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

In the middle of the Australian desert this airport for a gold mine is designed based on three Aboriginal Symbols: Person – represented in the curved shape of the lounge building. Sand Hills – represented by the sitting area. Boomerang – shown in the parking and represented by the coming and going of passengers between the parking area and mine village. Additional, internally the building represents the interior of an airplane. After a useful life serving the mining community, the building can be disassembled into 38 similar pieces of thermally insulated pre-stressed concrete. In addition, the macro truss made from steel is easily movable to another site to restart a new service cycle. The structure is a self-supporting structure (without the use of columns), is removable, includes non-fixed portable interiors (including bathrooms) and can be 90% recycled for new use. For the environmental performance, the lounge is designed to not produce sewage. It is achieved by using a system of dry toilets, the energy will be taken from solar panels with ClearVue PV technology located in the double-glazed curtain wall. A ‘Canadian well’ merged with air cooling by a pressure change will be used to generate passive ventilation with the benefit of producing no greenhouse gases. The concrete will not be painted but instead hardeners will be used for the floor. The doors will be "Trend Windows Low E Glass Sliding door" rated at no air infiltration for airflow through a closed door.

This Boulder, Colorado remodel by fuentesdesign demonstrates the possibility of renewal in American suburbs, and Passive House design principles. Once an inefficient single story 1,000 square-foot ranch house with a forced air furnace, has been transformed into a two-story, solar powered 2500 square-foot three bedroom home ready for the next generation. The new design for the home is modern with a sustainable theme, incorporating a palette of natural materials including; reclaimed wood finishes, FSC-certified pine Zola windows and doors, and natural earth and lime plasters that soften the interior and crisp contemporary exterior with a flavor of the west. A Ninety-percent efficient energy recovery fresh air ventilation system provides constant filtered fresh air to every room. The existing interior brick was removed and replaced with insulation. The remaining heating and cooling loads are easily met with the highest degree of comfort via a mini-split heat pump, the peak heat load has been cut by a factor of 4, despite the house doubling in size. During the coldest part of the Colorado winter, a wood stove for ambiance and low carbon back up heat creates a special place in both the living and kitchen area, and upstairs loft. This ultra energy efficient home relies on extremely high levels of insulation, air-tight detailing and construction, and the implementation of high performance, custom made European windows and doors by Zola Windows. Zola’s ThermoPlus Clad line, which boasts R-11 triple glazing and is thermally broken with a layer of patented German Purenit®, was selected for the project. These windows also provide a seamless indoor/outdoor connection, with 9′ wide folding doors from the dining area and a matching 9′ wide custom countertop folding window that opens the kitchen up to a grassy court where mature trees provide shade and extend the living space during the summer months. With air-tight construction, this home meets the Passive House Retrofit (EnerPHit) air-tightness standard of

This ultra-modern desert home is an impressive feat of engineering, architectural design, and efficiency – especially considering the almost 23,000 square feet of living space. The A7 Series aluminum windows with triple-pane glazing were paired with custom-designed Ultra Lift and Slide doors to provide comfort, efficiency, and seamless design integration of fenestration products. Triple pane glazing units with high-performance spacers, low iron glass, multiple air seals, and a continuous thermal break make these windows and doors incomparable to the traditional aluminum window and door products of the past. Not to mention – these large-scale sliding doors have been fitted with motors hidden in the ceiling, which allow the doors to open flush into wall pockets at the press of a button. This seamless aluminum door system is a true custom solution for a homeowner that wanted the largest expanses of glass possible to disappear from sight with minimal effort. The enormous doors slide completely out of view, allowing the interior and exterior to blur into a single living space. By integrating the ultra-modern desert home into the surrounding landscape, this residence is able to adapt and evolve as the seasons change – providing a comfortable, beautiful, and luxurious environment all year long.

The A7 Series aluminum windows with triple-pane glazing were paired with custom-designed Ultra Lift and Slide doors to provide comfort, efficiency, and seamless design integration of fenestration products. Triple pane glazing units with high-performance spacers, low iron glass, multiple air seals, and a continuous thermal break make these windows and doors incomparable to the traditional aluminum window and door products of the past. Not to mention – these large-scale sliding doors have been fitted with motors hidden in the ceiling, which allow the doors to open flush into wall pockets at the press of a button. This seamless aluminum door system is a true custom solution for a homeowner that wanted the largest expanses of glass possible to disappear from sight with minimal effort. The enormous doors slide completely out of view, allowing the interior and exterior to blur into a single living space. By integrating the ultra-modern desert home into the surrounding landscape, this residence is able to adapt and evolve as the seasons change – providing a comfortable, beautiful, and luxurious environment all year long.

