KB Home puts “earth first,” receives LEED award

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has honored KB Home’s Primera Terra community with a 2011 LEED for Homes award. The LEED Platinum project, one of the largest in California, was recognized as the best in the Multi-Family category.

Primera Terra, which loosely translates to "earth first,” is made up of 52 luxury condominiums. The homes, equipped with energy- and water-saving features, are at least 40% more energy-efficient than typical new homes, according to KB Home. The estimated heating and cooling costs of the homes in Primera Terra -- part of Playa Vista, a pedestrian-friendly master-plan community -- are as little as $57 per month in select models.

KB Home achieved a high level of efficiency by focusing on optimizing the building envelope and incorporating such features as a cool roof. Built-in, energy-saving features include tankless water heaters, Energy Star-qualified appliances and lighting, high-efficiency windows and WaterSense labeled faucets and toilets. All homeowners also receive an energy monitoring system, which tracks electricity usage on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, from any computer or Web-enabled mobile device.

"KB Home's Primera Terra should serve as an example to other builders that completing a LEED Platinum project does not have to mean a significant increase in construction costs," said Nate Kredich, VP residential market development, USGBC. "We commend KB Home for continuing to be an innovator through its commitment to building high-performing, healthy homes that save homeowners money."