community & sustainability - Green Spur
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COMMUNITY & SUSTAINABILITY Efficient, Effective Energy with Clear Energy How Area Cities are Making Northwest Arkansas a Greener Place
also:
AUGUST 2016 $2.50 VALUE
BACK TO SCHOOL: Happy Kids Lunch and Bentonville’s Ignite Program STYLE FILE: Shop Local for Great Game Day Looks EATS & DRINKS: Black Apple Crossing in Springdale
L I V I N G S PA C E S | BY A D D I M c N E E L | P H O TO S BY J O E W I T T KO P
Black Apple C o m m u n i t y
BENTONVILLE POCKET COMMUNITY PROMOTES SUSTAINABILITY AND ENCOURAGES NEIGHBOR INTERACTION
PHOTO BY ALBERT TJOCLINTON
64 | CITISCAPES • AUGUST 2016
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lack Apple Community in Bentonville could be described in one word: conversational. As an ode to the pre-WWII housing communities where homes were scaled down in size with front porches all looking in to a central courtyard, the Black Apple Community encourages both sustainability and interacting with your neighbors. The pocket community was designed by GreenSpur, a boutique architect design firm based in Falls Church, Va. that focuses on sustainable developments, but the idea came from the daughter-in-law of Sam Walton. “We were approached by Christy Walton to look at building a pocket community in Arkansas a couple years ago and it seemed like a fun opportunity for us,” said GreenSpur founder Mark Turner.
WWW.CITISCAPES.COM | 65
L I V I N G S PA C E S
66 | CITISCAPES • AUGUST 2016
The entire community, which features 11 homes, is built on one acre. It is located right off the Bentonville bike trail and is just across the creek from Crystal Bridges Museum. According to Turner, pocket communities are designed to be small, not only for conservation and sustainability, but to encourage interaction as well. “You have to really work hard not to know your neighbors in this community,” Turner said. Glenn Mack, a resident of Black Apple Community, has been living in the neighborhood since New Year’s Eve. Mack said that he and his family have enjoyed getting to know their neighbors and are grateful that the community was built in a way to make that interaction easily achievable. “Black Apple is designed to foster engagement,” Mack said. “The main entrances and porches of each house face a communal courtyard and you can wave at the folks coming and going. Each family decides how much they wish to engage with their neighbors.” Turner said because of the small-scale homes in the neighborhood, sustainability is also a prominent feature and any energy used is highly efficient. “Some of these homes in the Black Apple Community are only about 800 square feet, which is very modest,” Turner said. “But they are built so that you don’t sacrifice too much in terms of quality of life. It might be small but it has tall ceilings and wide-open spaces and a nice kitchen. The maintenance and upkeep as opposed to a large house is really sustainable.”
Mack said his house heats up and cools down very quickly. He also said that, although the ductless HVAC system is modern in its energy efficiency, the house retains a farm-style, agrarian aesthetic. Director of design for GreenSpur, Zach Gasper, said that the construction process also played a role in the sustainability of the Black Apple houses. “The homes are built using prefabricated panels called SIPs,” Gasper said. “The foundation is also a prefabricated system that comes insulated. Both systems are thermally more efficient than a standard stick-framed home. They also can be assembled at much faster speeds.” WWW.CITISCAPES.COM | 67
L I V I N G S PA C E S
68 | CITISCAPES • AUGUST 2016
Not only is the community uncommon in terms of its size, sustainability and concept, but the aesthetic features are also unique to the area. The architecture of the houses features minimal, industrial designs but also has a rustic, farm-style concept incorporated in. “The style tips its hat to the Southern vernacular,” Gasper said. “The modern interiors give the homes the functionality that our lives require, and the farmhouse exteriors evoke a nostalgic sense of home, which I think a lot of people can relate to.” Turner also mentioned the differences in the aesthetic features of the houses and how they tie together to create something very different from other small-scale communities. “I think it is different than a lot of pocket communities because it has that historical, modern tension between it, which people appreciate as opposed to all modern or all traditional,” Turner said. “We use a lot of old barn wood inside with layers of new technology and old aesthetic features.”
Mack said he appreciates the minimal features of the houses in the pocket community and the way the neighborhood is designed for personal interaction. “It is stylish, streamlined and functional,” Mack said. “The best feature is the community dining area for hosting events and dinners, and the view of Crystal Bridges Museum is second to none.” WWW.CITISCAPES.COM | 69
L I V I N G S PA C E S
Gasper said he hopes that the Black Apple neighborhood will entice all demographics, because he believes diversity is important to foster a sense of community. “A strong community is built across generations,” Gasper said. “The trend for quite some time has been to isolate the elderly from the young and to separate singles from families. We believe a strong community is a diverse community. These homes were designed for empty nesters, millennials and families alike.” Mack’s wife, Asele Surina, said that for her family, Black Apple Community is a perfect fit, but it might not be for everyone. “I would recommend it to most people,” Surina said. “Those who enjoy interacting with the neighbors would enjoy it more than those who value privacy above all else. Also, it works better with people who prefer a minimalist lifestyle, cleanliness and simplicity. I think it would especially suit those new to the area, as it would help to get to know people faster. Those who value opportunities that this location offers would enjoy living in Black Apple tremendously.” ■
Community Common Area
Images shown are courtesy Black Apple Community. Staging of living spaces by interior designer Misty Martin-Dennis.
