For more than 40 years, Southface Institute, a nonprofit 501(C)3 organization, has been a leader in the research, design and implementation of a regenerative economy, one that gives back more than it uses. Southface works in collaboration with a network of partner nonprofits, businesses, government agencies, universities and technical experts to implement sustainable, high-performance and scalable solutions in homes, workplaces and communities.

Our three overarching goals include:

Achieving climate mitigation and resilience at the intersection of the built and natural environments
Increasing health and equity through improvements to the built environment
Building the knowledge base and workforce to catalyze the transition to a regenerative economy

Please contact me for an in depth overview of Southface.

EarthCraft serves as a blueprint for energy, water and resource efficient buildings throughout the Southeast.

EarthCraft-certified properties provide the following advantages to their occupants.

Increased quality of life through improved air quality:
- EarthCraft-certified buildings provide healthier and safer indoor environments than traditional structures because they are designed to maximize indoor air quality and minimize exposure to airborne toxins and pollutants.
- Employees that work in EarthCraft-certified properties have cited an increased quality of life at work and improved
- performance and productivity.
- EarthCraft buildings have built-in ventilation systems that provide fresh air and reduce moisture and the potential of mold.
- Maintaining indoor comfort is ensured through a well-built, well-insulated building envelope, as well as a properly sized and installed heating and cooling system.
A smart financial decision for renters or homeowners.
- Building occupants save money from day one on utility bills through lower operating and maintenance costs.
- EarthCraft properties, especially homes, often spend fewer days on the market and have a higher resale value than comparable conventional homes and buildings.
Conservation of energy, water and natural resources:
- Materials that meet EarthCraft’s requirements are durable, low-maintenance, recycled and rapidly renewable.
- EarthCraft homes, on average, are 30% more energy-efficient, which can result in a reduction of over 1,100 pounds of greenhouse gases introduced into the atmosphere each year.
- EarthCraft properties conserve water through highly-efficient fixtures, reducing stormwater pollution.

EarthCraft Sustainable Preservation

Program Highlights

Sustainable building certification for historic commercial, multifamily and single-family residential structures
Combined historic preservation principles with energy and water efficiency standards
Third-party field verification and diagnostic testing
Modest project registration costs
Program designed and implemented by building science experts
Streamlined verification process