Green and Gold
A whole-house remodel that sets a standard for an environmentally friendly home and office environment that would be comfortable for everyday living, entertaining and working without commuting—and still remain true to the architecture of its neighborhood.
The challenges included adding additional square footage while maintaining the existing footprint, maintaining a Craftsman style while maximizing green alternatives, and balance cost against desire to utilize green materials. The remodel protected existing, valuable mature trees, and added a semi-permeable driveway to improve environmental soundness and drainage. Mature trees' protection help the home keep its cool; durable and low-VOC exterior paint needs little maintenance. Best of all: Nothing shouts 'new remodel' - its size and balanced design fit in with the established neighborhood.
The foyer’s open spaces appeal to all the sense: Formaldehyde-free plywood for subfloors and low-VOC paints improve indoor air quality throughout the home. Flooring throughout is cork, bamboo and salvaged hardwoods. The house design coupled with a whole-house attic fan keeps temperatures steady and all but eliminates air-conditioner energy. In the kitchen, appliances such as the stainless range are Energy Star rated for their efficiency.
Silestone quartz counters are strong, heat-resistant, need no sealing and have the glow of natural stone. An eat-in table with contemporary stools doubles as a prep island when needed. The floor, with a visually appealing diamond pattern, is Marmoluem, a surface made primarily of cork and linseed oil. Flexible, comfortable, and colorful, it’s easy to clean and naturally dust-free and bactericidal. Salvaged hardwood floors and low energy lighting in the dining room prove that care for the environment and attention to the cost of energy can harmonize with any style.
In remodeling the bath, we used low VOC caulks, solvents and glues, for healthier air quality for workers and residents alike. The shower’s gleaming artisan-quality tile is about 75% recycled glass. The bath’s insulation is all clean cotton – a product made of recycled blue jeans. Cabinets are bamboo – a renewable, formaldehyde-free resource.
The tankless water heater means homeowners never run out of hot water, no matter how many showers are taken – yet it saves up to 2/3 the gas and last about 30 years. Low-E glass windows – which are coated to minimize heat or cooling loss – are placed for optimum light and energy efficiency. To create an unobtrusive swath of solar panels, we engineered a new roofline that still fits in with the architecture and the neighborhood. Meanwhile, the rest of the roof is long-lasting Kynar reflective metal, designed to last and keep its cool all summer long.
The challenges included adding additional square footage while maintaining the existing footprint, maintaining a Craftsman style while maximizing green alternatives, and balance cost against desire to utilize green materials. The remodel protected existing, valuable mature trees, and added a semi-permeable driveway to improve environmental soundness and drainage. Mature trees' protection help the home keep its cool; durable and low-VOC exterior paint needs little maintenance. Best of all: Nothing shouts 'new remodel' - its size and balanced design fit in with the established neighborhood.
The foyer’s open spaces appeal to all the sense: Formaldehyde-free plywood for subfloors and low-VOC paints improve indoor air quality throughout the home. Flooring throughout is cork, bamboo and salvaged hardwoods. The house design coupled with a whole-house attic fan keeps temperatures steady and all but eliminates air-conditioner energy. In the kitchen, appliances such as the stainless range are Energy Star rated for their efficiency.
Silestone quartz counters are strong, heat-resistant, need no sealing and have the glow of natural stone. An eat-in table with contemporary stools doubles as a prep island when needed. The floor, with a visually appealing diamond pattern, is Marmoluem, a surface made primarily of cork and linseed oil. Flexible, comfortable, and colorful, it’s easy to clean and naturally dust-free and bactericidal. Salvaged hardwood floors and low energy lighting in the dining room prove that care for the environment and attention to the cost of energy can harmonize with any style.
In remodeling the bath, we used low VOC caulks, solvents and glues, for healthier air quality for workers and residents alike. The shower’s gleaming artisan-quality tile is about 75% recycled glass. The bath’s insulation is all clean cotton – a product made of recycled blue jeans. Cabinets are bamboo – a renewable, formaldehyde-free resource.
The tankless water heater means homeowners never run out of hot water, no matter how many showers are taken – yet it saves up to 2/3 the gas and last about 30 years. Low-E glass windows – which are coated to minimize heat or cooling loss – are placed for optimum light and energy efficiency. To create an unobtrusive swath of solar panels, we engineered a new roofline that still fits in with the architecture and the neighborhood. Meanwhile, the rest of the roof is long-lasting Kynar reflective metal, designed to last and keep its cool all summer long.
Country: United States
