Arielle C. Schechter, AIA

Home Improvement Professionals , Architects & Building Designers , Accessory Dwelling Units , Home Remodeling , Home Additions , Universal Design , Basement Remodeling
30 Reviews
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Arielle C. Schechter, AIA
30 Reviews

Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House

The Helfaer residence, currently under construction, was designed to be a warm, modern residence that is also super energy efficient. This house is designed to US Passive House standards, one of the strictest energy standards in the world. The walls are prefab insulated concrete panels, built offsite in two days and assembled on site in another 2 days with the help of a crane.

We are also qualifying for the National Green Builder's Standard "Emerald" rating- the highest standard possible; US Department of Energy Challenge Home; Energy Star; Net Zero Energy; HERS rating of ZERO! ; and will have a rainwater cistern for almost 100% roof capture.

Warm, Modern and Green -- all in one!





Country: United States
Zip Code: 27312
The front elevation facing north with its very modernist and even mid century modern lines. Arielle C. Schechter, photographer.
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
The south view at dawn shows the porch elements which connect the house with the outside. © 2020PHOTO-VIDEO.COM
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
The kitchen floor is cork, with stainless steel appliances and natural maple cabinetry. The cabinetry is all zero VOC plywood. The counters are granite. © 2020PHOTO-VIDEO.COM
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
South elevation at dawn showing the many doors that connect directly to the outside and the upper garden. Arielle C. Schechter, photographer.
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
The custom door and window assembly designed by Arielle Schechter for the clients. © 2020PHOTO-VIDEO.COM
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
The porch in the fall is framed by plumes of pink mushily grass. A direct connection to the outdoors was a direct driver of the design. Arielle C. Schechter, photographer.
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
The kitchen is tucked in facing the north where there is a good view of visitors coming to the house. The floor is cork to provide a more cushioned flooring for the Owners. © 2020PHOTO-VIDEO.COM
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
The living room with its feature window wall to the south and a full bookcase and media wall on the west side. © 2020PHOTO-VIDEO.COM
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
A detail of the water garden and the custom roof scupper designed by Arielle Schechter to catch rainwater and feed the pond. © Allen Weiss
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
The view of the custom window wall on the south in the living room and where it connects to steps down to the meadow. © Allen Weiss
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
The porch and screen porch on the south extend "out into the view" to connect even more with the landscape. © 2020PHOTO-VIDEO.COM
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
The custom wood window and door wall on the south designed by Arielle Schechter. © Allen Weiss
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
The living room is next to the kitchen/dining area, with bookcases punctuating the spaces throughout. © Allen Weiss
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
Window detail at the master bedroom. The master has its own door and direct access to the terrace and water garden. © Allen Weiss
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
The house is designed around a small, intimate courtyard which provides daylight to many of the rooms, as well as a view to the little garden started by the Owners. © Allen Weiss
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
A detail of the custom window and door wall designed by Arielle Schechter, AIA showing the operable casement within the view panels. © Allen Weiss
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
The back wall in the master bedroom was sheathed in reclaimed sinker cypress from an NC river. The wall hung book cubes and side tables were designed by Arielle Schechter, AIA. © Allen Weiss
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
A tiny window on the west provides a cozy detail and small view from inside for peeking out. © Allen Weiss
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
The custom scuppers designed by Arielle Schechter, feed rain chains and carry rainwater to two underground cisterns for watering the garden during droughts. © Allen Weiss
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
This rendering of the house is by Arielle Schechter, AIA and was used during the 2014 Green Home Tour.
Happy Meadows Courtyard House
This rendering by Arielle Schechter, AIA shows the original concept of multiple trellises and the connecting water garden.
Happy Meadows Courtyard House
Before
Prefabricated concrete exterior walls were built off site in only two days. They were installed in another two days with the help of a crane. The wall is a sandwhich panel of exterior concrete with EPS foam on the inside.
Happy Meadows Courtyard House
A good view of the glass door that leads from the master bedroom directly to the water garden terrace outside on the south. On a fall or spring day, the clients leave the doors open to catch a beautiful south breeze. A corner window nook provides a cozy spot to read a book. Custom wall hung side...
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
A view of the interior courtyard from the cozy window seat with its built in bookcases. Photo by ©Iman Woods
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
Right outside the master bedroom is a small water garden fed by rooftop rainwater. The overflow spills down into a wildlife pool below to give visiting birds and frogs a cool drink. Photo by ©Iman Woods
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
Deep sheltering roof overhangs keep the house cool in summer and also protect the windows and exterior walls from excess rain. ©Iman Woods
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
The southern porch reaches out into the landscape and its deep overhangs provide great shelter for sitting and enjoying the view and the big sky. Photo by ©Iman Woods
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House
The screen porch's butterfly roof collects rainwater for the small water garden and the overflow to the wildlife pool below. Photo by ©Iman Woods
Happy Meadows Courtyard House - Net Zero Passive House