"We are building a dream community, not dream homes." That was our mantra when we were building Heartwood 25 years ago. It helped keep us focused on creating a great community and not becoming distracted by obsessing over our individual homes. Although our priority was and still is creating a dream community, we love our Phase 1 homes and are building even better homes in Phase 2.
The Phase 1 homes turned out amazingly well. Phase 1 homeowners love them and rave about them. Check out our Phase 1 Homeowner Testimonials webpage. Phase 2 homes will meet the high quality standards of the Phase 1 homes plus they will benefit from the latest environmentally friendly home construction technologies and more fire resistant building materials. The new Phase 2 homes will be so environmentally friendly that they will be certified under the Department of Energy's Zero Energy Ready Homes Program.
Choose a Floor Plan to Fit Your Life
With insightful input from our current committed Phase 2 Homebuyers and lessons learned from having lived in our Phase 1 homes for 25 years, our architect, Matt Worswick, has designed two beautiful home models for Phase 2 to suit a wide range of needs and types of households. Learn more about Matt in the Passive Solar section below. Click on the name of home model to see details:
We are offering the Ponderosa with an unfinished basement included as part of the standard price or with two finished basement options for an additional charge. The finished basement options come with a separate entrance so the basement can be permitted as an ADU. See more on ADU's on our Phase 2 FAQ webpage. Basements create relatively economical additional space for storage and future flexibility because we build them dry, full height, and with lots of natural daylighting. See more info in the sections below on Passive Solar and Flexible Functionality.
The Phase 1 homes turned out amazingly well. Phase 1 homeowners love them and rave about them. Check out our Phase 1 Homeowner Testimonials webpage. Phase 2 homes will meet the high quality standards of the Phase 1 homes plus they will benefit from the latest environmentally friendly home construction technologies and more fire resistant building materials. The new Phase 2 homes will be so environmentally friendly that they will be certified under the Department of Energy's Zero Energy Ready Homes Program.
Choose a Floor Plan to Fit Your Life
With insightful input from our current committed Phase 2 Homebuyers and lessons learned from having lived in our Phase 1 homes for 25 years, our architect, Matt Worswick, has designed two beautiful home models for Phase 2 to suit a wide range of needs and types of households. Learn more about Matt in the Passive Solar section below. Click on the name of home model to see details:
We are offering the Ponderosa with an unfinished basement included as part of the standard price or with two finished basement options for an additional charge. The finished basement options come with a separate entrance so the basement can be permitted as an ADU. See more on ADU's on our Phase 2 FAQ webpage. Basements create relatively economical additional space for storage and future flexibility because we build them dry, full height, and with lots of natural daylighting. See more info in the sections below on Passive Solar and Flexible Functionality.
Quality in Every Detail
Because we are building these homes for ourselves and not an anonymous customer, they will be well built to the core, not just superficially so they sell fast. The homes will not be luxurious, but they will have very high quality where it matters. They will be ZERH certified, meaning they will be super energy efficient, all-electric, well insulated, and passive solar, with extremely high air quality. We are using high end insulated drain board so the basements will be warm and dry. A Zehnder ERV comes standard with each home. We considered providing a good ERV at about half the cost, but our green homebuilder insisted that the Zehnder is the best on the market and makes a big difference in creating a comfortable and healthy living environment. The standard windows are top of the line in terms of energy efficiency, with an optional upgrade to a more beautiful wood window package. The homes will be some of the most fire resistant homes available. The homes are also designed for future flexibility — solar panel ready, wood stove ready, standard basement drains, etc. A lot of thought and care went into the designs and selections throughout.
As the Project Manager for Phase 1, Mac Thomson oversaw the construction of the Phase 1 homes. He is again Project Manager for Phase 2. Being one of Heartwood's original burning souls, he is in it for the long haul, committed to making sure his new Phase 2 neighbors have exceptional quality homes to live in, just like the Phase 1 homes. Check out these testimonials from Phase 1 homeowners.
Guaranteed Home and Carport Prices
Despite the volatile times we live in, when you enter a Home Purchase Contract, your home and carport prices will be locked in. We are able to do this because our builder has pre-ordered many of our building materials and because he and Tara Development (Mac's development entity) are willing to absorb the remaining potential cost fluctuations. The prices shown above are guaranteed for now, but with ongoing construction cost escalations, we will periodically reevaluate our home and carport prices and increase as needed. So if you enter a Home Purchase Contract sooner rather than later, your prices will be those shown above. Learn more on our Phase 2 Homebuyer Commitment webpage.
