Photography by: Patrick Coulie

LEED-A-LICIOUS

Can you have luxury and energy efficiency?

Gerry Hazelbaker had a vision for a “glamorously green” home in Aspen. He felt he could provide one with the luxury and quality that discriminating Aspen homebuyers demand, but he hoped to show it could be done more sustainably, and with a smaller energy footprint. With the help of his architect, Stace McGee, and with Green Builder Media, he may have accomplished this feat: the Vision House Aspen. 
Though many argue that smaller is better, there’s a continual demand in our valley for large homes. The trick is to build one that meets the market’s demand for expansive spaces and luxurious surroundings but that also reduces the guilt factor. The Vision House Aspen is far from small, and it certainly boasts plenty of creature comforts, but it isn’t your usual Aspen “monster” home. Topping out at 6,700 square feet (or close to 7,500 when the three-car garage is included), it is 50 percent more energy-efficient than typical homes its size, and it is largely constructed from materials that are either recycled or responsibly resourced.
How did this work?
With an array of print and online resources, Green Builder Media is the leading company for green building, and they sponsor Vision Homes around the country. Most of its projects are...

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