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The Silhouette luxury residential project in Brooklyn will be Energy Star labeled and LEED certified. NEW YORK – March 2, 2009 – The Green Envy Development Group announced today that The Silhouette residential project in Brooklyn will be completed by summer 2009. The Silhouette is one of New York City’s most ambitious and ecologically conscious new residential construction projects.

When finished, The Silhouette will become one of the city's first new residential buildings that is both Energy Star labeled and LEED certified. If it attains a Platinum LEED designation, as planned, it would become the first condominium project in New York City with that status. In addition, the building’s advanced green features, such as its state-of- the-art garden roof, solar panel array and new urban “community connectivity” make it among the most eco-friendly residential buildings in America.

“Bold, new advances in green construction methods have been applied at The Silhouette,” said Robert Roth, CEO of the Green Envy Development Group. “The Silhouette approaches sustainable living without sacrificing style and comfort. It offers a substantive preview of what will soon guide city dwellers towards a sustainable future.”
 
The project’s development team consists of Roth, Andrew Giancola of Giancola Contracting, Lawrence Vento of Ridge Iron Works, Robert S. Brown, CFO of The Silhouette, and Coggan & Crawford Architecture and Design.

The four-story 5,500-square-foot condominium building, located in Brooklyn’s Park Slope, features four luxury “green” residences. Project designers and architects used some of the most innovative and environmentally sustainable techniques, materials, and products available in both the basic construction and high-end interior finishes and features.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) developed the LEED rating system (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for environmentally sustainable construction. LEED certification provides nationally-accepted third-party certification that a building meets exacting standards for green building design. The project’s developers are following all LEED guidelines to attain the prestigious Platinum certification, the highest level attainable.

Energy Star labeling ensures that the building is more energy efficient than standard residential buildings, while respecting the health of the environment in the process.
 
On the exterior of the building, dark-colored bricks facing north absorb solar heat, keeping the building warmer on cold winter days. Light-colored bricks facing south reflect solar heat, keeping the building cooler on hot summer days. Triple glazed windows and double insulated exterior walls promote energy efficiency by minimizing the expenditure of energy for heating and cooling, and also reduce ambient noise. And five photovoltaic solar panels affixed to the center span of the roof generate enough electricity to heat the building’s common areas.

The Silhouette is accentuated by a state-of-the-art green roof that also serves as a rooftop garden that can accommodate foot traffic. The green roof is covered with plants and features an advanced drainage and irrigation system. The rooftop garden is not only attractive, but also insulates the apartment below, promoting maximum energy efficiency and reducing the “heat island” effect that occurs in urban settings. Spectacular rooftop views of the Statue of Liberty, New York City’s Harbor and Lower Manhattan add to the aesthetics.

For more information, visit www.thesilhouettecondos.com. To arrange an interview with one of the developers of The Silhouette project, please contact Curt Blakeney, Edge Public Relations, 480-628-1611 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .