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.

2009 Atlanta Magazine Dream Home Show

The 2009 Atlanta Magazine Dream Home Show opens October 3rd and runs thru November 15, 2009. The show is located just one hour from Atlanta in the mountain community of Big Canoe. Garrell Associates Inc. home design, the Cherbourgh Manor/Mountaintop Lodge is built by Chris Vann Custom Homes with Natural Element Homes partnership. The home is decorated by the award winning interior design designer Shane Meder. Public tours are Thursday thru Sundays from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Admission is free.

Camp Tranquility Playhouse design and show

Come to the HomeAid Project Playhouse Showcase weekends from September 19 to October 10, 2009 at The Avenue Forsyth. The playhouse village features Camp Tranquility, designed by Garrell Associates Inc., built by Dan DeJiacomo Custom Homes and is decorated by R.W. Design and Exchange. Raffle tickets may be purchased to win this charming playhouse. Admission is free, raffle tickets to win the playhouse are $3.00. The playhouse village is open for public viewing weekends Saturdays from 11am to 7pm and Sundays from noon until 6pm.

Terrace Level Plans

Garrell Associates has a growing collection of master on the main and ranch plans that also utilize the “terrace level”, also known as basement, for finished/expandable space. The natural condition of a sloping lot often requires an extensive foundation system usually in the form of a basement or an extremely high crawl space. Designing usable space into this lower level “terrace” is an extremely effective and economical way to achieve space.
The terrace level is a great place for homeowners to let their imaginations free to create specialized areas for both family and individual usage.
Garrell Associates terrace level plans have incorporated a broad variety of spaces as per the list below:
•Theaters
•Social Rooms with Fireplaces
•Billiards Rooms
•Bar Areas/indoor/outdoor
•Craft Rooms
•Hobby Car (drive under garages)
•Mini Racquet Ball Rooms
•Sport Courts
•Workshops
•ATV Storage (drive under)
•Boat Rooms
•Card Rooms
•Bedroom Suites
•Video Rooms
•Train/Hobby Rooms
•Golf Simulators
•Gun/Safe Rooms
•Storm Shelters
•Meeting Rooms

The list can become almost endless with the type of activities that our modern families have come to enjoy.