OUR FOUNDATIONAL PARTNERS
 
While the Home Builders Association of Greenville (www.hbaofgreenville.com) and Upstate Forever (www.upstateforever.org) are the major project sponsors, Upstate House & Woodland Garden wouldn’t be possible without the critical support of some core partners. Based upon differing roles and magnitude of support we’ve defined them as Foundational Partners and Supporting Partners, but all are vitally important.
City of Greenville: www.greatergreenville.com -- Greenville, South Carolina is emerging as one of the nation’s brightest examples of revitalization. A vibrant Main Street, booming downtown residential growth and an exciting parks program including Falls Park on the Reedy, are among the city’s outstanding attributes. Greenville leadership has been engaged in and supportive of Upstate House & Woodland Garden from the very beginning. The Community Development Division has been active from the standpoint of potential lessons and gains that EarthCraft House could yield for future low and moderate income housing initiatives while the Parks & Recreation Department is actively supporting “re-linking” the Pettigru Historic District (www.greatergreenville.com/neighborhoods/historic_districts.asp#pettigru) to Cleveland Park, (www.greatergreenville.com/city_services/parks_info.asp) the city’s oldest and largest park. Too, the native plant Woodland Garden offers the potential for another pearl in the necklace of natural and recreational features along the Reedy River corridor.
Johnston Design Group: www.johnstondesigngroup.com -- The Johnston Design Group is the architectural and creative design firm dedicated to environmentally sustainable design. Principal Scott Johnston was one of the first to “sign-on” noting that Upstate House fits squarely with his firm’s philosophy that “Through environmentally sustainable design, we transform our client's needs into lasting buildings and memorable places." Among the JDG staff intimately involved with the project are David Anderssen and Reginald McDonald.
Rome Construction: www.romecg.com -- Rome Construction Group is considered one of the most progressive residential remodelers and new home builders in the Upstate. Keith Rodgers, one of the firm’s principals, was the first builder in South Carolina to gain EarthCraft certification. He, along with his partner and wife Deborah, and co-principal, Jason Meadors, were early backers of Upstate House. They actually got a ahead of us all when they completed the state’s first spec house under the EarthCraft standard while we all wrestled with the complex partnership issues. Yet, they agree Upstate House is the first “official” EarthCraft House and the stimulus that brought EarthCraft to South Carolina!
PLATINUM SUPPORTING PARTNERS
We chose our Supporting Partners based upon a number of criteria. Among them that they: 1) shared our vision of the importance of more sustainable development, and 2) provided materials or services that were among the “best of class” in promoting the environmental and human health values being demonstrated in Upstate House.
Amana Heating & Air Conditioning -- www.amana-hac.com -- Amana is one of the best-known and respected names in the HVAC business. Now owned and operated by Goodman Manufacturing Company, LP, www.goodmanmfg.com we looked to Amana because of their performance, long-lasting reliability and efficiency. Both Goodman and Amana are distributed by East Coast Metal Distributors, Inc. www.ecmdi.com Amana is also an active EarthCraft House program sponsor.
BioBased Systems -- www.biobased.net -- BioBase 501 is the latest generation of spray-in insulating foam. It is a soybean-based polyurethane foam recognized by the National Association of Home Builders as their 2003 Outstanding Green Product of the Year. John Bissetta Enterprises, LLC, of Greenville is the BioBased Dealer for the Upstate. Bissetta joined BioBased as full partners in Upstate House with a quality installation job. Bissetta Enterprises -- 864-505-8592 .
EarthCraft House -- www.earthcrafthouse.org -& www.hbaofgreenville.com/earthcraft -- EarthCraft House is a voluntary green building program originally developed by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and Southface Institute. South Carolina is the first state beyond Georgia to formally adopt the EarthCraft House standard.
Earth Design – www.erthdsgn.com -- When choosing a landscape partner for the home and woodland garden we wanted one that specialized in natural design. Earth Design Inc. is a Landscape Architectural/Environmental design firm founded in 1996 by Fredrick (Rick) P. Huffman specializes in cost effective, environmentally responsible design solutions.
Georgia-Pacific Corporation – www.gp.com -- GP is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of building products. When it comes to wallboard they are the recognized name, but now they also lead the way in environmentally friendly products with the introduction of DensArmor ® Plus paperless wallboard with superior resistance to moisture and mold.
Greer Builders Supply – 105 Stewart Avenue, Greer, SC 29651 – GBS is one of the Upstate’s oldest independently-owned and operated building supply companies. Owner Mitch Harvey has been a tireless supporter of Upstate House and a fount of wisdom.
