Builders Select Tella Firma Foundations for First Phase of Homes in Whisper Valley, East Austin’s Newest Planned Development
Patented, elevated slab foundation utilizes latest technology to protect homes
(DALLAS and AUSTIN, TEXAS—Nov. 28, 2016) Pacesetter Homes and Avi Homes have selected Tella Firma Foundations to provide the foundation system for homes in phase one (237 lots) in East Austin’s new Whisper Valley planned community (www.whispervalleyaustin.com). The homes will be affordably priced between the upper $100s and $300s, and will be built using sustainable principles and technology, including geothermal heating and cooling, and Google Fiber 1GB Internet connectivity.
In many areas of Texas, active soils can cause foundation problems due to movement and settlement. By using a field-tested, patented process of elevating a slab-on-grade foundation using piers, Tella Firma creates a protective void between the ground and the foundation itself. This application isolates the slab from active soils and guards it from unexpected movement. It also significantly reduces the risk of cracks and movement in slabs that typically occur in later years in conventional soil injection treated foundations.
After much research on slab design, Pacesetter Homes selected the patented system to provide the highest performance for the foundations they are building. “The Tella Firma solution enables us to provide the most advanced foundation system to home buyers while maintaining an affordable home price,” said Tom Lynch, president of Pacesetter Homes. “While Whisper Valley is among the first planned communities to use this type of foundation for a significant number of homes, Austin has always been known as a leader in technology, and I believe our homes in this development will enhance that reputation.”
According to Darren Soltes, president of Avi Homes, “We remain committed to our goal of steady, responsible growth in the Austin market, and we are confident our new development in Whisper Valley will further illustrate our company’s commitment to leveraging innovation and technology in our growth, and to helping people create their dream homes in our communities.”
The Tella Firma foundation system is based on commercial engineering principles in practice for over 50 years. Tella Firma foundations utilize a green installation process to avoid the need for any type of chemical or water injection into the soil under the foundation. In addition, the air pocket created under the slab provides an insulation layer between the floor of the home and the ground.
“Pacesetter Homes and Avi Homes are examples of forward-thinking builders that recognize the value that a reliable foundation can bring to the construction and marketing of new homes,” said Jim Fontaine, CEO of Tella Firma. “We’re especially pleased to see this high-tech foundation used with production building methods at an affordable home price point.”
About Pacesetter Homes
Pacesetter Homes was launched by QUALICO in Austin, Texas, in 2007. QUALICO, founded in 1951, is one of the largest fully integrated, privately owned real estate companies in Western Canada. As a leader in the Austin new homes market, Pacesetter welcomes many Central Texans home each year. Award-winning designs, quality construction, and reliability serve as cornerstones for the Pacesetter brand.
About Avi Homes
Avi Homes is a Canadian-based home builder, founded in 1978, and has been active in Austin since 2006. They are experienced in single-family and multi-family housing construction in the Austin market.
About Tella Firma Foundations
Dallas-based Tella Firma is revolutionizing the way home foundations are built. Tella Firma gets its name from the Latin words meaning “strong home.” Foundations with the company’s product have been installed in residential and light commercial projects in Texas and Colorado, and the company continues to expand into new markets throughout the region. For additional information, visit tellafirma.com.
