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This small home for empty-nest owners of Showcase Renovation represents the epitome of collaboration between architect and builder. Compact single level living with a panoramic lake view was the catalyst for design. Primary living spaces align under a vaulted profile that draws light from above, while ceiling heights and floor levels vary to introduce drama and intimacy in just over 1300 square feet. Construction details accommodate continuous exterior insulation and expansive bands of glass.
Construction by Showcase Renovation
Photographs by Troy Thies

The design of this home was driven by the owners’ desire for a three-bedroom waterfront home that showcased the spectacular views and park-like setting. As nature lovers, they wanted their home to be organic, minimize any environmental impact on the sensitive site and embrace nature.
This unique home is sited on a high ridge with a 45° slope to the water on the right and a deep ravine on the left. The five-acre site is completely wooded and tree preservation was a major emphasis. Very few trees were removed and special care was taken to protect the trees and environment throughout the project. To further minimize disturbance, grades were not changed and the home was designed to take full advantage of the site’s natural topography. Oak from the home site was re-purposed for the mantle, powder room counter and select furniture.
The visually powerful twin pavilions were born from the need for level ground and parking on an otherwise challenging site. Fill dirt excavated from the main home provided the foundation. All structures are anchored with a natural stone base and exterior materials include timber framing, fir ceilings, shingle siding, a partial metal roof and corten steel walls. Stone, wood, metal and glass transition the exterior to the interior and large wood windows flood the home with light and showcase the setting. Interior finishes include reclaimed heart pine floors, Douglas fir trim, dry-stacked stone, rustic cherry cabinets and soapstone counters.
Exterior spaces include a timber-framed porch, stone patio with fire pit and commanding views of the Occoquan reservoir. A second porch overlooks the ravine and a breezeway connects the garage to the home.
Numerous energy-saving features have been incorporated, including LED lighting, on-demand gas water heating and special insulation. Smart technology helps manage and control the entire house.
Greg Hadley Photography

Cavity wall insulation
Energy-efficient homes are insulated from roof to foundation, but only newly built homes may have this level of protection. If your home lacks built-in insulation, wall insulation is your next priority after attic insulation.
Cellulose cavity wall benefits:
Made from recycled materials - better for environment and health
No fiberglass content (which can increase cancer risk and cause irritation)
Blown cellulose fills cracks and crevices for seamless barriers
Reduces fire risk and mold growth
Treated with boric acid that repels insects and rodents
Professional installation:
We use specialist equipment to blow treated cellulose insulation into both internal and external wall cavities. Installation method and expertise are critical to performance.
Long-term value:
Properly installed cellulose cavity wall insulation provides thermal efficiency, soundproofing, and fire resistance for your home's lifetime.
Find the right local pro for your project

Photography by Jim Tetro
This house, built in the 1960s, sits southfacing on a terrific wooded lot in Bethesda, Maryland.
The owners desire a whole-house renovation which would improve the general building fabric and systems, and extend the sense of living out of doors in all seasons.
The original sixties-modern character is preserved and the renovation extends the design forward into a contemporary, modern approach. Connections to and through the site are enhanced through the creation of new larger window and door openings.
Screened porches and decks perch above the sloped and wooded site. The new kitchen and bathrooms allow for opportunities to feel out-of -doors while preparing, cooking, dining, and bathing.
Smart passive strategies guide the environmental choices for this project, including envelope improvements, updated mechanical systems, and on-site stormwater management.

Walkout rambler with fully accessible main floor on a large lot overlooking wetlands. Beautiful Alder woodwork, rear deck, sunroom with barn style doors, fireplace in great room with flat screen TV and ceramic tile wall, in-floor heat in lower level, 3' doors on main level, hardwood floors & landscaping with underground sprinkling. 9' ceilings on the main. Association with Deer Creek pool. Large triple insulated garage.

ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) created this modern home for a progressive family in the desirable community of Lexington.
Thoughtful Land Connection. The residence is carefully sited on the infill lot so as to create privacy from the road and neighbors, while cultivating a side yard that captures the southern sun. The terraced grade rises to meet the house, allowing for it to maintain a structured connection with the ground while also sitting above the high water table. The elevated outdoor living space maintains a strong connection with the indoor living space, while the stepped edge ties it back to the true ground plane. Siting and outdoor connections were completed by ZED in collaboration with landscape designer Soren Deniord Design Studio.
Exterior Finishes and Solar. The exterior finish materials include a palette of shiplapped wood siding, through-colored fiber cement panels and stucco. A rooftop parapet hides the solar panels above, while a gutter and site drainage system directs rainwater into an irrigation cistern and dry wells that recharge the groundwater.
Cooking, Dining, Living. Inside, the kitchen, fabricated by Henrybuilt, is located between the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The expansive south-facing sliding door opens to seamlessly connect the spaces, using a retractable awning to provide shade during the summer while still admitting the warming winter sun. The indoor living space continues from the dining areas across to the sunken living area, with a view that returns again to the outside through the corner wall of glass.
Accessible Guest Suite. The design of the first level guest suite provides for both aging in place and guests who regularly visit for extended stays. The patio off the north side of the house affords guests their own private outdoor space, and privacy from the neighbor. Similarly, the second level master suite opens to an outdoor private roof deck.
Light and Access. The wide open interior stair with a glass panel rail leads from the top level down to the well insulated basement. The design of the basement, used as an away/play space, addresses the need for both natural light and easy access. In addition to the open stairwell, light is admitted to the north side of the area with a high performance, Passive House (PHI) certified skylight, covering a six by sixteen foot area. On the south side, a unique roof hatch set flush with the deck opens to reveal a glass door at the base of the stairwell which provides additional light and access from the deck above down to the play space.
Energy. Energy consumption is reduced by the high performance building envelope, high efficiency mechanical systems, and then offset with renewable energy. All windows and doors are made of high performance triple paned glass with thermally broken aluminum frames. The exterior wall assembly employs dense pack cellulose in the stud cavity, a continuous air barrier, and four inches exterior rigid foam insulation. The 10kW rooftop solar electric system provides clean energy production. The final air leakage testing yielded 0.6 ACH 50 - an extremely air tight house, a testament to the well-designed details, progress testing and quality construction. When compared to a new house built to code requirements, this home consumes only 19% of the energy.
Architecture & Energy Consulting: ZeroEnergy Design
Landscape Design: Soren Deniord Design
Paintings: Bernd Haussmann Studio
Photos: Eric Roth Photography

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations

.....where new, hip young homeowners have rediscovered this midcentury modern gem and made it fit their own lifestyle.
Design ideas for a mid-century modern landscaping in Charlotte.
Design ideas for a mid-century modern landscaping in Charlotte.

Photo by Ross van Pelt
This custom entry to the new wine room was fabricated by Pella Doors & Windows who made custom sized insulated doors. The triple glass opens the wine room up to the rest of the lower level as a showpiece

Garage Door Models 8000, 8100, and 8200 are Wayne Dalton's basic, entry level steel garage doors. The Model 8000 is an non-insulated, single steel sheet door while the Models 8100 and 8200 are insulated with polystyrene insulation. The 8200 has an R-value* of 7.4 while the 8100 has an R-value of 3.7. The embossed panel designs and optional decorative windows add charm and appeal to your home. For those living in coastal areas or parts of the country with high wind requirements, the Models 8000 and 8100 are available with wind load reinforcement.
Find your nearest Wayne Dalton dealer on our website for additional product information including pricing.

OVERVIEW
Set into a mature Boston area neighborhood, this sophisticated 2900SF home offers efficient use of space, expression through form, and myriad of green features.
MULTI-GENERATIONAL LIVING
Designed to accommodate three family generations, paired living spaces on the first and second levels are architecturally expressed on the facade by window systems that wrap the front corners of the house. Included are two kitchens, two living areas, an office for two, and two master suites.
CURB APPEAL
The home includes both modern form and materials, using durable cedar and through-colored fiber cement siding, permeable parking with an electric charging station, and an acrylic overhang to shelter foot traffic from rain.
FEATURE STAIR
An open stair with resin treads and glass rails winds from the basement to the third floor, channeling natural light through all the home’s levels.
LEVEL ONE
The first floor kitchen opens to the living and dining space, offering a grand piano and wall of south facing glass. A master suite and private ‘home office for two’ complete the level.
LEVEL TWO
The second floor includes another open concept living, dining, and kitchen space, with kitchen sink views over the green roof. A full bath, bedroom and reading nook are perfect for the children.
LEVEL THREE
The third floor provides the second master suite, with separate sink and wardrobe area, plus a private roofdeck.
ENERGY
The super insulated home features air-tight construction, continuous exterior insulation, and triple-glazed windows. The walls and basement feature foam-free cavity & exterior insulation. On the rooftop, a solar electric system helps offset energy consumption.
WATER
Cisterns capture stormwater and connect to a drip irrigation system. Inside the home, consumption is limited with high efficiency fixtures and appliances.
TEAM
Architecture & Mechanical Design – ZeroEnergy Design
Contractor – Aedi Construction
Photos – Eric Roth Photography

The biggest improvements in energy efficiency included a drop in 10 air changes per hour, the choice to put in a new heating system for both levels and to insulate the basement well. A radiant hydronic heating system was installed, which doubled as an on-demand water heater. This installation helped save a significant portion of the budget, which was reallocated to help stabilize the home's foundation.
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