For more information, visit blackapplecommunity.com.
LEAD DESIGNER: MARK TURNER, GREENSPUR, FALLS CHURCH, VA. • GENERAL CONTRACTOR: MILESTONE CONSTRUCTION CO., SPRINGDALE • INTERIOR DESIGNERS: LEON GOETZ AND MARY BETH WILLIAMS, HOWSE, BENTONVILLE • INTERIOR DESIGNER: MISTY MARTIN-DENNIS, BLACK DOOR INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO, ROGERS APPLIANCES: METRO APPLIANCES & MORE, SPRINGDALE • CABINETS: MOODY CABINETS, BENTON, ARK. • COLORED CONCRETE WALKWAYS: ADVANCED CONCRETE SERVICES, INC., FAYETTEVILLE • CUSTOM FURNITURE: ECOVET FURNITURE CO., ROGERS • DOORS AND WINDOWS: MEEK’S LUMBER, FAYETTEVILLE AND SPRINGDALE • ELECTRICIAN: GRAJEDA ELECTRIC, ROGERS • FLOORING: ARC2 FLOORING SERVICES, ROGERS • GRANITE AND MARBLE: NATIONAL MARBLE & GRANITE, SPRINGDALE • INSULATION: G & S INSULATING, SPRINGDALE • LANDSCAPING: FRANK SHARUM LANDSCAPING & DESIGN, SPRINGDALE • LIGHTING: ENCORE FLOORING & BUILDING PRODUCTS, SPRINGDALE; RESTORATION HARDWARE, ONLINE • METAL ROOFING: CENTRAL STATES MANUFACTURING, LOWELL • MIRRORS AND SHOWER DOORS: FAYETTEVILLE GLASS • PAINTING: CHUCK’S PAINT SERVICES, SPRINGDALE • PLUMBER: QUALITY PLUMBING & BACKFLOW SERVICES, INC., LOWELL • PLUMBING FIXTURES: FERGUSON, SPRINGDALE; BUILD.COM, ONLINE • SPIRAL STAIRCASE: STI CONSULTING, SPRINGDALE • STEEL CABLE RAILING: RAZORBACK IRONWORKS, FAYETTEVILLE
HOME PROS USED
70 | CITISCAPES • AUGUST 2016
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P L A C E S
•
E V E N T S
F O O D
•
F U N
COMMUNITY & SUSTAINABILITY Efficient, Effective Energy with Clear Energy How Area Cities are Making Northwest Arkansas a Greener Place
also:
AUGUST 2016 $2.50 VALUE
BACK TO SCHOOL: Happy Kids Lunch and Bentonville’s Ignite Program STYLE FILE: Shop Local for Great Game Day Looks EATS & DRINKS: Black Apple Crossing in Springdale
L I V I N G S PA C E S | BY A D D I M c N E E L | P H O TO S BY J O E W I T T KO P
Black Apple C o m m u n i t y
BENTONVILLE POCKET COMMUNITY PROMOTES SUSTAINABILITY AND ENCOURAGES NEIGHBOR INTERACTION
PHOTO BY ALBERT TJOCLINTON
64 | CITISCAPES • AUGUST 2016
B
lack Apple Community in Bentonville could be described in one word: conversational. As an ode to the pre-WWII housing communities where homes were scaled down in size with front porches all looking in to a central courtyard, the Black Apple Community encourages both sustainability and interacting with your neighbors. The pocket community was designed by GreenSpur, a boutique architect design firm based in Falls Church, Va. that focuses on sustainable developments, but the idea came from the daughter-in-law of Sam Walton. “We were approached by Christy Walton to look at building a pocket community in Arkansas a couple years ago and it seemed like a fun opportunity for us,” said GreenSpur founder Mark Turner.
WWW.CITISCAPES.COM | 65
L I V I N G S PA C E S
66 | CITISCAPES • AUGUST 2016
The entire community, which features 11 homes, is built on one acre. It is located right off the Bentonville bike trail and is just across the creek from Crystal Bridges Museum. According to Turner, pocket communities are designed to be small, not only for conservation and sustainability, but to encourage interaction as well. “You have to really work hard not to know your neighbors in this community,” Turner said. Glenn Mack, a resident of Black Apple Community, has been living in the neighborhood since New Year’s Eve. Mack said that he and his family have enjoyed getting to know their neighbors and are grateful that the community was built in a way to make that interaction easily achievable. “Black Apple is designed to foster engagement,” Mack said. “The main entrances and porches of each house face a communal courtyard and you can wave at the folks coming and going. Each family decides how much they wish to engage with their neighbors.” Turner said because of the small-scale homes in the neighborhood, sustainability is also a prominent feature and any energy used is highly efficient. “Some of these homes in the Black Apple Community are only about 800 square feet, which is very modest,” Turner said. “But they are built so that you don’t sacrifice too much in terms of quality of life. It might be small but it has tall ceilings and wide-open spaces and a nice kitchen. The maintenance and upkeep as opposed to a large house is really sustainable.”
