"Luxury is Standard" in ZK Green Homes in Sugar Land

Living green has been elevated to new heights of luxury and sophistication in the Sugar Land area with the introduction of ZK Homes in the Enclave at Lake Pointe. These homes are truly unique and intelligent, from the impressive architectural design, to the ability to access and operate several of the homes’ internal software systems from remote locations.

"Owning a ZK home means a homeowner can enjoy elegance accompanied with tasteful design, as well as energy efficiency and sustainability, along with cutting-edge technologies, which all translates to value for the homeowner at an affordable price," explained Lee Zieben, a partner in ZK Homes. "No longer does down-sizing and reducing your carbon footprint, require a homeowner to sacrifice desired lifestyle amenities," he continued. Zieben and co-partner, John Kirksey Jr., are industry green building leaders in building the first Gold certified award-winning green homes in Houston. "Our vision is to provide homeowners with a home that has all of the custom finishes and features without the custom price. With this approach coupled with our industry leading green construction methods, we aim to provide homeowners an exceptional product that people can be proud of," stated John Kirksey.

Zieben and Kirksey both represent the second generation in their families as architects and builders, respectively. They came together four years ago to create Zieben Kirksey Development, a land development company and ZK Homes, its sister home building entity. ZK Homes was the first builder in Houston to attain the highest Gold certification from the NAHB National Green Building Program for its homes. Homes in the Program must meet benchmarks set for energy, water and resource efficiency, indoor environmental quality, lot and site development and homeowner education and home maintenance.

Enclave at Lake Pointe will be the first totally certified green subdivision in the Houston area when the 100 Mediterranean and Spanish style patio and town homes platted in the gated community are totally constructed. Ranging in size from 2,400 to over 3,500 square feet, the homes are priced from the high 400s to the low 700s. The Enclave is located on the water within Lake Pointe, within walking distance of the Whole Foods Market, upscale dining and shopping and the Town center in the downtown area of Sugar Land. Many of the homes are situated on waterfront lots and the subdivision is contained in a park setting with lush landscaping and two parks reserved for Enclave residents.

Zieben and Kirksey are especially proud that they were hand picked by Planned Community Developers to build in Sugar Land. At the time they were invited to come to Sugar Land, they were building in the Bellaire area in the communities of Pine Ridge Villas and Enclave at Bellaire. The builders worked with the Sugar Land City Council and the Planning and Zoning Committee to obtain special permits and waivers to enable them to introduce their semi-custom green homes to the area.

Zieben noted that, "We love being in Sugar Land. It is a very clean, organized and well laid out city where the people are very welcoming and hospitable. Life style is very important to us and our decision to build here. We want to offer our homeowners close proximity to upscale shopping, dining, highways, while providing them a safe and secure place they can retreat to each day that feels as if they have escaped from society."

"ZK Homes welcomes the community to come by and tour these incredible houses," said Paul Silverman, Director of Sales & Marketing for ZK. Both Kirksey and Silverman hold the Certified Green Professionals’ designation from The National Association of Home Builders, and Silverman also has a Green designation from the National Association of Realtors.

Home tours not only show off the latest in upscale comfort features, but are an educational experience in how to live green. Kirksey is passionate about explaining the energy efficiencies built into the homes, while Silverman enjoys pointing out the lifestyle and economic advantages of these features. Starting in the kitchen, Silverman demonstrated the pot-filler faucet over the gourmet gas stove, a multi-level (slow-to-fast) smoke exhaust fan, numerous pull-out cabinet sections, self-closing drawers, including spice racks, a double-bin recycling center, lazy-susan corner shelves, fully adjustable pantry shelving with glass drawer fronts and bins, a tilt-out sponge tray under the sink, and a reverse osmosis system for water filtration.

Right off the kitchen is the double car garage that contains the body of a central vacuum cleaner system. Silverman stated that having the vacuum located in the garage means the actual contaminants stay out of the house, reducing inside allergens and dust. (Having a vacuum in the garage is also extremely convenient for cleaning your car). The garage also contains a Pex manifold system that provides a central hookup for tubing from all plumbing fixtures in the home. If a particular faucet is leaking, water can be turned off to that specific faucet while the rest of the house continues to function normally.

Mounted on the outside wall of the garage is the Rinnai® tankless hot water heater that replaces the silo-type storage multi-gallon water heater. This tankless model only heats the actual water as it is being used (reducing gas or electric costs) rather than heating and storing gallons of water in a tank that may burst or leak causing damage. In the yard, the sprinkler system contains a rain sensor that prevents the system from coming on in the rain. Imported real Travertine stone pavers are used on the walkways, patios and garage drives of the home while the actual garage floors are coated with special epoxy coatings. Traditional wood floors and travertine are also used throughout the house.

An award winning master bedroom and master bathroom are also focal points of the home. The large bedroom contains beautiful coffered ceilings and an over-the-top closet with clothes hampers, built-in tie, belt and scarf racks, locking jewelry drawers and ceiling-to-floor shoe storage. The bathroom includes a huge shower with low-flow rain shower heads and body sprays.

While the homes are three stories, they are all elevator ready and a homebuyer can determine when to install the elevator. Walls and attics in the homes contain ICYNENE insulation that is actually sprayed in and expands to completely fill in and insulate the rafters and walls. "This special insulation not only makes the home more energy efficient, resulting in much lower electric usage and cost, but it also keeps the air conditioning equipment and ductwork in the attic from experiencing extreme temperature changes. The attic is normally no more than 5 degrees warmer than the rest of the home." said Silverman. A bonus feature of the insulation is that it also helps soundproof the home from outside noises.

"To insure energy conservation, LENNOX high efficiency heating and cooling systems are installed in every home," stated Kirksey. "Air filtration systems are used to block to the viral level, and the indoor air quality is superior to most new homes on the market today," he added. To also increase energy efficiency, Andersen® double paned low-energy argon-gas filled windows that pop-out for easy cleaning are featured throughout the home.

The cable wired home is ready for the installation of televisions, phones and internet. Software is also installed for remote security access and to set timers for items like lights and alarm systems. Silverman is especially pleased to explain, "The paints and finishes used throughout the house contain low or no VOC’s – volatile organic compounds - that can off gas dangerous vapors in the environment." He also noted that ZK continues its green philosophy to the very end of the job.

Wood scraps from the construction are recycled into mulch for yards, and special care is taken around the waterfront areas to make certain contaminants do not get into the lake.

To take a tour of these gorgeous environmentally friendly houses, visit the Enclave at Lake Pointe, at 16102 Creekbend Dr., Sugar Land, Tx, 77478 or for more information call (713) 715-1456, e-mail sales@zkhomes.com, or visit them online at http://www.zkhomes.com.

713-715-1456

16102 Creekbend Dr.

Sugar Land, TX 77478

sales@zkhomes.com

www.ZKHomes.com

Click on link to read more: "Luxury is Standard" in ZK Green Homes in Sugar Land