Greenovate home in East Austin
People call us all the time. “Hey, I saw that TV show. That was great.”
In 2008, Solluna Builders built a 5-star green-rated home for home owner 
Cynthia Brown in east Austin. It was filmed by the Discovery Channel for the Greenovate TV show. It has been airing on the show ever since. Check out the schedule and look for the episode “Cynthia.”
The filming was a blast. We even got the mayor to come out and present the 5-star plaque to Cynthia. She was beaming with happiness that day.
It’s a good story. The owner is a single professional woman in her thirties. She did her homework well. She researched, read a lot of books, attended the Austin Energy Green by Design workshop, and interviewed green builders. She chose an infill lot in an established neighborhood, and she came to us with a specific budget in mind. Together, we designed a home that fits well in the neighborhood, and we chose the materials and methods that make the most sense for her needs.
It’s not a big home — just 1400 square feet. It is energy-efficient, pleasant and comfortable, and easy to maintain.
- Radiant-barrier metal roof
- Soy-based spray foam insulation sprayed between the rafters to form a thermal envelope in the attic
- Whole-house on-demand water heater
- Energy Star rated appliances
- Right-sized air conditioning system (based on a Manual J calculation) and programmable thermostat
- Custom double-pane, insulated metal-frame, low-E windows
- Insulated metal exterior doors
- Wide overhanging eaves
- Low-flow plumbing fixtures
- Locally quarried Texas limestone on the exterior
- Bamboo floors (a renewable resource) plus polished concrete floors
- Finger-jointed studs in the walls
- No-VOC paints and adhesives
- Silestone countertops
- Custom cabinets made with no- or low-VOC adhesives
(Don’t miss the customer testimonial.)
See video clips of the Greenovate TV show
Part 1
Intro, design, plumbing, foundation
Part 2
Framing, roof and eaves, exterior siding, vapor barrier, visit from Austin Energy Green Building program
Part 3
Low-E windows, insulation, metal roof, cabinets, paint, countertops, floors
Part 4
Paint, tile, kitchen, appliances, exterior, xeriscaping, final walk-thru, Mayor Will Wynn