Zero Energy Ready Homes
All Phase 2 homes will be certified under the Department of Energy's Zero Energy Ready Homes program. Check out our Zero Energy Ready Homes webpage for complete info.
Thick, well insulated walls and ceiling, high quality and energy efficient windows, and tight construction techniques create a building envelope that maintains a comfortable indoor temperature, allowing for a very efficient air source heat pump to do the heating and cooling. Phase 2 homes will be net zero ready, meaning they will be all-electric and ready for installation of rooftop photovoltaic systems.
Homes can be opened to let in cool evening breezes or closed up for privacy and comfort. Besides low heating bills, air source heat pumps provide the ability to cool the home in the summer. That is rarely needed here at our 7000' elevation, but might be nice on exceptionally hot days or in case of wildfire smoke or allergens.
In addition to being Zero Energy Ready certified, the Phase 2 homes will be built consistent with Passive Home and Pretty Good House design principles.
Thick, well insulated walls and ceiling, high quality and energy efficient windows, and tight construction techniques create a building envelope that maintains a comfortable indoor temperature, allowing for a very efficient air source heat pump to do the heating and cooling. Phase 2 homes will be net zero ready, meaning they will be all-electric and ready for installation of rooftop photovoltaic systems.
Homes can be opened to let in cool evening breezes or closed up for privacy and comfort. Besides low heating bills, air source heat pumps provide the ability to cool the home in the summer. That is rarely needed here at our 7000' elevation, but might be nice on exceptionally hot days or in case of wildfire smoke or allergens.
In addition to being Zero Energy Ready certified, the Phase 2 homes will be built consistent with Passive Home and Pretty Good House design principles.
Exceptional Value
By building at scale and prioritizing quality and cost efficiency, we are able to build higher quality homes at a lower cost than a person could do on their own. Building 14 homes at the same time results in an efficient, streamlined process.
Clustering our homes and sharing 350 acres of open space means that you get access to all that land at a fraction of the cost of buying your own large acreage.
Ever since Covid, demand for Heartwood homes has been exceptionally strong. The worst of Covid seems to be behind us, but remote work is here to stay. There will likely be a continuing strong market for homes in the Rocky Mountain West making them a good investment.
There are no true apples to apples home price comparisons with Heartwood. No other local neighborhoods offer the amenities we have here at Heartwood. Not many homes are built to ZERH certification standards. Most homes come with garages, different finishes, and may be closer to Durango. And, of course, no other neighborhoods offer the close-knit community culture that a pedestrian-first cohousing design creates. Given all that, the table below shows the price per square foot of other homes in the area that are as comparable as possible. Our new Phase 2 homes price per square foot numbers compare very favorably even though none of the other homes offer the combination of energy efficient build quality and community amenities that Heartwood offers. The price per square foot for our Juniper model is $633 and for the Ponderosa is $408. The average of the local comparable homes is $591.
By building at scale and prioritizing quality and cost efficiency, we are able to build higher quality homes at a lower cost than a person could do on their own. Building 14 homes at the same time results in an efficient, streamlined process.
Clustering our homes and sharing 350 acres of open space means that you get access to all that land at a fraction of the cost of buying your own large acreage.
Ever since Covid, demand for Heartwood homes has been exceptionally strong. The worst of Covid seems to be behind us, but remote work is here to stay. There will likely be a continuing strong market for homes in the Rocky Mountain West making them a good investment.
There are no true apples to apples home price comparisons with Heartwood. No other local neighborhoods offer the amenities we have here at Heartwood. Not many homes are built to ZERH certification standards. Most homes come with garages, different finishes, and may be closer to Durango. And, of course, no other neighborhoods offer the close-knit community culture that a pedestrian-first cohousing design creates. Given all that, the table below shows the price per square foot of other homes in the area that are as comparable as possible. Our new Phase 2 homes price per square foot numbers compare very favorably even though none of the other homes offer the combination of energy efficient build quality and community amenities that Heartwood offers. The price per square foot for our Juniper model is $633 and for the Ponderosa is $408. The average of the local comparable homes is $591.
Low Maintenance, Fire Resistant Materials
We call the style of our homes Southwest Mountain Rustic. That stylistic choice results in very low maintenance, fire resistant materials on the exteriors of our homes: stucco walls, and metal roofs. To the right is one of the Phase 1 homes, which has wood trim. With the heightened concern about wildfires, the Phase 2 homes will have fiber-cement trim and siding at gable ends, which is nonflammable. Other features include fire resistant attic venting, fire resistant decking, ember-proof skirting around the front porch, and a sprinkler system throughout.
