This is a sponsored column by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. She writes twice weekly on Reston Now.

Nestled just across the street from South Lakes Village Center and Lake Thoreau is one of Reston’s many gems.

Solaridge Cluster features 35 south-facing solar patio homes with novel design features that allow plenty of natural light to brighten the living areas.

One of the most interesting features of the Solaridge homes (especially on a cold winter day as I write this) are the solar attics with large, south-facing windows that collect heat, with a blower and duct system bringing the warmth down to the living levels.

The homes are built with natural cedar siding, and feature open floorplans and expansive decks and patios, both superb for entertaining and casual living. Of the 35 homes, 29 are two-story models; the six homes on the east side of the cluster have walk-out basements.

Despite the large windows, these single-family homes are very private. Your neighbors are close (and it is, in fact, a very tight-knit neighborhood), but inside your home you feel like you’re miles away from everything.

Built by Warren Katz’s Felix Construction, this 30-year-old cluster is close to shopping, trails, the Reston Regional Golf Course, the Toll Road, and the Wiehle-Reston East Silver Line Metro stop.