Low Impact Development pattern that combines thoughtful site planning with best management practices to create projects with preserved open space, reduced impervious surfaces, improved storm water drainage, and site sensitive landscaping. It can be a useful tool for balancing development with the natural hydrology of the region. LID can help to maintain stream base flows, minimize loss of recharge to aquifers, maintain stream and wetland buffers, help address flood concerns, and reduce storm water pollutant loads from developments. It can also be an aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional storm water design. LID is one of the many tools that communities have to achieve their Smart Growth goals (quoted from a Danvers LID flyer). Both Marla Circle in Tyngsboro and Coppersmith Way in Townsend are examples of LID developments by Transformations, Inc. Rain gardens, bio-retention cells, open glass lined swales, reduced pavement widths, and disconnect flow paths are being used in both developments.

Above is a rain garden, a LID system that allows natural drainage to occur without impact on the ecosystem.