Mirabella earns more recognition for energy-efficient home design

Since its inception a little more than two years ago, the Mirabella at Village Green subdivision has longed to go green.

For the second time this summer, Mirabella has been honored for its efforts in energy-efficient home design and sustainability.

Billed as one of Manatee County’s leading active-adult communities, Mirabella Florida won a Silver Aurora Award for displaying environmental stewardship in energy-efficient home building for the second straight year.

“Mirabella’s ongoing efforts surrounding energy-efficient homes and commitment to the environment has brought only the most positive level of attention to the community,” Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston said in a news release.

In June, the United States Green Building Council awarded the first 70 completed and occupied homes in the 55-plus community with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum certification. Platinum is the highest level of certification, with Mirabella among the few residential communities across the country to receive the designation.

Marshall Gobuty, the president and developer of Mirabella Florida, has long promoted the West Bradenton community’s sustainable model as a way to separate itself from the competition.

Earning LEED certification and winning a second straight Silver Aurora Award will bolster those efforts, he said.

“This recognition is the direct result of our designing and building the best and most energy-efficient, high-quality homes that make a positive impact on our active adult community and the environment,” Gobuty said. “We’re honored to be the only home builder in all of Bradenton to be recognized in this year’s list.”

The Aurora Awards included entries in 58 categories for attached and detached housing designs, including interior design, detailing, custom and reuse and renovation work. Also honored were various commercial, recreational and specialty buildings, as well as land planning achievements.

In May, Gobuty announced plans for Hunters Point, a new community he hopes to develop in Cortez. The development would have 148 “cracker” cottages designed to bring “a modern, environmentally respectful and energy-efficient fishing village style community,” to the area.

The cottages would have roughly 400 square feet of interior space with more via roof and wrap-around decking. The small-house concept is meant to appeal to retirees who want less space to manage as well as the millennial generation.

This story was originally published August 9, 2017 at 2:14 PM with the headline "Mirabella earns more recognition for energy-efficient home design."