A commitment to building smart, net zero, sustainable and healthy homes that are also attainable doesn’t mean compromising on quality. At VISION House Hickory Grove, a built-to-rent community developed by Rob Howard, president of Howard Building Science, in partnership with Green Builder Media, the homes are purposely designed for long-term resilience, efficiency and for lasting affordability.
Whether the homes are labeled “missing middle” or “workforce” housing, the concept is that homes are needed for a variety of groups of people such as teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, retirees and recent graduates. Well-designed homes can contribute to the health and well-being of residents as well as their financial comfort.
Located in Hickory, North Carolina, the 16 units in four buildings at VISION House Hickory Grove are built to the Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home standard and FORTIFIED Home certification for resilience. The homes will be certified to use up to 50% less energy than code-built homes and include solar and battery storage for energy independence.
To achieve that level of energy efficiency, the buildings will include Knauf Performance+ insulation.
“Knauf Performance+ insulation is not only a high-performance solution for energy efficiency but also a smart choice for supporting indoor air quality,” says Linda McGovern, Vice President, Marketing & Customer Experience at Knauf North America. “Our Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification and Verified Healthier Air certification underscores our dedication to improving indoor air quality, making homes more comfortable for families. Knauf Performance+ insulation can improve occupant comfort and support better indoor air quality, while also advancing sustainable building goals.”
While energy efficiency is extremely important for both environmental and financial reasons, healthy homes are also a top priority for consumers today.
At VISION House Hickory Grove, the buildings will be insulated with Performance+® EcoBatt insulation, which is third-party certified that it’s free of harmful chemicals. The insulation is pre-cut for easier installation and low on dust.
“Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certified and Verified Healthier Air, Performance+ Ecobatt is a safe, sustainable and cost-effective fiberglass insulation made with ECOSE technology,” says Fabio Staffolani, Vice President, Residential, Light Commercial and OEM at Knauf North America. “It also provides excellent thermal and acoustical performance, making it an excellent choice for walls, ceilings and floors, for residential and commercial buildings.”
Performance+ Ecobatt can be used for both new builds and retrofits, with applications in wood and metal frame structures across residential, commercial and manufactured housing projects.
“Knauf products with ECOSE Technology are made using our patented, bio-based binder - a smarter alternative to the formaldehyde binder traditionally used in many fiberglass products,” says Staffolani. “By prioritizing sustainable innovation like ECOSE Technology, we’re not only reducing environmental impact but also providing healthier, high-performance solutions for our customers.”
“Our insulation products help buildings and homes across the nation save energy, and we are committed to leading the way in sustainable construction materials,” says Gabriela Fleury, Director, Sustainability at Knauf North America. “We continuously work toward reducing our carbon footprint by optimizing manufacturing efficiency. We aim to increase the use of recycled materials in our products, currently at 55% UL certified recycled glass. Our commitment to sustainability is both ambitious and unwavering.”
Knauf has a goal of diverting 100% of its industrial waste from landfill by implementing reduction and reuse programs across all manufacturing sites.
“Additionally, we are actively exploring renewables and other green energy technologies. We support circular economy principles and consider the entire lifecycle of our products from start to finish. Performance+® EcoBatt® has an Environmental Product Declaration available in the Sustainable Minds Transparency catalog,” says Fleury.
“By participating in the VISION House Hickory Grove, we aim to highlight the benefits of Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certified building products that contribute to healthier living spaces, while also reinforcing the importance of energy efficiency and environmental responsibility in modern home construction.”