Green Design

The Old Cutters Community and Mountain Sun Homes' houses incorporate Green and Environmental strategies in every project.

Sun, Site and View

Every project begins by performing a “Sun, Site, and View Study”.  We use the Solar pathfinder © to determine:

• How much solar access your lot receives

• Determine what time of day, per season, and all year long the times that the sun will rise and set. 

• We use this important information to plan you floor plan for desired solar gain, to shield the home from the potential overheating sun.

• How large to make the overhangs and the porches, or planning the architectural forms to work with the sun for energy efficiency and comfort.

We also incorporate design principles to work with the daily diurnal breezes that are common to Old Cutters.  The intent is to benefit from the natural cooling opportunities and to design outdoor spaces that are protected and benefit from the ample solar exposure.

All of this information is used to plan for key views.  This approach to design also improves your homes energy efficiency goals and promotes greater occupant comfort.

Alleys

The neighborhood design incorporates alleys. The intent is to have a garage that is detached from the home which promotes better indoor air quality, and less primary street clutter.  This landplaning principle improves streetscape safety.

Sidewalks, Front Porches, Parks and Connection to Open Space

The Neo-traditional neighborhood plan separates the car from the primary streets with alleys.

• Streets  have shade trees covering sidewalks on each side.  This design provides safe walking areas through the neighborhood.  

• Sidewalk circulation network links all homes to the large community park or to a an adjacent trail network connecting to BLM land.  

• All homes are required to have front porches further promoting the front yard, neighborhood social experience. 

Come visit Old Cutters to experience the “NEW” practice of healthy, environmental and energy efficient living.