Story by Kelli Bemelmans
Deans and Robin Hackney, owners of Signature Homes, built
SeaBrooke is a forward-thinking neighborhood based on respect for the land and family values. Nature trails, green space, fountains and winding roads meander through the 500 acres of this idyllic neighborhood. Ponds with ducks and geese dot the natural forest landscape, and walking and biking trails invite investigation.
The Hackneys have a “Beyond Basics” philosophy: Upgrades are standard and every home is built to exacting standards. All Signature Homes are built with these guiding principles in mind — the homes must be durable, functional, stylish, safe and affordable. The homes are Energy Star certified and built to the standards of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Building Program. Signature Homes was the first builder in
Energy Star is a joint program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy. The program protects the environment through energy-efficient practices and the use of green household products and building materials. Certified Energy Star homes can save up to one-third on their energy bills.
The NAHB Green Building Program seeks to mainstream green building practices through focusing on energy efficiency, indoor air quality, water and resource conservation, and the use of sustainable or recycled products. Robin believes this mainstreaming is here to stay.
“This is trending upward; it’s not a fad,” says Robin. “The big companies are getting on board – it’s not going away.”
The Hackneys’ vision is to respect the earth while building exceptional homes.
“It really is the right thing to do,” Robin says. “There are only a certain number of trees; they take 50 or 60 years to grow. I want my kids to be able to play in the woods. Everything you do affects something else.”
To that end, the Hackneys have dedicated themselves to developing and building as green as they can. This begins early in the process: They remove only the trees necessary to make way for home sites and roads, and they grind those trees into mulch. As many trees as possible are left standing. Jobsite trash recycling practices are in place, and green building materials are purchased.
“It is a myth that green building is prohibitively expensive,” says Robin. “We haven’t added a dime to these houses. The biggest misconception is the cost.”
Some green measures even cost less, she says. Mohawk Carpets, made from recycled soda bottles, are a cheaper, safer product. Sherwin Williams Harmony no-VOC paint is less expensive, and motion-sensor lights save money because they automatically turn off when not in use. Blown cellulose insulation is made from recycled wastepaper, meets all fire-safety standards and creates a 100 percent seamless seal — 36 percent tighter than fiberglass. This saves money on energy bills as heating and air-conditioning units can be downsized while keeping temperatures more consistent and providing better soundproofing.
Recycled concrete roadbeds are as safe as but less expensive than traditional roadbeds. Other green measures include gardeners pulling weeds by hand instead of spraying pesticides, reflective windows and the use of recycled materials, from countertops to vinyl siding. Also available are roadside recycling and rain barrels.
In addition to the advantages of living in a green community, SeaBrooke offers a variety of affordable homes. Two-story townhomes in The Falls are available from the $180s. With three plans to choose from, the 1,800- to 1,900-square-foot homes are expandable, offer plenty of storage and are standard with one-car garages and covered porches. The Gardens, starting in the $230s, are 1,500- to 2,000-square-foot homes with screened porches, fenced rear yards and two-car garages. The Villages, from the $240s, offer one- or two-story plans with 1,900- to 2,700-square-feet of heated space. Covered porches and two-car garages are standard.
All of SeaBrooke’s homes go “Beyond Basics” with many standard features: hardwood floors, extra phone and cable jacks, Energy Star–certified stainless steel appliances, and ceramic bath tiles. Kitchens offer HI MACS solid-surface countertops and have 42-inch cabinets. Homes are pre-wired for security and have motion-sensor lights inside and out. The windows are treated to reflect sunlight, lowering air-conditioning costs and preventing fading of furniture. The plans are flexible — spaces can be used for entertaining, offices, play rooms, exercise rooms, the ideas limited only by the homeowners’ imaginations.
Some might assume that quality of living at SeaBrooke takes a backseat to the emphasis placed on green building. This is not the case. SeaBrooke’s planned amenities include a beach-style pool with a sloping entry, an adjacent open-air pavilion and a five-acre village green – a common area large enough to host a soccer game and intimate enough to have a quiet picnic under a shady tree. The village green also boasts a playground, an amphitheater and a fire pit for roasting marshmallows on a chilly fall evening. Connecting streets and sidewalks are perfect for walking, jogging and biking.
Quiet living at SeaBrooke doesn’t mean giving up conveniences. Two golf courses are within two minutes, with 30 golf courses between SeaBrooke and the
More than anything, SeaBrooke is a place to call home.
“You have to go over a bridge and past a waterfall to get here,” Robin says. “It’s a destination, a relaxing home environment where you can mend from your day.”
You can contact Deans or Robin Hackney at (910) 392-3379 or visit http://www.seabrookenc.com/
To learn more about green building practices, visit http://www.energystar.gov/ or http://www.nahbgreen.org/
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