Thanks For The Mention!
Recently, Dan Faires featured Parkinson Building Group in a post on his blog, Capsule, entitled An Arkansas Gem. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Dan Faires, he was a contestant on this season's HGTV design show, Design Star. Dan is a very talented contractor who specializes in custom interior and exterior design projects for private clients and boutiques. Dan currently heads the Capsule Furniture project. The mission of the Capsule Furniture project is to salvage materials and re-purpose them to be used by every modern day homeowner. During Dan's last visit to Arkansas, he actually toured my personal home in ...
Keep Your Home Air Tight
Ensuring that your home is air sealed is an important way to increase energy efficiency. Cracks and gaps in your home’s structure make way for unwanted air and moisture to enter your home. Just as air can penetrate your home, air can also exit your home through gaps. Sealing all gaps and cracks will prevent the occurrence of mold in your home and will also decrease drafts. Caulk, foam and weather stripping are all viable options that can be used to properly seal air leaks. To help you ensure that your home is sealed properly, we’ve provided a list of areas ...
Hello from Alys Beach
We really just can't get enough of Alys Beach. We blogged recently about their building material philosophy and commitment to sustainability. Now, we thought we'd share a few photos from a recent trip. Proof of growth! Here, you can see that beach-side development of Alys beach is underway. You can really see here where incredible architecture meets impeccable taste. Here are a few more... Opportunity awaits!
Happy Labor Day!
Posted on September 3, 2010 · Leave a CommentThis Labor Day weekend, as you relax and spend time with your family, we hope that you enjoy your much-deserved time off. Your hard work, dedication and daily contributions to our economy is greatly appreciated. As you embark upon your weekend vacations or backyard family barbecues, know that you are duly recognized for all that you do. Happy Labor Day!
Post-Katrina Green Building Efforts
Posted on September 1, 2010 · 1 CommentIn an effort to revive Hancock County, Mississippi, an area largely affected by Hurricane Katrina five years ago, Habitat for Humanity has set sight on green building. As 53% of the county’s housing was destroyed by the 2005 hurricane, Habitat for Humanity Bay-Waveland Area is still focused on rebuilding houses in the area.
With a large focus on lowering utility bills and providing affordable housing for families trying to recover from the hurricane, Wendy McDonald, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Bay-Waveland Area, decided to implement green building initiatives to all of the homes built.
Since starting the home rebuilds, the HFHBW has built 20 certified green homes and is awaiting certification for twelve other homes. Each home built by HFHBW is third-party certified through either National Green Building Standard (NGBS) or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
The HFHBW spends an average $15,000 extra on homes to ensure that they meet third-party standards. Wendy McDonald is quoted as saying,
The investment is paying off: Utility bills on the nonprofit’s energy-efficient homes have been as low as $80 a month, compared to $150 for a traditionally built house of the same size.
For more information on HFHBW green building, click here.
Housing Starts See Increase In July
Posted on August 30, 2010 · Leave a CommentAccording to statistics released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the number of new homes built across the nation rose to 1.7% in July. The data solely reports an increase in multifamily home builds, as the number of single family homes decreased 4.2%.
NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe had this to say about the increase in home builds:
Right now the housing market is essentially in a holding pattern. Builders are seeing greater hesitancy among potential home buyers who are uncertain about what’s in store for the economy and jobs going forward. That said, favorable home buying conditions including historically low mortgage rates and low house prices should help spur additional demand as the job market gradually improves later this year.
Across the U.S., the Northeast and Midwest regions posted gains of 30.5% and 10.7%, respectively in home builds. The South recorded a 6.3% decrease in home starts, while the West recorded no change in home start activity.
Click here from more details from the National Association of Home Builders.
News / Events
Happy Labor Day!
This Labor Day weekend, as you relax and spend time with your family, we hope that...
Going Green
Post-Katrina Green Building Efforts
In an effort to revive Hancock County, Mississippi, an area largely affected by Hurricane...
Sustainability in Design
Adding A Fresh Coat
Sometimes, the quickest and easiest way to change the vibe of your home interior...
Industry Trends
Keep Your Home Air Tight
Ensuring that your home is air sealed is an important way to increase energy efficiency....


