Greensburg GreenTown | 402 S. Sycamore St. Greensburg, KS | 620.723.2790 | www.greensburggreentown.org | [email protected]
The Chain of Eco-Homes | Meadowlark House
Greensburg GreenTown | Our Story
Meadowlark House
Chain of Eco-Homes
Greensburg GreenTown | 402 S. Sycamore St. Greensburg, KS | 620.723.2790
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Framing issues of energy efficiency and the
environment in non-political and easily
understood language
Managing hundreds of thousands of
dollars of volunteer work hours and in-kind
contributions
Constructing the foundation for a new
eco-tourism economy by offering Green
Tours of the community and Eco-lodging to
visitors through our Chain of Eco-Homes project
Encouraging and supporting residents,
business owners and governmental enti-
ties to utilize their resources efficiently and
sustainably as they build for the future
Carrying out a major role in helping the
Green Initiative gain visibility in national
and international media
Building partnerships with individuals,
businesses and groups who are interested
in investing in GreenTown projects
Educating residents and visitors about
sustainable building techniques, technolo-
gies, and green living practices
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On May 4, 2007 the community of Greensburg, Kansas was destroyed by a powerful EF-5
tornado, one of the largest ever recorded. Shortly after the storm, the people of Greensburg
made the decision to rebuild as a national model for eco-friendly building practices and
sustainable living. Greensburg GreenTown is a 501(c)(3) grassroots nonprofit organization
that formed within days after the tornado and works daily with the local community to
realize their vision of becoming a model town for a sustainable future. Greensburg has
become an inspirational story of ordinary Americans making extraordinary strides in
sustainability.
While GreenTown is a private nonprofit, we maintain an official relationship with the City of
Greensburg and continue to work closely with them in a variety of capacities.
Important areas of work we are involved in include:
Chain of Eco-Homes | Design Competition
Meadowlark House | Grand Prize Winner
- Steven Learner Studio
Root/Breathe/Endure | First Runner Up
- Stuttio Workshop
Linear Villa | Second Runner Up
- Daniel Day Studio Daniel Day Studio
www.greensburggreentown.org
Over 150 Entries
Participants from 38 states and 13 countries
World renowned jury
Three dynamic rounds of judging
Cisco Systems telepresence conferencing
technology, supported by AT&T, connected
participants from around the country
1 grand prize winner, 2 runners-up
Greensburg is an inspirational story of ordinary Americans making extraordinary strides in
sustainability. That’s why we at Greensburg GreenTown and our partners at FreeGreen.com
invited designers and architects from around the world to participate in a competition in
2009. Over 150 teams from 38 states and 13 countries entered to help us find seemingly ordi-
nary homes that act in extraordinarily green ways. The competition participants were chal-
lenged with the following:
The winning design, The Meadowlark House designed by Steven Learner Studio, is now in
the works to become the next GreenTown Eco-Home!
Competition Highlights:
Think outside of conventional 2x4 construction and incorporate one
of three innovative wall systems: HIB-System, Virginia Lime Works
EMU or Amvic ICF.
Uphold the goals of The Chain of Eco-Homes Project by designing a
home that exhibits sustainable techniques and can function as an
educational center and eco-tourism destination.
Create a financially accessible home for the average American hom-
eowner by keeping the buildable design cost under $110/SF.
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Meadowlark House
Street view Garden view
Interior view Interior view
Meadowlark House
Chain of Eco-Homes
Greensburg GreenTown | 402 S. Sycamore St. Greensburg, KS | 620.723.2790
The Meadowlark House was designed as a sustainable
prototype a growing family with a modest budget
could afford. The result is a compact yet spatially
dynamic home for contemporary living, with an eye
towards the future. The home’s central function is to
serve as an educational tool to demonstrate affordable
green building practices and living techniques. It will
feature the latest in sustainable products as well as
showcase emerging technologies we hope to see in
homes all across America. This includes harnessing the
sun’s abundant solar energy to provide heat, generate
electricity through the aid of solar panels, and heat
domestic water with a solar water heater. Cooling
needs will be provided through natural ventilation and
the use of an energy recovery ventilator, an energy
saving alternative to air conditioning. Innovative and
first-of-its-kind construction practices include the use
of the Passive House US rating program and the
prefabricated HIB-System for exterior walls. State-of-
the-art appliances and other features will make this
home an exciting showcase of “the future today”.
Features Include:
“Being a part of the Chain of Eco-Homes competition in Greens-burg was a thrill for us. Building the first North American HIB-System home under the Passive House standard in Greensburg, KS is not only a huge commitment from GreenTown but also a clear sign that the landscape in the North American building industry is continuing to evolve.”
-Jan Hoetzel, HIB-System Representative
Built to Passive House US standards
Modular wood block wall system
Passive heating & cooling
High level of insulation
Powered by solar panels
Energy recovery ventilator
Rainwater collection
Solar water heater
Natural ventilation
Solar carport
Dining Room
Kitchen
Bedroom
BedroomBedroom
Living Room
InnovationMeadowlark House will display
the latest in a variety of excit-
ing and innovative sustainable
construction products and
practices. Our plan is to
achieve a net-zero energy
home through the use of
passive solar design for heat-
ing and cooling needs, solar
panels for electricity needs,
and a solar water heater for
domestic hot water needs. An
electric vehicle will even be
charged under a solar carport!
Meadowlark House will be built to Passive House
specifications: a rigorous, voluntary building standard
for energy efficient buildings. Combining state-of-
the-art technology with old-fashioned quality
construction, the result will be a very well-insulated,
virtually air-tight building that requires little energy for
heating and cooling saving up to 90% of energy costs
compared to an average home. There are currently 10
other certified projects in the United States, with 19
projects pre-certified and 27 in the planning stage.
Meadowlark House has been pre-certified and will be
one of the first Passive House projects in the State of
Kansas.
What is a Passive House?
Meadowlark House utilizes an award winning innovative, prefabricated
wood block wall system popular in Europe but new to the US market. The
100% biodegradable toxin-free wood blocks provide excellent insulation
qualities, extreme sound dampening, and are structurally able to with-
stand the high winds of southwestern Kansas. The HIB-System is a virtually
problem free, self-build system. The pre-
manufactured blocks are shipped ready-to-
assemble and are easily handled without the
need for expensive lifting devices. They quickly
and easily lock into each other in a “Lego” style
operation saving time and money. This will be
the first project in the U.S. to use this innova-
tive and organic wall system.
What is the HIB-System?
ego style
his will be
s innova-
Kansas. tive and organic wall system.
www.greensburggreentown.org
Chain of Eco-Homes |Silo Home
Meadowlark House
Chain of Eco-Homes
Greensburg GreenTown | 402 S. Sycamore St. Greensburg, KS | 620.723.2790
2 kW solar panel
Energy monitoring
Instantaneous hot -
water heater
Intensive green roof
Rainwater collection
High efficiency heat pump
Bamboo flooring
Dual-flush toilets
Recycled glass countertops
High-efficiency windows
Reclaimed kitchen cabinets
Green Visitors Center
Resource Center for Community
Over 60 Individual Private & Corporate Donors
Over $250,000 of Capital Invested
The Chain of Eco-Homes Project plans to build as
many as 12 homes designed to be “Living Laborato-
ries” featuring a variety of building techniques, sizes,
prices, and energy efficiency features. Each home
will serve both as an informational center and as
eco-lodging where people can experience green
living first hand. This is the first such project in the
nation and is key to further developing an eco-
tourism industry in Greensburg.
The Silo Home was the first to be completed in the
Chain of Eco-Homes and houses a bed and breakfast
suite, the local Green Visitors Center, and the admin-
istrative office for GreenTown. Designed and
constructed in partnership with Armour Homes, the
round concrete form is designed to withstand
sustained winds over 200 mph and visually relates to
the grain elevator located just 5 blocks north of us -
one of the few structures to survive the storm.
Features Include:
Funding Opportunities
Donations to Date:
Donor Menu:
Meadowlark House
Chain of Eco-Homes
Greensburg GreenTown | 402 S. Sycamore St. Greensburg, KS | 620.723.2790
We intend to focus on sustainability, affordability and innovation as the main themes in this project. If you manufacture or sell a product along
these lines, we would be interested in visiting with you about sponsorship opportunities. This is an excellent marketing opportunity to promote
your product and receive direct exposure to the thousands of visitors who pass through Greensburg every year. Sponsors can also contribute
services such as labor, or provide direct monetary contributions that can be applied to the project in a variety of capacities. The Meadowlark House
offers many exciting opportunities for an individual or company to get involved and we offer an array of benefits. Join this rapidly growing list of
sponsors already involved in the Meadowlark House today!
