Fred Lawrence

Fred Lawrence- Lawrence Bros, LLC

"Green living is a concern of many homeowners thanks to an increased desire to live efficiently, with the lowest impact possible on the environment," says Fred Lawrence of Lawrence Bros, LLC, one of the developers, in a press release.

Many early adopters will seek housing in progressive neighborhoods such as Morgan Park Place in Germantown, where units meet EarthCraft House standards for construction, materials and design, explains Fred Lawrence, director of sales and marketing for Lawrence Bros. LLC.Lawrence Bros. and Werthan Zeitlin are each developing half of the project.

EarthCraft House is a blueprint for eco-friendly, healthy homes that reduce utility bills.Lawrence describes the concept as "a holistic approach" to building, from reducing waste on the job site to conserving lumber to using renewable resources such as bamboo for floors.
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For now, many homebuyers don't realize the benefits of green until a builder explains the concept, Fred Lawrence says."The builder has to make a commitment and be willing to sacrifice so they can compete in the marketplace until the public really has a full understanding of the benefits," he says.

EarthCraft homes can cost about 3 percent to 5 percent more than traditional brick-and-mortar.And depending on whether a builder shoots for satisfactory or above-and-beyond standards, construction costs can exceed what homebuyers may be willing to pay.Lawrence Brothers soaks up the difference on its projects, so the impetus to build green starts with "sensibilities" - a cause, Fred Lawrence explains.Still, lower operating costs and a clean conscience balance the equation in the long term, he adds.

"We have to take the time to educate people," Fred Lawrence says.
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Finally, Fred Lawrence says there are empty nesters who, after fulfilling career goals and raising families, want to focus more on giving back."They really seem to connect with this concept," he says.Equally interested are Gen-Xers and young couples who "are already thinking about ecology right out of the box."

For these people, inviting Mother Earth into the home has never been easier here."People like the fact that they can contribute and it's already built into the home they are buying," Fred Lawrence says.
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In addition, low-VOC paint is used throughout the units and the carpeting is made from recycled plastic bottles, said Fred Lawrence, director of sales and marketing for builder Lawrence Bros. LLC. (JAE S. LEE / THE TENNESSEAN)
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The ductwork will be sealed with mastic instead of the typical foil tape, said Fred Lawrence, director of sales and marketing for Lawrence Bros. LLC, to reduce loss of cooled air.
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Fred Lawrence

"We had reserved space for a coffee shop but then decided to expand that into more space for gourmet food outlets," said Fred Lawrence, a principal with Lawrence Bros. LLC, the co-developer on the project."We want to bring in specialty retailers from Nashville, not necessarily chains."

There already is a prospective tenant wanting to reserve space for a coffee shop, and Lawrence said he anticipates other retailers.

Thus far, three of the 26 residential units in Phase I are under contract, with another seven reserved.

"We're happy with those numbers," Lawrence said.

Phase I is expected to be finished in February of 2006, at about the time construction of Phase II is expected to begin.

Lawrence said the $20 million project uses both New Urbanism elements, such as concealed parking, and "green" construction elements like triple-paned windows, which help conserve energy.

Many early adopters will seek housing in progressive neighborhoods such as Morgan Park Place in Germantown, where units meet EarthCraft House standards for construction, materials and design, explains Fred Lawrence, director of sales and marketing for Lawrence Bros. LLC.Lawrence Bros. and Werthan Zeitlin are each developing half of the project.EarthCraft House is a blueprint for eco-friendly, healthy homes that reduce utility bills.Lawrence describes the concept as "a holistic approach" to building, from reducing waste on the job site to conserving lumber to using renewable resources such as bamboo for floors.
...
For now, many homebuyers don't realize the benefits of green until a builder explains the concept, Fred Lawrence says."The builder has to make a commitment and be willing to sacrifice so they can compete in the marketplace until the public really has a full understanding of the benefits," he says.EarthCraft homes can cost about 3 percent to 5 percent more than traditional brick-and-mortar.And depending on whether a builder shoots for satisfactory or above-and-beyond standards, construction costs can exceed what homebuyers may be willing to pay.Lawrence Brothers soaks up the difference on its projects, so the impetus to build green starts with "sensibilities" - a cause, Fred Lawrence explains.Still, lower operating costs and a clean conscience balance the equation in the long term, he adds. "We have to take the time to educate people," Fred Lawrence says.
...
Finally, Fred Lawrence says there are empty nesters who, after fulfilling career goals and raising families, want to focus more on giving back."They really seem to connect with this concept," he says.Equally interested are Gen-Xers and young couples who "are already thinking about ecology right out of the box." For these people, inviting Mother Earth into the home has never been easier here."People like the fact that they can contribute and it's already built into the home they are buying," Fred Lawrence says. Building higher standards