The A7 Series aluminum windows with triple-pane glazing were paired with custom-designed Ultra Lift and Slide doors to provide comfort, efficiency, and seamless design integration of fenestration products. Triple pane glazing units with high-performance spacers, low iron glass, multiple air seals, and a continuous thermal break make these windows and doors incomparable to the traditional aluminum window and door products of the past. Not to mention – these large-scale sliding doors have been fitted with motors hidden in the ceiling, which allow the doors to open flush into wall pockets at the press of a button. This seamless aluminum door system is a true custom solution for a homeowner that wanted the largest expanses of glass possible to disappear from sight with minimal effort. The enormous doors slide completely out of view, allowing the interior and exterior to blur into a single living space. By integrating the ultra-modern desert home into the surrounding landscape, this residence is able to adapt and evolve as the seasons change – providing a comfortable, beautiful, and luxurious environment all year long.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Gardening opportunities are sharply defined by the seasons in New England’s variable climate. Our team was tasked with expanding the growing season for Newtonville, Massachusetts homeowners. The clients envisioned a structure that could perform double duty by serving as both a fully functional four season greenhouse as well as a comfortable home extension. The resulting 24’ x 11’ hybrid addition stunningly captures the sun’s rays while keeping the elements at bay. The project required careful architectural planning. Working in close collaboration with the team at Legault Design LLC of Concord, MA, Sunspace fabricated a custom aluminum framework that complements the home’s existing aesthetic. Our aluminum products have terrific strength-to-weight ratios allowing for slender profile lines that maximize glass areas without sacrificing structural integrity. Aluminum framing is also inherently resistant to the high humidity levels typical of a working greenhouse. This was doubly important given the space’s dual purpose. Another key to this greenhouse’s performance is found in its glazing. A glass structure intended for year-round habitation demands intelligent thermal management. We outfitted the enclosure with Cardinal Low-E 366 high-performance glass. Cardinal’s 1” thick insulated units, filled with argon gas, act as a crucial thermal barrier. These units also feature a specialized coating blocking 95% of damaging UV rays, enabling them to retain heat in the winter while reflecting it during the summer. The best modern glass technology allows spaces like this one to remain temperate sanctuaries in any environmental condition. This greenhouse’s design incorporates three expansive 42” x 60” awning windows to encourage natural airflow, and the 10′ folding glass wall system dissolves the boundary between the interior and exterior yard when fully opened. The seamless indoor-outdoor flow is perfect for summer entertaining or simply letting the space breathe. The space is instantly adaptable to the needs of the moment, whether shielding the home from harsh snows or thrown open to invite a summer breeze.

The Glo European Windows A5 Series windows and doors were carefully selected for the Whitefish Residence to support the high performance and modern architectural design of the home. Triple pane glass, a larger continuous thermal break, multiple air seals, and high performance spacers all help to eliminate condensation and heat convection while providing durability to last the lifetime of the building. This higher level of efficiency will also help to keep continued utility costs low and maintain comfortable temperatures throughout the year. Large fixed window units mulled together in the field provide sweeping views of the valley and mountains beyond. Full light exterior doors with transom windows above provide natural daylight to penetrate deep into the home. A large lift and slide door opens the living area to the exterior of the home and creates an atmosphere of spaciousness and ethereality. Modern aluminum frames with clean lines paired with stainless steel handles accent the subtle details of the architectural design. Tilt and turn windows throughout the space allow the option of natural ventilation while maintaining clear views of the picturesque landscape.

Stucco and small expanses of vertical siding accent stacked masonry construction which highlights the sense of rootedness emanating from the home. Solid, imposing walls are punctuated by small windows in a way that feels almost like the armament of a fortress. Juxtaposing this sense of density are substantial breaks of transparency provided by large-scale aluminum windows and doors. These aluminum glazing systems provide a sense of breath and airiness to the hulking mass. This ultra-modern desert home is an impressive feat of engineering, architectural design, and efficiency – especially considering the almost 23,000 square feet of living space. The A7 Series aluminum windows with triple-pane glazing were paired with custom-designed Ultra Lift and Slide doors to provide comfort, efficiency, and seamless design integration of fenestration products. Triple pane glazing units with high-performance spacers, low iron glass, multiple air seals, and a continuous thermal break make these windows and doors incomparable to the traditional aluminum window and door products of the past. Not to mention – these large-scale sliding doors have been fitted with motors hidden in the ceiling, which allow the doors to open flush into wall pockets at the press of a button.

