Not only do the stylish addresses in the new community of King’s Heights adhere to Built Green™ standards, but they also ring in from an affordable—and unbelievable—price point below the $300,000 mark.
“A lot of people love the Built Green™, in fact, I have had people from as far away as Texas asking about it,” says Sandra Peters, area manager for Zen by Avalon Master Builder.
Phase One is already sold out, but several units are available for purchase in the second phase, while Zen’s buildings 13 and 15 will come on the market in the near future in the three-phase development in the new Airdrie subdivision of King’s Heights.

Zen homebuyers have options of five different two-storey floor plans—among them, a choice of two or three bedrooms and mix-and-match one or two full bathrooms. For those who prefer to tour their future addresses to mulling over blueprints, a pair of show suites are open on site to get a feel for Zen—the Pippin and Roma, each around the 1,000-square-foot mark.

Walking in the contemporary model suites, it’s apparent these are no little houses on the prairie; from the extensive stonework, to the polished modern details within. A quick glance around the Pippin and Roma gives would-be buyers a taste of what to expect in their own Zen addresses—open floor plans, decora switches, high-profile wide MDF trimwork, painted feature walls in the living room and bedrooms, and Armstrong lino that’s a convincing wood look-alike throughout to name a few.

“People are surprised when they come out here and take a look. They are really contemporary designs, and not at all what they were expecting,” says Peters. “And the fact that you get your own fenced and landscaped backyard is huge. They like the fact that they can sit in the backyard and have a barbecue,” she adds.

Meanwhile, for those wishing for a little more space, the Cameo offers a third roomy floor plan option of townhomes in the interior portion of buildings. All three interior plans currently range in price from $267,000 to $276,000.

The Fuji and Gala floor plans, both end-unit options, boast an even larger 1,200-square-feet of living space and start at $295,000. And developing the basement is an option most buyers are taking Avalon Master Builder up on, adding a bathroom, bedroom and rec room to the lower level for $16,000.
And it turns out it can be easy to be green, as buyers in the Zen project inherit much standard fare to save them money and help give the world a break. To begin with, Avalon is using 100 per cent wind power during construction, to ease the cost and burden of energy on the environment, while all Zen homes have insulated front doors with a glass inset and use white PVC low-E Energy Star-rated windows.
To appeal even more to buyers’ desires to save, Zen addresses include 95 per cent efficient furnaces and a programmable Energy Star thermostat, with dual setback and continuous fan setting—that even includes a filter maintenance reminder.

 And water-conservation systems are part of this green incentive—from an Energy Star-rated GE power scrub dishwasher and a 40-gallon power vented hot water tank to dual-flush toilets in half-baths and low-flush toilets in the remaining bathrooms.

Wall boards use 15 per cent recycled content, while carpet underlay also includes recycled content, to cut down on the project’s impact on the environment.
Air-quality initiatives that will have homebuyers breathing easy include sealed air-combustion appliances.

Kitchen cupboards boast handsome flat-panel wrapped cabinet doors, and are available in stylish hues of chocolate, pear or almond, topped with smart oversized satin chrome door hardware. Four designer colour palettes (using low-VOC paints) imitate moods of summer, spring, autumn and winter—consistent with the project’s earthy theme.

And what’s in the walls also helps cut down on waste going back into landfills; for example, insulation is made of a minimum of 40 per cent recycled content. Also in line with higher-than-average Built Green™ standards is attic insulation rated at R-40 and basement insulation, at R-20, on exterior basement walls.

While landscaping on Zen is not yet complete, plenty of green spaces are planned between units as well as fenced, landscaped backyards. Parking is also never a worry, as units come complete with one or two surface parking spots.

To get to there, take Highway 2 (Deerfoot Trail) north to Airdrie and exit at Yankee Valley Road. Showhome hours are Monday to Thursday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., and weekends and holidays from noon through 5 p.m. Show suites are at 2445 Kingsland Road S.E. 
For more information visit http://www.zeninbalance.com