High-Performance Utah Home Wins 2014 Gold Nugget Grand Award for Best Zero Net Energy Design

IRVINE, CA – July 28, 2014 – Award-winning national firm KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture + Planning, is pleased to announce that Bellasol (known as "The Zero Home") in Herriman, Utah, received the Gold Nugget Grand Award for the Best Zero Net Energy Design. The Gold Nugget Awards program, presented by PCBC, recognizes "those who improve our communities through exceptional concepts in design, planning and development."

Designed by KTGY and built by Garbett Homes, The Zero Home is located in the master-planned community of Rosecrest in Herriman in Garbett Homes' Bellasol community. The homes in Bellasol are the first Climate 5 net-zero "smart homes" to achieve a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) of "-1." Bellasol was also the first in Utah to receive the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Challenge Home certification, which recognizes home builders for their leadership constructing zero-energy ready homes that are both energy efficient and include high-end finishes, improved indoor air quality, and greater durability. The self-sufficient homes, which are also Energy Star certified, are solar-powered by a 10.29 Kilowatt Solar Photovoltaic Energy System and equipped with Vivint's smart home technology and Vivint Solar's energy array. Each home will generate its own energy, offsetting most or all of the homeowners' utility bills.

"It is an honor to receive this award amongst the many distinguished projects," said KTGY Associate Principal Bill Ramsey, AIA, LEED AP. "We have worked with Garbett Homes for more than five years and we are committed to our client's success and developing sustainable new housing throughout the country."

Ramsey accepted the award on behalf of KTGY and Garbett Homes at the PCBC Show on June 26 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Calif. This year, the 51st annual Gold Nugget Award program, received nearly 600 submittals. According to a statement from the Gold Nugget judges, "This project is a winner. It set out to accomplish some important goals and did the homework necessary to make it happen. The builder 'bought in' to the process of careful methodical research in order to achieve Zero Net Energy, not just on one house but all of the homes. They turned their design efforts and research into a real project that will serve as an example for many in the home building industry. The judges congratulate them for their vision and hard work."

The first model Zero Home was quickly purchased and Garbett Homes has since completed a new model, which incorporates a Green Learning Center. Visitors can tour the center and view a deconstructed section of The Zero Home that showcases Garbett Homes' energy-saving features, including spray foam and blown-in insulation, low-E windows, compact fluorescent lighting, super high-efficiency HVAC systems, a HEPA air filtration system, solar water heating, dual-flush toilets and low-flow faucets. Vivint's real-time energy analytics technology, which allows homeowners to monitor and adjust the home's energy usage, is also on display.

Additionally, for the second year in a row, the Salt Lake Home Builders Association has selected The Zero Home at Bellasol as one of its featured homes in its Salt Lake Parade of Homes 2014, from August 1-16.

The Zero Home is located in the Rosecrest master-planned community, which encompasses over 2,500 acres of rolling-foothills and valleys in a quiet setting with panoramic views. Bellasol residents can enjoy over ten miles of improved trails, open spaces, and a lake to support their active lifestyle. Bellasol'a Zero Home offers four floor plans to choose from ranging from three to five bedrooms, two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half bathrooms and a four-car garage, including a charging station for an electric vehicle. Bellasol's Zero Home is priced in-line with other homes in the area based on the price per square foot. Home buyers can purchase a net zero home starting in the low $500,000s.

According to Ramsey, Garbett Homes started with 17 lots in Rosecrest in August 2013, and now the company has 12 lots remaining. Garbett has an option on 15 more lots, which Garbett Homes plans to take. The sales office for Bellasol is located at 5039 West (approximately 14900 South) Ambermont Drive in Herriman, Utah. For more information about The Zero Home, please visit the link provided below.

About Garbett Homes: Garbett Homes has been building, marketing and selling award-winning communities for over 30 years. Garbett Homes strives to offer the most up-to-date technology and innovative designs in comfortable and functional homes. They are committed to Green Building Practices and constantly look for new ways to improve in every aspect of energy efficiency, sustainability and environmental responsibility. Garbett Homes has built over 4,000 homes and apartments in more than 30 communities in the United States and Mexico. For more information, please visit the link provided below.

About KTGY Group  : Celebrating nearly 23 years, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture + Planning, is a national award-winning firm providing comprehensive planning and award-winning architectural design services for residential communities, retail, hospitality, mixed-use and related specialty developments. KTGY delivers innovative solutions that reflect clear understanding of development, market and consumer trends, and financial performance. KTGY serves clients worldwide with offices in Irvine, Oakland and Santa Monica, Calif., Denver, Colo., and Tysons, Va. For more information, please use the contact information and link provided below.