Photography by Michael Biondo Photography ; This stunning green, contemporary home designed to nestle into its steep Westport lot by Ann Sellars and Howard Lathrop of Sellars Lathrop Architects, is beautifully crafted by Domus Constructors. Tight insulation, photovoltaic and thermal solar panels, deep overhangs and Lowen triple pane windows earned builder, Chris Shea, an outstanding 25 HERS rating. The interior boasts a magnificent free form radius staircase by New England Stair Company, which won a Special Focus Award, and the spectacular two-story library with steel catwalk (pictured) features a secret door to a spiral stair and cigar room. Other notable features include a glass walled wine room, a glass enclosed pentagon shaped sunroom and a Wetstyle tub in the spa bath.

This poolside fireplace project included the installation of multiple natural boulder retaining walls around the property. The upper walls are approximately 24″ tall, with the lower wall to be 30″-48″ tall to create level area for the pool and pool decking. This project also included rough grading of pool deck area and surrounding areas in preparation for excavation. We then constructed a custom built outdoor fireplace. The poolside fireplace has a 36″ opening and is approximately 10′ tall and about 10′ wide including wood boxes. Wood storage boxes on each side are approximately 18″ deep hearth in front of unit. Fireplace and wood boxes are raised about 18″ above patio height. 8′ long sitting walls were installed on each side approximately 18″ high. Walls, hearth, wood boxes, and top all capped with 2″ thermal Flagstone. Fireplace and walls are faced with natural thin stone veneer and brick accents that match existing brick on site. Landscape beds, plants/trees, LED lighting system, and final site grading and seeding were installed after pool completion. Lighting includes 7 path lights, 9 accent lights, 8 step/under cap lights, and low voltage transformer.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Gardening opportunities are sharply defined by the seasons in New England’s variable climate. Our team was tasked with expanding the growing season for Newtonville, Massachusetts homeowners. The clients envisioned a structure that could perform double duty by serving as both a fully functional four season greenhouse as well as a comfortable home extension. The resulting 24’ x 11’ hybrid addition stunningly captures the sun’s rays while keeping the elements at bay. The project required careful architectural planning. Working in close collaboration with the team at Legault Design LLC of Concord, MA, Sunspace fabricated a custom aluminum framework that complements the home’s existing aesthetic. Our aluminum products have terrific strength-to-weight ratios allowing for slender profile lines that maximize glass areas without sacrificing structural integrity. Aluminum framing is also inherently resistant to the high humidity levels typical of a working greenhouse. This was doubly important given the space’s dual purpose. Another key to this greenhouse’s performance is found in its glazing. A glass structure intended for year-round habitation demands intelligent thermal management. We outfitted the enclosure with Cardinal Low-E 366 high-performance glass. Cardinal’s 1” thick insulated units, filled with argon gas, act as a crucial thermal barrier. These units also feature a specialized coating blocking 95% of damaging UV rays, enabling them to retain heat in the winter while reflecting it during the summer. The best modern glass technology allows spaces like this one to remain temperate sanctuaries in any environmental condition. This greenhouse’s design incorporates three expansive 42” x 60” awning windows to encourage natural airflow, and the 10′ folding glass wall system dissolves the boundary between the interior and exterior yard when fully opened. The seamless indoor-outdoor flow is perfect for summer entertaining or simply letting the space breathe. The space is instantly adaptable to the needs of the moment, whether shielding the home from harsh snows or thrown open to invite a summer breeze.

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood. INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site. EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot. THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place. HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde. YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting. ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements. RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage. OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet. ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings Eric Roth Photography - Photography

The Glo European Windows A5 Series windows and doors were carefully selected for the Whitefish Residence to support the high performance and modern architectural design of the home. Triple pane glass, a larger continuous thermal break, multiple air seals, and high performance spacers all help to eliminate condensation and heat convection while providing durability to last the lifetime of the building. This higher level of efficiency will also help to keep continued utility costs low and maintain comfortable temperatures throughout the year. Large fixed window units mulled together in the field provide sweeping views of the valley and mountains beyond. Full light exterior doors with transom windows above provide natural daylight to penetrate deep into the home. A large lift and slide door opens the living area to the exterior of the home and creates an atmosphere of spaciousness and ethereality. Modern aluminum frames with clean lines paired with stainless steel handles accent the subtle details of the architectural design. Tilt and turn windows throughout the space allow the option of natural ventilation while maintaining clear views of the picturesque landscape.

