Since 2003 CS Custom Structures, Inc. has had the pleasure of designing and building homes and businesses in Lynchburg and surrounding counties for a broad range of outstanding clients.  In our short history as a company, we have accomplished much due to the professionalism of our people, our attention to architectural detail and our commitment to excellent customer service.  Although CS Custom Structures is known as a light commercial and high-end residential custom design and build company, we also wanted to bring economical, energy efficient, and sustainable homes to Central Virginia. We also wanted to prove that going “green” didn’t mean going broke. We wanted to show that you could architecturally design and build a “green” home that was not cost prohibitive.
We are pleased to introduce "Next Generation Homes". 

These homes represent “green” principles to include proper site selection and orientation, landscaping with native plants, water collection, water efficient fixtures, the optimization of energy performance, the use of local materials and environmentally preferred products, improved indoor air quality, and exceptional energy saving systems and practices. 

We spent over a year researching products and techniques to ensure the creation of energy efficient, sustainable and technologically driven homes.  We became familiar with many of the green rating programs currently available such as Earth Craft, Energy Star and the USGBC-LEED program to create the most efficient product available.  “Green” principles in architecture became something we took pride in. Making Lynchburg a more environmentally friendly place for its citizens to live and raise their families became a design mission.  In so doing, we wanted to raise the bar in what Lynchburg’s families could get for their money when incorporating “green” principles through architectural design and conscientious construction.

Six Different Style Homes Available
Currently we offer 6 different style homes and are producing more that will be released in 2010.  Next Generation Homes range in cost from $179k to $399k depending on the style and the features selected.  These houses have four types of veneer to choose from including locally made brick, manmade stone veneer (made here in Forest, Virginia) with fly ash, Exterior Insulated Finish System (EIFS) and cementitious lap siding made from concrete.  No vinyl products will be used on these homes.  Vinyl is a product that is very harmful to the environment and takes an enormous amount of energy to create.

With the cost of energy on the rise we all need to watch how we spend money.  We want to prove that you can have a high quality, energy efficient home at the same price point as a conventional home.  This is made possible by the reduction of fees and teaming with local, reputable companies who will also reduce their cost of services because they too want to make a difference and protect the environment. In many cases, these homes are as much as 75% more efficient than conventional homes being built today. 

Custom is defined, through the client’s eyes, as something that is not reproduced, but rather is one-of-a-kind.  Each home is designed by a CS Custom Structures registered Architect, licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia and built exclusively by the CS Custom Structures, Inc. team of master carpenters and project managers.

Central Virginia enjoys a strong historical tradition. Homes within this area also depict a hint of Colonial Revival architecture in their core. Although Next Generation Homes are “knee-deep” in technology, we think that it is important to keep the style of the home more conservative. This design solution is unique and works as well as fine antiques accented within a contemporary home. Architectural styles offered thus far that fit this traditional theme include an Edinburg cottage style, a deep South Louisiana style, as well as a Craftsman and Colonial style.

Many builders claim to be custom builders who use only the finest materials and products but more often than not, this claim is simply not true.  Custom, to many builders is nothing more than a catch word.

To some degree, we are encouraged to design, specify and further develop these Eco-Friendly homes due to a small portion of builders referred to as “quick builders”. These “quick builders” are mostly interested in quantity by putting up homes that are barely constructed to code and employ minimal, if any “green” principles.  These homes produce more electricity to operate and have a shelf life of less than 20 years before structural issues become apparent.  “Quick” builders only care about quantity and making a quick profit… they do not care about the young family that may lose their life’s largest investment.

Comparison Chart
A CS Custom Structures, Inc. home is designed and built to last a lifetime.

The following chart compares a Conventional House to a “Next Generation Home”. From thicker walls to exceeding code requirements for insulation, it is easy to see that the “Next Generation Home” is the way to go.

Click on the chart for a printable PDF.

Tax Incentives are a huge benefit of Next Generation Homes.  With the Federal government trying to stimulate the current economy it’s only smart to take advantage of these savings.  We implemented every possible material and product that was true to being green and incorporated that product, where feasible, into each Next Generation Home style.  Depending on options that a client may chose, there is over $30,000.00 in tax incentives for one home alone.  With these tax incentives we have found what gives our clients the most for their money while also providing long term benefits.  After the tax incentives, the cost of a Next Generation Home is equivalent to a conventional home being built today. 

Another thing we want to eliminate in Lynchburg is the repetition of homes.  We hear stories all the time that a client was promised that their house would be the only style home built near them and a few months later the same style house was once again being built next door with a different color roof and shutters.  Good design limits repetition and encourages diversity.  A community needs to be planned without repetition, no matter what the profit incentive is.  We have set rules we will always abide by concerning the repetition of house styles.  If a client comes to us and owns the lot beside a Next Generation Home and wants to build the same house again, we will not do it. Our reputation for custom design and construction is too strong.

Precise parameters have not been established, but as we build in and around Lynchburg, we will not repeat homes in an obvious manner. This may mean that we don’t build a repetitive home within a mile of each other or within twenty houses of each other.  

Many, who haven’t researched the topic, feel that “green” is a four letter word. Many also feel that they cannot afford “green” alternatives.  CS Custom Structures wants to help educate the community as to why we all need to be embracing “green” principles.

When we partnered with the Lynchburg Green Building Initiative to design and build Lynchburg’s first Eco-House model there were three topics of paramount importance… cost efficiency, custom design and quality construction.

Selected to be the first Eco-House for the Lynchburg Green Building Initiative
CS Custom Structures Next Generation Home that was selected to be the first Eco-House Model Home. We are extremely proud to be the first, and will wave the banner with honor to showcase and promote this extraordinary LGBI model house called the Eco-House.  The house was designed to attain a LEED Platinum status as part of the United States Green Building Council.  This is the highest green rating platform in existence and this will be the first of its kind within central Virginia. There are only two LEED Platinum residential buildings in Virginia.   This 1710 Sf home is being constructed by our professional team of carpenters and master carpenters along with handpicked, dedicated subcontractors that have the same interest that we do about “green” and serving the public.  With such features as hydronic radiant flooring, R-50 insulation, a reverse chiller system,  18seer heat pumps,  energy star rated lighting and plumbing fixtures,  complete roof runoff water storage, proper building orientation to collect solar gain, pest control alternatives, local wood materials, mold resistant and locally harvested framing lumber , low voc materials such as carpet , painting and adhesives, indoor air purification, carbon monoxide and radon prevention methods, smart house controllability and monitoring of systems for maximum efficiency,  instant hot water system  and 2x6 perimeter framing to name a few. 

This Eco-House model will be completed in April 2010 and will be open to the public during the Green Building Expo sponsored by the Lynchburg Green Building Initiative and Lynchburg College on the weekend of May 22nd and 23rd.  The house will be open to the public by appointment only after the expo until August of 2010.  We invite all to come see it and learn more about these great homes and how we all can become better stewards of the environment.