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We see a host of jealousy-evoking things everyday here at Inhabitat, and now we can add these state of the art townhomes, each with their own sloping green roof, to the list. The award-winning houses, dubbed Bancroft Green ^[6], make up the first and so far only, sustainable multi-home development in Center City, PA. Not only are the homes decked out with all of the latest high-end finishes, they're also shooting for LEED® Platinum ^[7] certification and considering their gorgeous planted roofs, geothermal heating and cooling and use of a host of recycled materials, we'd say they're well on their way!

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Bancroft Green was developed by the multi-talented Seibert brothers ^[8], G.C. and Scott, who are well-known on the Philly green home building scene. The sustainable-minded siblings scouted a series of vacant lots for the development, so the buildings serve as efficient urban infill ^[9] instead of taking up valuable land that could have been used for other purposes.

The verdant roof, which was designed and installed by Green Roof Works ^[10], acts as a barrier to UV rays, increasing the life of the roof, not to mention probably promoting the health and well-being of the residents who get to look at it everyday. Instead of lying flat, the sedum and succulent-planted plots are slanted towards each townhome, giving the illusion of a grassy green hill right outside the window. The plants also reduce heat-gain, keeping the homes cooler and capture storm-water runoff.

Inside the Bancroft, geothermal HVAC systems pump up energy-efficiency and push down owners’ electricity bills, something the Seibert brothers pride themselves on greatly. The homes also boast heat recovery ventilators, dual-flush toilets and low-flow fixtures. And to take it a step even further, the bricks for the facades and stoops are all re-used and even the rubber rooftop and backyard pavers are recycled ^[11] from old tires, and were produced locally in Lancaster County.

+ Green Roof Works ^[10]

+ Bancroft Green ^[6]