LG Squared, Inc Designs First-Ever Proud Green Home in The Sustainable Community of Serenbe

ATLANTA, GA, February 12, 2013 (Press-News.org) The Atlanta-based architectural firm, LG Squared, Inc. has designed the first-ever Proud Green Home which is currently under construction in, Serenbe, one of the few EarthCraft Communities in the Southeast, just outside of Atlanta, GA. This one-of-a-kind collaborative project with the sustainable media company ProudGreenHome.com and the Georgia-based green building experts, Imery Group "aims to make the science behind green building more accessible to the average homebuyer," said Bob Fincher, Publisher and CEO of ProudGreenHome.com. The anticipated completion is for May 2013.

In choosing an architect for the Proud Green Project, Bob Fincher states, "It was critical that we find the right architect to design this, our first Proud Green Home. We knew the architect of The Proud Green Home at Serenbe needed to have the proper educational background and certifications, and we also wanted to go with an architect that is very creative, deeply committed to and knowledgeable of building science, sustainable and green building principles. Chris Laumer Giddens and his organization, LG Squared, Inc. met our requirements at the highest level."

"LG Squared, Inc. is a mainly residential design firm that is becoming a forerunner in home performance design. Its owners, Jodi and Chris Laumer-Giddens' unique approach to residential design combines their architectural expertise with their extensive knowledge and training in building science. Furthermore, they are experts in HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) design, which is an integral part of green building and design. Because of these skills, it was natural for the Imery Group, to make them part of the team for the Proud Green Home project," explains Imery Group CEO, Luis Imery.

Chris Laumer-Giddens, who is an EarthCraft Technical Advisor, ENERGY STAR Partner, LEED AP and HERS Rater, has become a leading expert in building science and residential HVAC systems. He has designed the home to be 55% more efficient than a similar size home designed to meet Georgia's energy code requirements. To achieve that level of efficiency, the secret is in the details. LG Squared, Inc.'s unique house-as-a-system design approach results in a beautiful home with a high performance building shell and integrated high-efficiency HVAC system. As part of this collaboration, their expert application of cutting edge products has been made possible by the generous contributions and sponsorship from industry leading brands such as Huber Engineered Woods (ZIP System), Benjamin Obdyke, BASF, LG, Zehnder America, Boral Brick, Metal Sales, PlyGem, KOHLER, and KleenWrap.

By integrating an on-site renewable energy system, in this case rooftop photovoltaic panels, the home will have an annual energy usage of net-zero, or near net-zero.

In addition to the energy efficient design the layout and aesthetic of the home takes full advantage of the beautiful building site that overlooks a wooded area and pond. As you approach it from the street a stair tower defines the front of the home. Once inside, the foyer opens with a two-story space and open stair. At the rear of the house a full wall of glass doors that lead to the patio takes advantage of the view and the master bedroom features a 20-foot wall of windows.

LG Squared, Inc. has ensured that the finishes inside and out are sustainable and beautiful. On the interior of the home, additional product contributions from LG Appliances, Kohler and PPG Paints make possible a state of the art kitchen and bathrooms that offer the latest in comfort and style. Low VOC paints, water efficient plumbing fixtures and FSC Certified Wood flooring are just a few examples of the thought and detail that contribute to the home's beauty and sustainability.

In partnership with Southface Energy Institute, ProudGreenHome.com will monitor the performance of the home after it is completed and occupied in order to provide real-life feedback. The home is designed to achieve performance ratings in multiple programs including Earth Craft House (Platinum Level), ENERGY STAR (Version 3.0), EPA WaterSense and EPA Indoor Air Plus. These certifications give the owner the assurance that their home is designed and built to the highest standards in home energy efficiency, durability and sustainability.

Interested parties have the chance to experience a virtual home tour using SmartBIM/VIMtrek 3- D technology at ProudGreenHome.com. Blog posts and on-site videos documenting the building process are posted at http://www.imerygroup.com and http://www.lgsquaredinc.com. An open house is also scheduled in the coming weeks to allow visitors to learn firsthand about the building techniques and design that make this home so unique.

The goal of LG Squared, Inc. is to design homes that serve the owner in every way through expert design. With the success of this collaboration this one-of-a-kind home will become the new standard in residential design and building.

LG Squared, Inc. is a residential design firm that is becoming a forerunner in home performance design. Its owners, Jodi and Chris Laumer-Giddens' unique approach to residential design combines their architectural expertise with their extensive knowledge and training in building science. Furthermore, they are experts in HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) design, which is an integral part of green building and design.