Arielle C. Schechter, AIA

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

Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence

This residence was custom designed for prominent green builder Kevin Murphy of NewPhire Building and his family of 4. Special planning made sure that all the public rooms (kitchen, dining, living, decks and screen porch) plus ALL the bedrooms have direct southern light! Also the house was designed to allow a sound and visual separation between the public spaces and the bedrooms, allowing privacy and more usefulness of the spaces. And guess what? We even managed to give the Owners a courtyard too!

In addition to being a comfortable family home, this home also showcases cutting edge green building techniques.
As of this writing, the house is producing $22 MORE per month than it uses! That means it goes beyond Net Zero into NET POSITIVE! The house has earned National Green Building Standard "GOLD" rating.

The house is 2995 heated square feet, not including the porches and decks.
Our budget was TIGHT on this one, but we did it!


Project Year: 2015
Project Cost: $200,001 - $500,000
Country: United States
Zip Code: 27516
The east side of the house has a large screen porch extending into the grass meadow. Photo by Iman Woods
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The custom site built steel stairs have thick local wood treads. The stairs anchor the entry foyer and connect up to the kids' bedrooms and music loft above. Photo by Arielle Condoret Schechter, Architect, PLLC
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Family Residence
The kitchen is a galley modified U type allowing several people to work at the same time. The island is natural wood in contrast to the cabinets by Besh, which are gray stained aniline dyed flat panel. Photo by Iman Woods
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The front entry is framing with wood beams and deep sheltering overhangs. Photo by Iman Woods
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The interior of the great room looking toward the kitchen. Cabinets are by Besh and are gray aniline dyed plywood. Photo by Iman Woods
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The sculptural wood and steel open stairs is in the foyer. The stairs were welded on site and hand polished. Photo by Arielle Condoret Schechter, Architect, PLLC.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Family Residence
The kitchen is a modified U, with a galley on the right and a special "party counter" on the left for setting out buffets and drinks. The party counter has its own sink. The island is for snacking and homework. Cabinets by Besh. Photo by Iman Woods.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The custom steel staircase is a sculptural focal point in the foyer. The window behind the stairs is off of the courtyard. Photo by Iman Woods
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The Kitchen and Dining areas of the great room looking toward the fabulous "party counter" all ready to set up buffets and drinks. Cabinets by Besh. The Dining table is a reclaimed door. Photo by Iman Woods
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The kitchen "party counter" is shown with its own sink and plenty of counter space to accommodate the Owners' music sessions and family get togethers. There is a smoothie station on the right end of the party counter and open shelving for goblets on the left. Photo by Iman Woods
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
Photo by Arielle C Schechter, Architect
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The kitchen looking toward the great room beyond. The spaces are connected to allow for maximum family interaction. Photo by Arielle Schechter, Architect
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The screen porch on the east has deep sheltering overhangs to provide lots of shade and protection during the hot summer months. Easy access to the great room means the space will be used a lot. Photo by Arielle Schechter, Architect.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The living room end of the great room has immediate access to the screen porch on the east outside. Photo by Arielle Schechter, Architect.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The screen porch on the east also serves as a perfect outside dining terrace, with light and views on three sides. Duffy Healey, photographer.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The upstairs office and loft is off of the central staircase. Photo by Arielle Schechter, Architect
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The living area of the great room with tons of seating and access to the outdoors at several locations. Photo by Iman Woods.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The screen porch has room for both lounging and dining areas and is open to the view on three sides. Photo by Arielle Condoret Schechter, Architect, PLLC.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Family Residence
The upstairs loft will be the office in a few years, but for now serves as a perfect music room for the family. Photo by Iman Woods.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The entry foyer showcases the custom site built steel stair case which is off of the courtyard seen in the window behind. The foyer also allows the display of the family's musical instrument collection. Photo by Iman Woods.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The south elevation is shown here at dusk. The deck on the south wraps around and connects to the screen porch at right. Duffy Healey, photographer.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The little wood "bridge" to the screen porch allows connection from the master bedroom to the outside. Duffy Healey, photographer.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
Detail showing music area of loft. Photo by Arielle Condoret Schechter, Architect, PLLC.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Family Residence
The screen porch has plenty of room for lounging and dining. The little wood "bridge" beyond connects to the master bedroom. Duffy Healey, photographer.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The porch and dining terrace at dusk beckons the family to come out and eat outside. The porch is open to three sides to maximize the view and allow cross ventilation and access to breezes. Duffy Healey, photographer.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The open great room allows the family to showcase the many collections from their foreign travels. The floor is polished concrete. Duffy Healey, photographer.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The generous master bedroom has easy access to the outdoors with a door to the screen porch beyond and a large picture window to the courtyard. Duffy Healey, photographer.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The master bath has Carrera marble floor and wall tiles with built in niches in the shower. Frosted glass on the lower part of the window ensures privacy while allowing lots of daylight. Duffy Healey, photographer.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The double sink vanities of the master bath each have their own tall cabinet on the ends, allowing for tons of storage and reducing clutter. Cabinets are by Besh. Duffy Healey, photographer.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The second floor loft office also doubles as a music room. There is light from three sides, ensuring beautiful and cheerful daylighting. The floors are natural stained hickory. The stair rails are custom site built welded steel. Duffy Healey, photographer.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The living room allows for tons of seating, warmth from a wood stove, a media center AND access to the screen porch outside. Tall walls allow for display of the family's many collections from their travels. Duffy Healey, photographer.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
Duffy Healey
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The kitchen cabinets are stained gray. The island is natural wood. Cabinets by Besh. There is a view to the entry foyer beyond with its custom steel staircase. Duffy Healey, photographer.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The two kids in the family each got the EXACT same size bedroom, to prevent any complications! Both kids have two closets. The kids were each allowed to pick their own wall color. Duffy Healey, photographer.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence
The kids each have exact matching size rooms, to prevent any arguments! Each room has southern solar access and two closets. The kids got to pick their own colors. Hickory floors. Duffy Healey, photographer.
Murphy-Dunn Net Zero Residence