J. M. Huber Corporation – www.huberwood.com -- We chose Huber Engineered Woods LLC and the AdvanTech® Flooring because of the company’s recognized leadership in creating specialty wood composite products and the outstanding quality engineered from lower quality raw material.
James Hardie Building Products -- www.jameshardie.com -- has been manufacturing cement-based building products for more than 100 years. More than three million U.S. homes in a range of climates are constructed with Hardie's durable, low-maintenance, non-combustible products.
International Paper Company -- www.internationalpaper.com–IP is the world’s largest forest products company with operations in the Western Hemisphere, Europe, Asia and Africa. The company was one of the original crafters of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® Standard and one of the first to seek formal third-party certification of all its U.S. operations. While typically thought of as a paper company, IP is a major manufacturer of lumber and other wood products as well.
Marvin Windows & Doors – www.marvin.com -- Marvin Casemaster windows are of solid wood construction with a metal-clad exterior – a great mix of aesthetics and engineering. And the wood is SFI® certified. Marvin is a long-time EarthCraft House sponsor.
Norbord Inc. – www.norbord.com -- Norbord is one of the world’s largest producers of wood-based panelboard. Being environmentally friendly means sourcing products that are not only produced in ways that stretch resources and use low-grade raw materials, which is true for Norbord’s Oriented Strand Board (OSB), but in this case they are also an Upstate producer offering a locally-produced product.
Precision Roof Trusses – www.precisionrooftruss.com -- Based in Duncan, SC, the Southeast’s leading supplier of construction components. Trusses offer engineered strength and resource conservation in building.
Showplace Cabinets – www.showplacewood.com – Kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Manufacturers of fine cabinetry for the home, with a unique combination of value and selection. Greenville Dealer, Acadia Design Centre.
South Carolina Energy Office – www.energy.sc.gov -- The Energy Office is sponsoring all initial training and inspections for pilot EarthCraft House programs in the Upstate as well as Charleston. Too, they are providing a small grant to partially underwrite a solar hot water application.
Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) Program --www.aboutsfi.org–There are three major forest certification programs in North America. When specifying our wood product needs we opted to go with SFI® because it is based upon a comprehensive system of principles, objectives and performance measures developed by professional foresters, conservationists and scientists. Too, it is among the world’s largest forest certification programs and the one most available to the average consumer. Three SFI product producers – J.M. Huber, International Paper and Norbord are direct Upstate House partners as well.
VELUX – www.velux.com -- Four skylights add not only natural light and beauty but also natural ventilation for Upstate House. While VELUX is an international corporation it has manufacturing operations in Greenwood, SC, in the watershed of Richland Creek that abuts Upstate House.
Weyerhaeuser Company -- www.weyerhaeuser.com -- Weyerhaeuser, founded more than 100 years ago with a singular focus of managing timberlands, is today an international forest products company producing a wide range of building products and cellulose fibers, paper and packaging. Upstate House features two Weyerhaeuser products – one made from hardwood fibers and plastics (ChoiceDek®) and the other, Lyptus®, a premium plantation-grown hardwood from Brazil. For a direct link to these featured products -- www.weyerhaeuser.com/ourbusinesses/buildingproducts/buildingmaterials/ourproducts/ .
Whirlpool Corporation – www.whirlpool.com -- The name of quality in top-of-the-line home appliances and an Energy Star® Partner of the Year for 2005. All Upstate House kitchen and laundry appliances are Whirlpool products.
GOLD SUPPORTING PARTNERS
Acadia Design Centre -- www.acadiadesigncentre.com -- Kitchen and bathroom design. Like an art gallery, the Centre showcases Greenville’s best builders, remodelers, installers, architects, landscapers and interior designers. You will find everything you need for your home under our roof.
CertainTeed -- www.certainteed.com -- A leading U.S. manufacturer of low slope and steep slope roofing products for commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential roofing and waterproofing applications. With a 100 year history, they have established a solid reputation for quality, reliability, and technical innovation.
Duke Energy -- www.duke-energy.com -- Duke Energy is a leading energy company located in the Americas. Upstate House will be one of the more than two million Duke Power customers in the Carolinas. Duke’s commitment to conservation and renewable energy is highlighted by their support of the solar hot water heater.
Naturaland Trust – One of the oldest land trusts in South Carolina, Naturaland Trust has been working to protect the Palmetto State’s natural beauty since 1972. The trust’s founder, Tommy Wyche, is a principal in Wyche, Burgess, Parham & Freeman, P.A., another Upstate House partner – www.wyche.com -- which operates a statewide practice from offices overlooking the historic Reedy River falls.
