The Project:
Underhill is one of the first green-roof homes in New Jersey: it will conserve energy, reduce stormwater runoff, and preserve habitat for plants and animals. Designed to support a full 12" of earth on its roof, it goes beyond simple green roofing to allow a full restoration of landscape over the top of it: shrubs, small trees, and other plants native to its woodland location. Sitting deep in a hillside, it has relatively low exposed walls - and those are built of native stone that we gathered on-site. For more information visit BuildUnderhill.com.
Phase 1 of the project was built with our own hands, our own muscles and sweat, the help of friends, and $175,000 of our own money. We're past the halfway point in construction. Now begins Phase 2: well, septic, roof completion, doors and windows, waterproofing, and habitat restoration. Many of these elements are things we can't do ourselves (we don't know how to drill a 250' deep well!). We need $80,000 for this phase, and that's the challenge: because we're self-employed people building an innovative home, we can't get a bank loan to complete the project. That's why we're turning to you.
The Impact
By joining the project, you become part of a bigger picture. You're not only building a home that conserves energy, minimizes stormwater runoff, reduces the urban heat island effect, and maximizes habitat for plants & animals. You're also making it a little easier for the next green builder. Because next time, a bank can say, "Yes, we know this type of architecture. There's a house like that nearby - yes, we'll finance your green-roof home."
A little more about us:
I’m Jim Reilly, the owner and architect of Underhill. I drew the plans, and I work as general contractor on the project, in addition to doing most of the day-to-day construction. By profession, I’m an actor. In 2010 I married Nancy Candea.
Nancy is a yoga therapist and personal trainer. She trains yoga teachers to work in prisons, shelters, senior centers, and veterans' hospitals, through the nonprofit she founded, Yoga Impact. Nancy is the brains behind this indiegogo campaign, and she’s designed perks for you that will support your health and wellness. The friends that have helped us so far are actors, a director, two accountants, an auto mechanic, a physical therapist, a sales rep, and a CEO.
Underhill is the biggest dream of my life, the dream to which all other plans and goals come second. I have no greater dream than to build Underhill and serve the world by so doing.
Visit BuildUnderhill.com for architectural plans, photos, and an itemized cost breakdown of Phase 2. I’ve also included some “war stories” about the surprises and challenges during construction. Underhill will be our home, but this isn’t just our dream. This is a house that will make the world better.
What We Need
We need $80,000 to complete Phase 2 and enclose the house. (We have some great perks for you - see sidebar). These funds will complete the structural roof, drill the well, install the septic system, place the soil and vegetation on the roof, finish the exterior grading, and put in the doors and windows. Some of this work must be done by contractors (well, septic, earthmoving). For much of it, though, your support goes only to materials, and the labor will ours: Jim’s, Nancy’s, and our friends & neighbors. When Phase 2 completes, the house will be ready for interior finishing. Visit BuildUnderhill.com’s “Cost Breakdown” page for the itemized budget.
Other Ways You Can Help
If you have building materials to donate, contact us at BuildUnderhill@gmail.com It may be just the thing we need!
And please let your friends know about our campaign - we have just 45 days to complete our campaign, so that we can launch Phase 2 construction on January 1, 2014.