Gardening opportunities are sharply defined by the seasons in New England’s variable climate. Our team was tasked with expanding the growing season for Newtonville, Massachusetts homeowners. The clients envisioned a structure that could perform double duty by serving as both a fully functional four season greenhouse as well as a comfortable home extension. The resulting 24’ x 11’ hybrid addition stunningly captures the sun’s rays while keeping the elements at bay. The project required careful architectural planning. Working in close collaboration with the team at Legault Design LLC of Concord, MA, Sunspace fabricated a custom aluminum framework that complements the home’s existing aesthetic. Our aluminum products have terrific strength-to-weight ratios allowing for slender profile lines that maximize glass areas without sacrificing structural integrity. Aluminum framing is also inherently resistant to the high humidity levels typical of a working greenhouse. This was doubly important given the space’s dual purpose. Another key to this greenhouse’s performance is found in its glazing. A glass structure intended for year-round habitation demands intelligent thermal management. We outfitted the enclosure with Cardinal Low-E 366 high-performance glass. Cardinal’s 1” thick insulated units, filled with argon gas, act as a crucial thermal barrier. These units also feature a specialized coating blocking 95% of damaging UV rays, enabling them to retain heat in the winter while reflecting it during the summer. The best modern glass technology allows spaces like this one to remain temperate sanctuaries in any environmental condition. This greenhouse’s design incorporates three expansive 42” x 60” awning windows to encourage natural airflow, and the 10′ folding glass wall system dissolves the boundary between the interior and exterior yard when fully opened. The seamless indoor-outdoor flow is perfect for summer entertaining or simply letting the space breathe. The space is instantly adaptable to the needs of the moment, whether shielding the home from harsh snows or thrown open to invite a summer breeze.

The A7 Series aluminum windows with triple-pane glazing were paired with custom-designed Ultra Lift and Slide doors to provide comfort, efficiency, and seamless design integration of fenestration products. Triple pane glazing units with high-performance spacers, low iron glass, multiple air seals, and a continuous thermal break make these windows and doors incomparable to the traditional aluminum window and door products of the past. Not to mention – these large-scale sliding doors have been fitted with motors hidden in the ceiling, which allow the doors to open flush into wall pockets at the press of a button. This seamless aluminum door system is a true custom solution for a homeowner that wanted the largest expanses of glass possible to disappear from sight with minimal effort. The enormous doors slide completely out of view, allowing the interior and exterior to blur into a single living space. By integrating the ultra-modern desert home into the surrounding landscape, this residence is able to adapt and evolve as the seasons change – providing a comfortable, beautiful, and luxurious environment all year long.

This Boulder, Colorado remodel by fuentesdesign demonstrates the possibility of renewal in American suburbs, and Passive House design principles. Once an inefficient single story 1,000 square-foot ranch house with a forced air furnace, has been transformed into a two-story, solar powered 2500 square-foot three bedroom home ready for the next generation. The new design for the home is modern with a sustainable theme, incorporating a palette of natural materials including; reclaimed wood finishes, FSC-certified pine Zola windows and doors, and natural earth and lime plasters that soften the interior and crisp contemporary exterior with a flavor of the west. A Ninety-percent efficient energy recovery fresh air ventilation system provides constant filtered fresh air to every room. The existing interior brick was removed and replaced with insulation. The remaining heating and cooling loads are easily met with the highest degree of comfort via a mini-split heat pump, the peak heat load has been cut by a factor of 4, despite the house doubling in size. During the coldest part of the Colorado winter, a wood stove for ambiance and low carbon back up heat creates a special place in both the living and kitchen area, and upstairs loft. This ultra energy efficient home relies on extremely high levels of insulation, air-tight detailing and construction, and the implementation of high performance, custom made European windows and doors by Zola Windows. Zola’s ThermoPlus Clad line, which boasts R-11 triple glazing and is thermally broken with a layer of patented German Purenit®, was selected for the project. These windows also provide a seamless indoor/outdoor connection, with 9′ wide folding doors from the dining area and a matching 9′ wide custom countertop folding window that opens the kitchen up to a grassy court where mature trees provide shade and extend the living space during the summer months. With air-tight construction, this home meets the Passive House Retrofit (EnerPHit) air-tightness standard of