Solar Village - Interview with Mark Kostovny
Sep 18th, 2008 by rlsorbe
Solar Village has been involved as a developer and architect of single family and multi-family home projects in the Colorado area for the past 4 years and the principles have over 20 years experience in the architecture and energy conservation field. They specialize in affordable, sustainable Homes and Condos that use as low as zero energy over the year. Some of their recent projects are Solar Village Prospect in Longmont, Solar Village Redwood in Boulder and Solar Village Maple coming soon to downtown Ft. Collins.
Below is an interview with Mark Kostovny, one of the Founders of Solar Village:
Boulderspace: What was the inspirations behind building Solar Village developments, and how have your developments progressed from the original concept?
Mark Kostovny: Solar Village was started by the 3 founding partners to bring a no compromise solar home to a wider customer base by making our homes affordable and simple to operate. Our inspiration was the first Solar Decathlon house produced at the University of Colorado that went on to win the international Solar Decathlon competition. The winning students described the amazing reception they received when the house was on display at the national mall in Washington DC. Hundreds of thousands of “average” American fell in love with the concept of a “zero energy” house when touring the Solar Decathlon homes on display. This gave us a sense that the time was ripe for a branded solar home that the average American could afford.
Since our original project, Solar Village Prospect (a 16 unit mixed use building in Longmont at the Prospect Neighborhood), we have continued to evolve our product lines. We are currently introducing a complete line of solar homes through our manufacturing partner, All American Homes, in 34 states. This is the first home of its kind to allow a customer to order a complete solar home ready to go at a reasonable price point, and the buyer could be living in their new home as soon as 4 months from ordering it. This line of homes features the Solar Village Zero, an entry level home or vacation cabin that should have near Zero energy bills coupled with a compelling design.
Boulderspace: A number of architects have completed projects throughout the Prospect neighborhoods of Longmont, what has been the greatest design challenges and accomplishments you have faced on this project?
Mark Kostovny: Our biggest challenge at Solar Village Prospect was getting the sub-contractors to work to our green specification since they are used to building the way everyone else builds. Our biggest accomplishment was seeing that the bills our owners pay are truly very low with electric bills averaging around $25 and heating bills averaging around $30. Since the units use radiant floor heat, the owners get low bills while living in the most comfortable home they have ever lived in, according to them. Solar Village Prospect was awarded the exemplary Solar Project of the year in 2006.
Boulderspace: Which are your most unique development designs and why?
Mark Kostovny: Our goal is to integrate the green features of our building into the design so they either become invisible or they make an architectural statement. An example is the solar PV awning on our Solar Village Prospect façade and soon to be on our Solar Village Maple façade in downtown Fort Collins. The awnings generate electricity, shade the southern windows from the summer sun, and make a stunning architectural statement.
Boulderspace: With technology advancements steadily progressing, how do you see Solar Village utilizing these advantages?
Mark Kostovny: Our focus is always been what does the technology cost and how simple is it to operate and maintain? If the new technology lowers costs and is simple to use we will then be able to lower the price of our homes and increase the number of solar homes in our country that make a direct impact on our carbon footprint. So we are excited to see new technologies that further improve the economics of our homes.
Interested in learning more about Solar Village, check out their site: www.solarvillagehomes.com
Or visit their Solar Village Prospect Project in person at: 2018 Ionosphere St., Longmont CO 80504
Links:
New Urbanist Communities
Building Design
Real Energy For Affordable Living