While spec home are just that, spec homes and typically built en masse in communities where everything looks the same, it is always refreshing to see when someone breaks the mold and does something a little differently now and then.  Garbett Homes is doing just that in Utah and I love the change. 

In the Southwest corner of Salt Lake County a not so little community called Daybreak has sprung up in the area where the old Kennecott Copper evaporation ponds used to be located and were subsequently cleaned up several years ago.  (Click HERE for a PDF document from the EPA on this remediation) Daybreak is a community built around green living, close neighborhoods and Energy Star Certified homes, it takes an area where pollution was a problem and makes it a testament to the change that can happen.  A light rail line is even being built to the community (someday…) so that residents can move easily to the heart of Salt Lake City and give those who work there an affordable opportunity for green living outside of the locales they would typically consider closer in.  The concept is wonderful! However, until that light rail line is built it is a long way from being green when it comes to proximity to services and the current traffic situation. 

In it’s short history the Daybreak style of home has leaned toward late 1800’s and early 1900’s styling where craftsman and Victorian homes were the norm.  Something new has now come online from Garbett Homes and it is called the Solaris Collection.  

What sets these homes apart is that they are in a modern design and a wide and welcome contrast to the the typical Daybreak craftsman redux.  Actually, it is exciting! Very Exciting!  Now if they could intersperse them amongst the other styles a little more, so it doesn’t just end up as another overabundance of homes that all look the same. 

Some other noteable information on these homes is the materials that they are using here as well.  From Hardi Board on the exterior, solar included in the price and r38 insulation in the ceilings, they are also making good strides in green building and energy efficiency with these homes.  That and the base price is $206,000!  Please note that I did not say GREAT green strides.  These homes are Energy Star rated so please take that for what it is worth.  It is a start and not the top. 

Photos of the homes can be seen on the Garbett Website and through posts over at Grassroots Modern and Jetson Green.  Once I have a chance to head out that way I will share some of my own photos and tell you more about the homes and my impressions.