The Palmetto Bank – www.palmettobank.com -- The third largest independent community bank based in
South Carolina, serving the Upstate since 1906.
Raymond K. Schneider, P.E., with the Department of Construction Science and Management at Clemson University serves as a project advisor.
Schneider Tree Care – www.schneidertree.com -- With a staff of 10 certified arborists and offices across the Upstate, Schneider Tree Care specializing in residential and commercial pruning, removals, lot clearing, stump removal, fertilization and ground decompaction.
Sherwin-Williams -- www.sherwin-williams.com -- founded in 1866 is one of the world's leading companies engaged in the manufacture, distribution and sale of coatings. Their new "GreenSure" label denotes paints that are environmentally-preferred.
Sims Group Consulting Engineers, P.A. – www.simsgroupusa.com -- Serving a five state area from offices in Asheville, Columbia and Greenville, Sims specializes in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, plumbing and electrical needs.
Solatube -- www.solatube.com -- Bring the radiance and brilliance of sunlight into your home or workplace with Solatube, The Miracle Skylight.
Southern Stone, Inc. -- http://southernstoneinc.com -- A family-owned business that in 1994 became the first manufactured stone installer in the Upstate. Services include fireplaces, chimneys, sidewalks, porches, steps and foundations in both natural and manufactured stone.
TOTO – www.totousa.com --- is a division of the world’s largest plumbing products manufacturer. TOTO offers complete luxury bathroom suites, faucets, accessories, shower sets, lavatories and Air Baths. With unmatched performance, innovation and design, TOTO truly is Luxury in Balance.
Vulcan Materials Company -- http://vulcanmaterials.com -- The nation's leading producer of construction aggregates: primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel.
SILVER SUPPORTING PARTNERS
Building Environmental Solutions -- www.buildingenvironmentalsolutions.com -- Its FortiCelproduct www.4PCG.com virtually eliminates mold on all construction materials and provides long-lasting protection against mold growth for 25 years. In SC call Michael at 864-505-6296.
Broome Sign Company, Scott Broome, Principal, 564 Woodruff Road, Greenville, SC 29607 – 864-288-8194
Carolina Borders -- www.carolina-borders.com -- Set-off your landscaping with beautiful, economical and durable borders in a wide range of colors and patterns. Contact Watson Smith at 864-386-6815.
Carolina Textraw -- www.syntheticstraw.com -- A synthetic "pine straw" manufactured from recycled polypropylene "saved" from landfills. Lasts for years, retains color without fading, does not absorb moisture or chemicals and maintains volume.
Chapman Surveying Co. Inc., Mack Chapman, Principal, 605 E Lee Road, Taylors, SC 29687– 864-322-7610
The Fire House Casual Living Store – www.fhcasual.com – providing a wide range of patio, wicker and fireplace needs. 601 Congaree Road, Greenville. 864-297-4470.
Ground Engineering Solutions – Located at 3534 Rutherford Road in Taylors, SC, 864-292-2901, Ground Engineering works to ensure that your construction project is truly on sound footing.
Hometeam Pest Defense® -- www.hometeamservices.com -- Whether for new construction or existing homes, Hometeam delivers innovative pest control and termite treatment products and services that provide protection with maximum convenience.
Kimberly Cole, Upstate House’s nearest property neighbor and former owner of the Upstate House building site
Eemax Inc. -- www.eemaxinc.com -- Providing Tankless electric hot water heaters
Harrison/Kohn, creator of the Upstate House logo
Organize It Inc. -- www.organizeitinc.com -- has been “helping organize life” in the Upstate since 1986. Visit the store at 626 Congaree Road, Greenville; or call 864-297-5223.
Paul Hughes & Richard Molten, former owners of the Woodland Garden property
Brad Majors, our original marketing advisor
Pinnacle Consulting Group – www.pincongrp.com -- an employee-owned environmental, planning and information technology company.
ProSource Plumbing -- www.prosourcesupply.com -- Whether you are searching for a traditional fixture or an ultramodern one, you'll find it in one of the most extensive showrooms in the Upstate.
The Robinson Company – www.therobinsonco.com -- One of the largest and most active real estate appraisal organizations in the state of South Carolina.
S&B Woodworks –The Upstate House front door is a hand-crafted work of art recycled from heart pine salvaged from an area textile mill. The artisan, Bob Ripley, plies his trade from 654 S. Main Street in Greenville’s Historic West End. 864-271-6871.
Superior Fencing and Decks -- David Trotter, datrotter@charter.net (864) 505-7800 can help with custom fences, decks and screened porch needs.
Tablerock Technologies, LLC – www.solarcart.com -- A leading innovator and distributor of solar products and technologies. |
