How did Upstate House come about?

Isn’t it odd for an environmental non-profit and
a builders association to partner in a project?

Couldn’t you have just built the demonstration
house without the complex partnership?

You say that Upstate House is not only a
demonstration project, but also a fundraiser.  Please explain.

Is there an education component to the project?

How did Upstate House come about?
Shortly after Upstate Forever was chartered as a not-for-profit, Carlton Owen, one of the organization’s charter board members, suggested the idea of doing something positive to show what was meant by “sensible growth.”  That simple suggestion led to a five-year journey, the mobilization of a multi-dimensional partnership and the launch of South Carolina’s first voluntary green residential building standard. Back to Top

Isn’t it odd for an environmental non-profit and a builders association to partner in a project?
It may be odd but it is the type of creativity and commitment necessary if we are to face our increasingly complex challenges as a society.  After Upstate Forever and the Home Builders Association of Greenville successfully partnered in sponsoring a conference on Affordable Housing it was only natural (that doesn’t equate to easy) to take the partnership to the next level. Back to Top

Couldn’t you have just built the demonstration house without the complex partnership?
While Upstate House could have been more easily built by the owner simply contracting with a single builder it wouldn’t have led to what we hope are growing and lasting changes in the broader residential development occurring throughout the Upstate.  The added time necessary to develop the multi-dimensional partnerships and solicit specific project partners were critical to sharing the vision for a more environmentally friendly type of development.  As a result Upstate House is the lead project in bringing EarthCraft House to South Carolina and in sharing the vision with state and city governments and a host of corporate partners. Back to Top

You say that Upstate House is not only a demonstration project, but also a fundraiser.  Please explain.
In concert with Johnston Design Group and Rome Construction the Owen’s established a target price based on market conditions for Upstate House.  As vendors provide their products as donations or at deep discounts, this allows a “margin” between the cost of the house and the ultimate purchase price.  That margin will be shared between Upstate Forever and the Home Builders Association of Greenville with a full 60% going toward an education/promotion fund for the EarthCraft House program in the Upstate. Back to Top

Is there an education component to the project?
Yes, there are several.  This website and the on-going weblog will aid others wishing to build a “green” or more environmentally friendly home by sharing lessons on products and experiences.  Additionally, with the aid of Clemson University’s Department of Construction Science and Management we will expose a number of students to the EarthCraft standard and specific technologies.  Local media – specifically the Greenville News and the Greenville Journal are reviewing serial approaches to following the project.  Lastly, the Owen’s have agreed to sponsor periodic open houses for up to a year following the project’s completion for builders, architects and other interested citizens to learn from their experiences. Back to Top