• The Elements of Greenville | 19 Environmentally Friendly Townhomes & Condominiums | 350 Mohawk Drive

To contribute to the health of the environment - both locally and globally - The Elements utilizes materials and development practices that maximize sustainability.

porous concrete
The Elements uses porous concrete in all parking spaces of the community. Unlike traditional concrete, porous concrete offers a number of environmental advantages:

Reduces flooding and replenishes the local water table. Tiny holes allow rain water to behave as it would naturally - filtering through to directly recharge groundwater, maintain aquifer levels and channel water to tree roots and landscaping.
Reduces pollution. Prevents runoff into storm sewers and local watersheds, which can carry pollution and contaminate rivers and streams and harm sensitive ecosystems.
Reduces the urban heat island effect. The light colored and open celled nature of the material doesn’t absorb heat and radiate it back like traditional concrete and asphalt.

recycling center
A community recycling area will provide an additional container dedicated to recyclable paper materials.

community gardens
Approximately 2,000 square feet will be reserved for homeowner gardens. Each homeowner will have 10'x10' raised bed to grow herbs, vegetables or other plants. Irrigation for community gardens is provided through a gravity-fed cistern, located just above the gardens. The cistern collects rainwater runoff from the condominium roof and holds 1,100 gallons of water in a covered tank. Homeowners can use this water to irrigate their individual gardens.

sustainable landscaping
Great care has been taken to ensure the health and sustainability of The Elements landscape:

Saving or incorporating trees. A large number of trees were reserved in the planning of the community, and many of those removed were milled for use in construction of the homes.
Saving plants. Many plants that were disturbed during construction were collected as part of a plant save and transplanted for final neighborhood landscaping.
Use of native plants. Native plants were used throughout the landscape because they are vigorous and hardy, require little or no irrigation or fertilization and are resistant to most diseases and pests. They also help maintain a natural balance, providing food and shelter for desirable wildlife.

butterfly garden
The neighborhood butterfly garden also uses native plants - including zinnias, sage, milkweeds and sunflowers - to attract healthy butterfly populations. In addition to their beauty, butterflies attract and sustain healthy populations of insects and organisms, as well as provide food for birds, lizards and mammals that help control garden pests.