Greek and Special Interest Village Groundbreaking

Saturday November 14, 2009 was a landmark day for Southern Polytechnic State University. The Greek and special interest housing community celebrated the day with a ground-breaking ceremony to dedicate 10 houses that will give new life to 120 students and Southern Poly.

The long process to the reality that we experienced Saturday was initiated by Jeff Post, Alumni commander for Sigma NU IOTA PI fraternity almost twenty-six years ago. Jeff never gave up his vision to have a fraternity house on the campus of Southern Poly. He solicited numerous brothers for help in his quest including Michael W. Garrell of Garrell Associates, Inc.

Michael Garrell, Sigma NU brother, architectural graduate of Southern Poly, and Principal of Garrell Associates, Inc. was proud to produce the preliminary design that became the theme for all 10 houses in the village.

Garrell Associates, Inc. was proud to be involved in this project and would like to acknowledge the following:

• Jeff Post, Sigma NU Alumni Commander
• Lisa Rossenbacher, President of Southern Poly
• Ron Dempsey, Vice President of Southern Poly
• Niles Bolton
• Juneau Construction
• Ambling Development
• Daryle Higginbotham
• Jason Dooley
• Dana Whitlow
• James Hudgins
• Joe Gaskin
• Darren Sayer

We look forward to the completion of this project and the years of service that these homes will afford to the Southern Poly community.

Garrell Associates and the U.S. Department of Energy

Garrell Associates design consultants highly recommends going to the U.S. D.O.E. (EERE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy site, www.eere.energy.gov, to research for planning your new Garrell Associates green home plan. Mike Garrell began working with the D.O.E. (Southern Solar Energy Center in the early 80's. As well, the D.O.E. now has a very comprehensive data base for energy efficient home design. Garrell Associates recommends researching the "
Energy Plus" modeling software and the Building Energy Data Book (Chapter 2, Residential Sector) for great information. Also see the "Building America" program (PDF download) then purchase a beautiful Garrell Associates house plan and build it to the D.O.E. standards.

International Trade Vendor Blog

Garrell Associates, Inc. is proud to announce it’s new international trade vendor affiliate, Global Link Solutions(GSL).

In todays challenging business climate, Garrell Associates, Inc. an Award winning residential design firm, is working to strengthen ties with building product manufacturers. Our firm is reaching out to material and equipment companies that represent a high level of quality within their industry.
We have chosen to utilize GSL to implement this broad marketing strategy. Headed up by Sean Ryan and Kyle Ryan, this team's immense knowledge of the construction products industry and communication among business leaders will establish a solid foundation for a designer/vendor products program.
We will now be a “one stop shop” for exceptional home designs and the very finest building products. Garrell Associates emphasis will focus on high quality, low maintainance, green materials and systems. *Our goal is to design homes which use less energy and meet a low number (below 80) on the HERS (the home energy rating system by RESNET) while providing a durable, livable and beautiful home design for our clients and for generations to come. Also, see our vendors page and our green house plan page.

*This level of energy efficient design is available upon request.

Garrell Energy Blog

Garrell Associates is dedicated to creating beautiful green home plan designs. We are registered with the EPA as an Energy Star Designer. Our official rater is Building Performance Engineering. Garrell Associates is also a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (U.S.G.B.C.) Georgia chapter which provides a professional trade forum and continuing education programs for LEED. For your convenience we can provide a PDF file of the Energy Star plan checklist. Please contact us if you would like a quote on H.E.R.S./Energy Star consulting service for your Garrell Associates house plan design. To date, Garrell Associates (through our builder clients) have completed over 50 energy star rated homes. For your reference, our Energy Star partnership agreement number is PA-34553-20090225.

Building Performance Engineering contact information:
Bryan M. Burris (NC, SC, TN, & GA regions)
Technical Program Manager/HERS rater
Building Performance Engineering
www.buildingperformanceengineering.com
(828) 265-4888 office
(828) 264-2333 fax

Green House Plans

Garrell Associates is proud to announce our Satilla River Cottage plan (plan number 04215) has been chosen by Hanley Wood Publishers for the cover of their fall Eco Home Designs periodical. Garrell Associates provides Energy Star or H.E.R.S. rating through our energy rating partners Southface Energy Institute and Building Performance Engineering. Home owners could save possibly thousands of dollars by using Energy Star products. Garrell Associates and Energy Star give you the finest architecture and greatest performance in one attractive package. These house plans for sustainable living provide you endless options for eco-friendly living.