Phase 2 homes will also be built to meet DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes performance standards, which results in more fire resistant homes.
Passive Solar
Besides living in cohousing himself and having designed homes for six cohousing communities, Matt is an expert in passive solar design. He designed our common house and Phase 1 production homes, which all have superior daylighting and passive solar heat gain in the winter. We may be biased, but we think the Heartwood common house that Matt designed for us is the most beautiful, functional, and comfortable one that we've ever seen.
Optimal passive solar design means that all homes will be oriented with their long side facing south. That side will have the most windows and strategically placed overhangs to let in lots of winter sun while blocking out the summer sun.
Expanded window wells in the Ponderosa home basements create natural daylighting in basements too. Wonderful, warm daylighting is shown below in the dining room and basement of a Phase 1 home. The middle photo is the expanded window well from the outside that is letting the sun into the basement bedroom on the right.
Besides living in cohousing himself and having designed homes for six cohousing communities, Matt is an expert in passive solar design. He designed our common house and Phase 1 production homes, which all have superior daylighting and passive solar heat gain in the winter. We may be biased, but we think the Heartwood common house that Matt designed for us is the most beautiful, functional, and comfortable one that we've ever seen.
Optimal passive solar design means that all homes will be oriented with their long side facing south. That side will have the most windows and strategically placed overhangs to let in lots of winter sun while blocking out the summer sun.
Expanded window wells in the Ponderosa home basements create natural daylighting in basements too. Wonderful, warm daylighting is shown below in the dining room and basement of a Phase 1 home. The middle photo is the expanded window well from the outside that is letting the sun into the basement bedroom on the right.
Simple Building Configurations for Efficiency
Simple roof designs and minimal corners result in low construction costs, low energy use, low maintenance, and an ideal configuration for solar panels. Most roof leaks occur where ice gets trapped in valleys. Our Phase 2 roofs won't have any valleys, making them very resistant to developing leaks. Long term, low maintenance is a top priority throughout our homes.
Healthy Indoor Environment
The homes will have a Zehnder ERV to provide fresh, continuous filtered air flow. There are no gas appliances to pollute the indoor air nor are there any attached garages, which are the leading cause of indoor air pollution in homes. We will also use low VOC finishes.
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
The homes come with the 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty ensuring years of peace of mind. You can find full details here.
Back Patio Privacy
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Opportunities for Connection while Preserving Privacy
Most new mainstream American homes are built almost entirely for privacy – tiny front porches, tiny front yards, attached garages, and large fenced backyards. There is little to no effort made to promote community interaction. Cohousing, on the other hand, seeks to promote opportunities for connection with neighbors while preserving privacy. We all cherish our privacy. Somewhat ironically, the majority of cohousing residents are introverts. Heartwood homes are designed to create a healthy public / private balance. The front of the home is for community interaction and the rear of the home is for privacy. Kitchens are in front so it's easy to spot neighbors passing by on the pedestrian pathway. Living rooms and most bedrooms are in the rear for privacy. If you feel social, you might choose to take your cup of tea to your front porch. If you want privacy, you might retire to your back patio. The photo at the left shows Sandy sitting down to dinner on her private back patio. |
Open Floor Plans
All of the homes have good visual connection between the living room, dining room, and kitchen creating a spacious feel in efficient, flexible space.
Spontaneous Porch Party
Large and Attractive Front Porches
Creating spaces for spontaneous socializing is a central tenant of cohousing design. All Phase 2 homes will have covered front porches with ample room for furniture so they are inviting for sitting and visiting. Vaulted ceilings with a beam truss gives them a spacious rustic feel.
Functional Front Entry
In Phase 1 we learned that some of the front entries are a bit small so in Phase 2 homes we've made adjustments. All front entries will be close to the kitchen and have a mudroom or entry closet, which is very practical for our rural Colorado lifestyle. The entry storage space is well laid out to keep jackets, shoes, pantry, recycling, etc. organized and out of the way.
Functional Front Entry
In Phase 1 we learned that some of the front entries are a bit small so in Phase 2 homes we've made adjustments. All front entries will be close to the kitchen and have a mudroom or entry closet, which is very practical for our rural Colorado lifestyle. The entry storage space is well laid out to keep jackets, shoes, pantry, recycling, etc. organized and out of the way.
