The Bosch Experience Center (BEC) at Serenbe was awarded the EarthCraft Light Commercial Project of the Year by The Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and Southface, as part of the annual Earthcraft Celebration of Excellence. The BEC is a learning and education center showcasing Bosch technologies for the home.
The EarthCraft Awards comprise 11 award categories centered on recognizing builders, architects, engineers, project managers and contractors for their commitment to advancing sustainable construction and providing healthy, comfortable and durable homes and workplaces.
EarthCraft is a green building certification program designed to address climate, energy and water issues unique to the southeastern U.S. Since its founding by the Greater Atlanta Builders Association and Southface in 1999, the EarthCraft program has certified 28,500 projects throughout the Southeast.
All EarthCraft projects exceed:
- Building code standards for energy and water efficiency
- Provide efficient lighting and appliances
- Use resource efficient construction techniques
- Meet high standards for construction quality and durability, and
- Provide healthy indoor air quality for daily comfort.
Using energy efficient technologies and renewables
The Bosch Experience Center won the Light Commercial project award for its application/use of energy efficient technologies and renewables like low-flow water fixtures, solar photovoltaics, geothermal heating and cooling, point-of-use water heating, and energy efficient HVAC. The Center achieved EarthCraft’s Light Commercial Gold certification.
The Bosch Experience Center serves as a learning and education center for an array of energy efficient technologies, including renewables, all from Bosch. The BEC is a direct reflection of Bosch’s commitment to preserving the environment for future generation and fostering sustainable practices.
As such, the BEC fits harmoniously into Serenbe’s mission. The 1,000 acre residential living and farming community south of Atlanta in the Chattahoochee Hills region, promotes land preservation, energy efficiency, green building, walkability and community living for multiple generations.
Inside the BEC are Bosch product displays from the company’s various business units such as appliances, tools, heating and cooling equipment, a solar thermal panel, automotive clean diesel technology, security and sound systems, aluminum structural materials, and a geothermal heat pump and loop display. The building itself is cooled/heated by a geothermal heat pump; solar thermal panels provide hot water to the kitchen; photovoltaic solar panels provide electricity, and tankless water heaters provide hot water to the bathrooms.
The Bosch Experience Center at Serenbe was officially opened on May 31, 2013 and is open from Thursday to Sunday each week.
