Green neighbor

New home in Decatur historic district fits in seamlessly and has LEED Platinum certification.

A simple design and thorough planning is all it takes to create a green home, according to homeowner and builder Carl Seville.

Carl has worked as a green building consultant for more than 20 years, and he and his wife Kate Seville built their home in the Decatur Historic District in 2017, creating an incredibly efficient and environmentally friendly home that fits seamlessly with the historic homes that surround it. Details like ductless air conditioning, great insulation and a centrally located water heater drastically cut down on the energy and water waste of the home.

“It’s a matter of thoughtful design, following instructions and quality construction, and you’ve got a green building,” said Carl. According to him, his design for his home basically consisted of an airtight box. “Don’t make a really complicated design,” he said.

Even the Sevilles’ yard is extra green, opting for native plants rather than a lawn, which would require energy to mow, fertilizers that are bad for the environment and water waste in irrigation. Also, their driveway is pervious paving, made from a porous material that allows water to pass through rather than run off the lot.

The couple worked with architect Thomas Hood and project manager Kurt Ptacek to create their green home. The house has been awarded a LEED Platinum certification, Decatur Historic Preservation Commission Award, Outstanding Single-Family Project of 2017 by U.S. Green Building Council and more.

PHOTOS BY REYNOLDS ROGERS/ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION Art by Lea Ann Slotkin through Trinity Mercantile & Design hangs above the bed in Carl and Kate Seville’s cheery guest bedroom. A headboard and bedding from Kate’s daughter’s old bedroom add more color to the space, as do curtains, which were altered to fit the space by Mary Dwan through Trinity Mercantile & Design.

Homeowners Kate and Carl Seville worked with Andrew T Crawford Ironworks, who created a beautiful climbing sculpture on the westfacing side of their home.

The screened-in porch of Kate and Carl Seville’s Decatur home is one of their favorite spaces in the house. Surrounded by vegetation and equipped with fans to keep it cool, the porch is a retreat even on hotter days. The couple likes to serve appetizers on the porch when they entertain, or spend an evening reading on the teak furniture by Kingsley Bate.

White tiles in the backsplash of Kate and Carl Seville’s kitchen provide a glossy backdrop for their beloved Bosch induction cooktop. “I have had to use electric stoves in the past, and I wasn’t necessarily a big fan of them, but the induction cooktop I absolutely love,” said Kate.

Kate and Carl Seville built their home in the Decatur Historic District in 2017. Kate is a project manager, and Carl is a green building consultant. As such, Carl was able to make sure their home was very energy efficient and fit the standards of the Decatur Historic District.