American Society of Landscape Architects honours Geos Net Zero plan
The American Society of Landscape Architects in Washington DC announced on May 5th that a national
Honor Award for Analysis and Planning has been bestowed upon the Geos Net Zero Energy Neighbourhood
planned for Arvada, Colorado.
Designed by David Kahn Studios of Eldorado Springs, Colorado and Michael Tavel Architects of Denver,
Colorado, Geos will be the largest net‐zero energy, urban mixed‐use neighborhood in the United States.
Earth and sun power will completely sustain the community’s energy needs, and replace all fossil fuels. The
neighbourhood is intertwined with natural systems, stormwater fed landscapes, and civic places. Rain and
snow melt feed street tree rain gardens, percolation parks, plazas, and community gardens. Geos received
final development approval from the City of Arvada and will begin construction in 2009.
The Geos Neighborhood incorporates symbiotic relationships in site planning and architecture, at all scales.
Urban density is optimized with passive solar access. Stormwater is integrated and omnipresent within the
neighborhood layout. Energy is generated from ground source loop fields, solar thermal panels, and
photovoltaic panels on every rooftop. The architecture utilizes high performance building envelopes and
super efficient mechanical systems. The overall town plan aims to foster bio‐civic relationships with natural
processes, neighbourhood ecology, and environmental stewardship.
The neighborhood is the brain child of developer Norbert Klebl, who is seeking to build a demonstration
project in sustainability that will encourage radical improvements in the American homebuilding industry.
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