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VISION House Hickory Grove

The VISION House Hickory Grove in Hickory, North Carolina redefines sustainable community living. Developed in partnership with Howard Building Science, this pocket neighborhood introduces “missing middle”, or workforce, housing that provide smart, attainable options. 

With a build-to-rent model and a focus on livability, Hickory Grove blends affordability with forward-thinking design.

Each home in this community is built for performance and resilience. Using volumetric modular construction, the project reduces waste, controls costs, and shortens build time to just four to six months. 

High-efficiency systems, solar energy, battery storage, airtight envelopes, and healthy ventilation ensure comfort, durability, and low utility costs. Smart home technology and climate-ready design round out the vision for future-proof housing.

Hickory Grove is also committed to net zero carbon goals. By prioritizing low-carbon, bio-based materials and offsetting where needed, the project shows how housing can actively reduce its climate impact. From cellulose insulation that sequesters carbon to sustainable product choices, every detail supports a healthier planet. The result is a model community that proves sustainable housing can be affordable, resilient, and inspiring.

Workforce Housing Built Right: Interview with Rob Howard, President Howard Building Science 

“For the last 10 years, we’ve been certifying everything we build to the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) standard. This will be our first attempt to talk it all the way to Net Zero Energy with solar and battery storage.”

Announcing VISION House Hickory Grove

Our latest demonstration project is a real-time response to the changing housing market.

In today’s housing market, buzzwords like net zero, prefab, workforce housing, multifamily, and build-to-rent dominate the conversation—and for good reason. They reflect the urgent demand from both consumers and the industry to deliver homes that are efficient, resilient, and attainable. 

Green Builder Media’s latest VISION House project, the VISION House Hickory Grove, located in Hickory, North Carolina, checks every one of those boxes.

This project is a timely and necessary response to the moment we’re in—one defined by a growing affordability crisis, intensifying climate events, and surging demand for smarter, healthier homes. 

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