Do you have a product or service for Mead-
owlark House not listed and are interested in
joining this exciting project? Please contact
us at 620-723-2790 to discuss the possibility
of your donation. There are many exciting
projects GreenTown is working on if Mead-
owlark House is not a perfect fit for you. Con-
tact us today to find out more!
Construction & Operations
HIB Modular Wood Block
Appliances & Electronics
$100,000
$50,000
$25,000
$175,000 +
Raymond C. & Anna T. Johnson Foundation | Macomb, MI
HIB-Systems PLC | Meissenheim, GER
LG Electronics | Englewood Cliffs, NJ
Item: Donor: Donation Value:
Total Donation Value to Date:
Kitchen
Living room
Bathrooms
Dining room
Bedrooms
Landscaping
Laundry/Recycle room
$25,000
$25,000
$25,000
$20,000
$20,000
$15,000
$10,000
Room Sponsor*:
Donation amounts are calculated based on the sum of cash and the
wholesale value of goods donated to the project
*Sponsors will receive naming rights for rooms with donation value of
$25,000 or more
Donation Value:
Core Sponsor: $60,000+
Flooring
Insulation
Lighting
Windows
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
Product Sponsor: Donation Value:
Solar carport
Alternative Energy
Electrical
Plumbing
Heating & Cooling
Siding
Roof
Water Collection
$60,000
$25,000
$15,000
$15,000
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
System Sponsor*: Donation Value:
Sponsor Program
www.greensburggreentown.org
In addition to the unique opportunity to be involved in a one-of-a-kind project being followed closely by individuals and media the world over,
our partners in the Meadowlark House project will receive the following benefits. (All benefits available cover a minimum of two years)
Advertising space in Mother Earth News or Natural Home maga-zine, commensurate with donation value
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Free stay in one of our Eco-Lodging destinations or oppor-tunity to host private event in one of our facilities
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Product and/or company materials displayed in our Green Visitor Center
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Name recognition in GreenTown press releases, newsletter, Meadowlark House media coverage and naming rights for a room or system
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Company logo displayed on construction signage•
Company or product displayed in home with dedicated signage explaining sustainable benefits
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Your company included on two page spread in Green Builder Magazine feature article
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Representation in Meadowlark House materials, including printed and digital brochure, commensurate with donation value
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Dedicated blog entry about your donation on our website and Facebook page
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Detailed representation of donation and product on Mead-owlark page of our website
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Benefit: Bronze Level:$1,000 to $4,999
Silver Level:$5,000 to $9,999
Gold Level:$10,000 to $24,999
Platinum Level:$25,000 or more
Media Coverage
Meadowlark House
Chain of Eco-Homes
Greensburg GreenTown | 402 S. Sycamore St. Greensburg, KS | 620.723.2790 | www.greensburggreentown.org | [email protected]
Greensburg has captured the attention of the media and the imagination of the world. Our comeback, and the idea of turning adversity into some-thing positive, is a story for our time. The story is uplifting, inspiring and a beacon of hope. One of GreenTown's most important roles has been to help media representatives understand the scope and importance of the Green Initiative as it applies to Greensburg. Below is a sampling of news organizations that have covered our story since the community made the decision to rebuild green.
“...Greensburg has managed to dramatically rebuild while also becoming an example for sustainable communities everywhere. And, with projects like the upcoming Chain of Eco-Homes that will study the most effective and comfortable ways of eco-friendly living, Greensburg shows no sign of stopping anytime soon.”
-National Geographic
“Eco-tourism will be our primary economic engine for a while, as we try to attract new industry. We want this to be a place where people can come and expe-rience environmentally sustainable living.”
-Daniel Wallach, GreenTownfounder and Executive Director,as quoted in The New York Times
“...Greensburg is taking its name to heart and striving to become a green community of the future. City and county officials, residents and business owners are leading by example, making Greens-burg a national model for environmen-tally conscious living.”
-CNN
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