Philadelphia Revolutionizes City Living with Net-Zero Town Homes by Nexus

Philadelphia, a city that has played a key role in U.S. history, is now determined to lead the country to a more sustainable future. Not only has Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced Philly’s intentions to be the “Greenest City in America” by 2015—but, with the participation of Nexus EnergyHomes, the city is now building its new reputation, one net-zero-capable Downtown neighborhood at a time.

Nexus’ Foundry Court project comprises five lots located at 4th and Brown St. in Northern Liberties, the Old City district of Philadelphia. Each of the homes will be built to Emerald Certification standards, the highest green building specifications set by the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB); and will be capable of generating as much energy as it uses, saving homeowners thousands of dollars annually on their power bills.

The Stevensville, Maryland-based construction company, is committed to promoting Philadelphia’s growth by partnering with local investors, government agencies, and businesses—including FUSA Design, which has created architectural renderings that feature homes with more than 2,800 square feet of light-filled living space, garages, light towers, and roof decks. The designs are modern with a nod to the traditional.

Each home is tied to the grid for “net metering” and is developed with next-generation, low-carbon structural features, such as:

• Geothermal (ground sourced) heat pumps;
• Photovoltaic solar panels;
• Super-insulated building shells;
• State-of-the-art electronic and Web-based controls and monitoring systems;
• Energy Star-rated household appliances; and
• Multiple power-saving devices.

Power is produced during periods of sunshine and drawn from the grid at night, or during periods of extensive cloud cover, in order to offer annual zero, or near-zero, grid electricity demand.

Ann Ashley, senior vice president for Nexus EnergyHomes, commented, “As the recognized national leader for energy efficient home building, we are well-qualified to help Philadelphia achieve [its] goals for a revolutionary transformation towards a cleaner, greener lifestyle.”

“Our high-performance homes combine the best technologies available under one roof,” she said. “And the homes’ geo-solar technology is just the beginning of features these luxury dwellings offer prospective homebuyers. Nexus’ townhomes will provide a myriad of green outdoor home living options, such as rooftop gardening (including vegetables and artistic plantings), and the [best] practices for water reclamation.”Superior indoor air-quality (IAQ) is a core component of the town home design, which features a central vacuum, HEPA air filtration systems, energy recovery ventilation systems, and low VOC (volatile organic compound) building materials. The combination of energy efficiency and clean air not only helps reduce allergy symptoms and prevent respiratory issues, but also offers a quieter, more peaceful downtown living experience.

Foundry Court has received the blessing of the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association and is awaiting Zoning Board of Adjustment approval. That’s expected to be granted in early August, with construction commencing right afterward. The four-bedroom, 2.5-bath homes should be completed sometime in December and will be priced in the $700,000 range.

The company also is building a classic suburban-style, single-family two-story home with two car garage at 301 Fountain Street in the Manyunk/Roxborough section of the city. 

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