The first of 14 custom homes broke ground some months ago at Riley Farm, a unique new development near Lake Lonely in Saratoga Springs. But developer Mike Phinney, owner of Phinney Design Group, said he would “be happy to take four or five years” to complete construction of the kind of “uniquely designed and sustainable homes” that Phinney is winning prestigious awards for.
“I am not just trying to kick out a subdivision,” he said. “The owner of the land, Kenneth Scott, wants to develop it in concert with nature.”
Scott is a scientist who has traveled the world as an expert in gene therapy and anti-aging technologies, Phinney said. Scott purchased the former working farm in the 1980s.“He has done his research and has high sustainability goals to make homes net zero,” said Phinney.
Phinney has been a leader and pioneer in the sustainable design movement since the mid-1990s. His firm focuses on environmentally responsible construction methods and is headquartered in a sustainable green building. When Scott approached him, Phinney didn’t sense a good match at first.
“As soon as he mentioned a subdivision, I thought, we don’t do generic houses that aren’t tied to a site and where the only thing that differentiates them is the paint color,” said Phinney. But after a few discussions, Scott convinced him their goals were aligned and told Phinney he wanted him to be the dedicated builder, designer and architect, Phinney said. “I think I turned him down three times,” he said. “But he is a unique client with a passion for real estate as well as the ways that habitat can affect health.”
Each Phinney home is custom designed for the owner, he said. The design process starts with analyzing the site, from zoning requirements to terrain and soil type to sun exposure, the latter being important for solar systems and interior light, as well as exterior design aesthetics.
The lots at Riley Farm are one-half acre and up to three acres. One parcel is 15 acres, which was dictated by the slope and natural features of the land.