Kitchen in Front
All kitchens have one or two windows facing out onto the central pathway to facilitate community connection. Kitchens have an efficient work triangle (sink, refrigerator, stove) and 42" upper cabinets for extra storage.
All kitchens have one or two windows facing out onto the central pathway to facilitate community connection. Kitchens have an efficient work triangle (sink, refrigerator, stove) and 42" upper cabinets for extra storage.
Dining Room
Each dining room has space to comfortably seat at least six people.
Each dining room has space to comfortably seat at least six people.
Living Room in Rear
The living room is oriented for privacy, with connection to your private backyard and patio.
The living room is oriented for privacy, with connection to your private backyard and patio.
Plenty of Storage
Matt has designed in lots of closets and shelves. Additionally, every home has either a basement or attic space with a pulldown ladder.
Matt has designed in lots of closets and shelves. Additionally, every home has either a basement or attic space with a pulldown ladder.
Vaulted Ceilings
Something that makes the Phase 1 homes special is our vaulted ceilings so we're adding even more in the Phase 2 homes. We'll have vaulted ceilings throughout the second floor and on the first floor where possible, giving the homes a spacious feel.
Something that makes the Phase 1 homes special is our vaulted ceilings so we're adding even more in the Phase 2 homes. We'll have vaulted ceilings throughout the second floor and on the first floor where possible, giving the homes a spacious feel.
Flexible Functionality
Who knows what the future may bring? Phase 2 homes are designed to maximize flexibility. The large living room and dining room combo space can be used in a variety of ways. Bedrooms can be used as offices, studios or multi-use rooms. Unfinished basements create lots of future flexibility. All of the Phase 1 production homes included a super dry, well day-lighted, and livable unfinished basement. Homeowners love them. They are not your grandma's dark, dank basement. Most Phase 1 homeowners have finished their basements to suit the needs of their household. In the Phase 2 Ponderosa model, the basement can be left unfinished or for a very economical cost per square foot can be finished with or without a kitchen. A Ponderosa with a finished basement will also come with a separate entrance so the basement could be permitted as an ADU with the County.
Who knows what the future may bring? Phase 2 homes are designed to maximize flexibility. The large living room and dining room combo space can be used in a variety of ways. Bedrooms can be used as offices, studios or multi-use rooms. Unfinished basements create lots of future flexibility. All of the Phase 1 production homes included a super dry, well day-lighted, and livable unfinished basement. Homeowners love them. They are not your grandma's dark, dank basement. Most Phase 1 homeowners have finished their basements to suit the needs of their household. In the Phase 2 Ponderosa model, the basement can be left unfinished or for a very economical cost per square foot can be finished with or without a kitchen. A Ponderosa with a finished basement will also come with a separate entrance so the basement could be permitted as an ADU with the County.
How can I personalize my home?
Standardized home designs are important to reducing construction costs, but you will still have opportunities to personalize your home. All of the homes will come with standard features. You will be able to choose an upgrade for some of those features at an extra cost.
Links to options and upgrades selection guides for Phase 2 homes:In order to lock in prices and have materials on hand in time for construction, some options and upgrades have already been selected for some homes. Please contact Mac for details ([email protected]).
In Phase 2 homes, we will also give Ponderosa homebuyers the option to buy a home with a finished basement, either with a kitchen (to potentially create a basement ADU rental) or without a kitchen.
We have partnered with a local interiors store that has a good working relationship with our builder. Each homebuyer will be able to go to the store and select whatever flooring they want, paying for any costs exceeding the standard allowances. (Standard allowances will be sufficient to purchase basic flooring throughout your home.) This arrangement creates incredible flexibility for homebuyers to customize their home.
Standardized home designs are important to reducing construction costs, but you will still have opportunities to personalize your home. All of the homes will come with standard features. You will be able to choose an upgrade for some of those features at an extra cost.
Links to options and upgrades selection guides for Phase 2 homes:In order to lock in prices and have materials on hand in time for construction, some options and upgrades have already been selected for some homes. Please contact Mac for details ([email protected]).
In Phase 2 homes, we will also give Ponderosa homebuyers the option to buy a home with a finished basement, either with a kitchen (to potentially create a basement ADU rental) or without a kitchen.
We have partnered with a local interiors store that has a good working relationship with our builder. Each homebuyer will be able to go to the store and select whatever flooring they want, paying for any costs exceeding the standard allowances. (Standard allowances will be sufficient to purchase basic flooring throughout your home.) This arrangement creates incredible flexibility for homebuyers to customize their home.