Mack said his house heats up and cools down very quickly. He also said that, although the ductless HVAC system is modern in its energy efficiency, the house retains a farm-style, agrarian aesthetic. Director of design for GreenSpur, Zach Gasper, said that the construction process also played a role in the sustainability of the Black Apple houses. “The homes are built using prefabricated panels called SIPs,” Gasper said. “The foundation is also a prefabricated system that comes insulated. Both systems are thermally more efficient than a standard stick-framed home. They also can be assembled at much faster speeds.” WWW.CITISCAPES.COM | 67
L I V I N G S PA C E S
68 | CITISCAPES • AUGUST 2016
Not only is the community uncommon in terms of its size, sustainability and concept, but the aesthetic features are also unique to the area. The architecture of the houses features minimal, industrial designs but also has a rustic, farm-style concept incorporated in. “The style tips its hat to the Southern vernacular,” Gasper said. “The modern interiors give the homes the functionality that our lives require, and the farmhouse exteriors evoke a nostalgic sense of home, which I think a lot of people can relate to.” Turner also mentioned the differences in the aesthetic features of the houses and how they tie together to create something very different from other small-scale communities. “I think it is different than a lot of pocket communities because it has that historical, modern tension between it, which people appreciate as opposed to all modern or all traditional,” Turner said. “We use a lot of old barn wood inside with layers of new technology and old aesthetic features.”
Mack said he appreciates the minimal features of the houses in the pocket community and the way the neighborhood is designed for personal interaction. “It is stylish, streamlined and functional,” Mack said. “The best feature is the community dining area for hosting events and dinners, and the view of Crystal Bridges Museum is second to none.” WWW.CITISCAPES.COM | 69
L I V I N G S PA C E S
Gasper said he hopes that the Black Apple neighborhood will entice all demographics, because he believes diversity is important to foster a sense of community. “A strong community is built across generations,” Gasper said. “The trend for quite some time has been to isolate the elderly from the young and to separate singles from families. We believe a strong community is a diverse community. These homes were designed for empty nesters, millennials and families alike.” Mack’s wife, Asele Surina, said that for her family, Black Apple Community is a perfect fit, but it might not be for everyone. “I would recommend it to most people,” Surina said. “Those who enjoy interacting with the neighbors would enjoy it more than those who value privacy above all else. Also, it works better with people who prefer a minimalist lifestyle, cleanliness and simplicity. I think it would especially suit those new to the area, as it would help to get to know people faster. Those who value opportunities that this location offers would enjoy living in Black Apple tremendously.” ■
Community Common Area
Images shown are courtesy Black Apple Community. Staging of living spaces by interior designer Misty Martin-Dennis.
For more information, visit blackapplecommunity.com.
LEAD DESIGNER: MARK TURNER, GREENSPUR, FALLS CHURCH, VA. • GENERAL CONTRACTOR: MILESTONE CONSTRUCTION CO., SPRINGDALE • INTERIOR DESIGNERS: LEON GOETZ AND MARY BETH WILLIAMS, HOWSE, BENTONVILLE • INTERIOR DESIGNER: MISTY MARTIN-DENNIS, BLACK DOOR INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO, ROGERS APPLIANCES: METRO APPLIANCES & MORE, SPRINGDALE • CABINETS: MOODY CABINETS, BENTON, ARK. • COLORED CONCRETE WALKWAYS: ADVANCED CONCRETE SERVICES, INC., FAYETTEVILLE • CUSTOM FURNITURE: ECOVET FURNITURE CO., ROGERS • DOORS AND WINDOWS: MEEK’S LUMBER, FAYETTEVILLE AND SPRINGDALE • ELECTRICIAN: GRAJEDA ELECTRIC, ROGERS • FLOORING: ARC2 FLOORING SERVICES, ROGERS • GRANITE AND MARBLE: NATIONAL MARBLE & GRANITE, SPRINGDALE • INSULATION: G & S INSULATING, SPRINGDALE • LANDSCAPING: FRANK SHARUM LANDSCAPING & DESIGN, SPRINGDALE • LIGHTING: ENCORE FLOORING & BUILDING PRODUCTS, SPRINGDALE; RESTORATION HARDWARE, ONLINE • METAL ROOFING: CENTRAL STATES MANUFACTURING, LOWELL • MIRRORS AND SHOWER DOORS: FAYETTEVILLE GLASS • PAINTING: CHUCK’S PAINT SERVICES, SPRINGDALE • PLUMBER: QUALITY PLUMBING & BACKFLOW SERVICES, INC., LOWELL • PLUMBING FIXTURES: FERGUSON, SPRINGDALE; BUILD.COM, ONLINE • SPIRAL STAIRCASE: STI CONSULTING, SPRINGDALE • STEEL CABLE RAILING: RAZORBACK IRONWORKS, FAYETTEVILLE
HOME PROS USED
70 | CITISCAPES • AUGUST 2016
