Photos by: Ledyard Homes This is a new custom luxury home built by Ledyard Homes in Utah – This is the Juniper model at the Lookout Ridge Promontory community features Panda’s thermally broken technology in their 12′ high doors. These custom thermally broken luxury doors were needed at this palatial rural home and Ledyard Homes selected Panda Windows and Doors to supply their thermally broken TS.19 in order for the future residents to fully enjoy their outdoor atmosphere from the comfort of their living space. While closed the thermal brake technology engineered into the TS.19 produces an air tight seal which enables the home to save energy and keep the great room interior space comfortable in both winter and summer and during harsh weather conditions. In addition to the energy and thermal benefits the doors also greatly reduce outdoor sound producing a serene environment inside the living space.

The clay tiles on this roof in the Rancho Palos Verdes community of Ocean Terrace were removed and reinstalled over new underlayment. The flat roofs areas were stripped, and new underlayment was installed followed by a white cool roof coating. The new panel array was installed directly over a new composition roof and framed with clay tiles that were fastened with a 2-part polyurethane foam adhesive. This method uses no nails and allows foot traffic on the top of the tile roof for panel access without the worry of breakage. 20 LG 335-watt panels and 20 Enphase High Power Smart Grid IQ 6 Plus Microinverters were installed and monitoring will be provided by Enphase Enlighten. A reduce then produce concept was followed by replacing all incandescent bulbs with efficient LED bulbs and fixtures, pool pumps were replaced with Hybrid ultra-high efficient pumps, and an overall plan of load shifting and load sheading was implemented. All Design and Installation Performed by Howe Custom Home Builders.

Photos by: Ledyard Homes This is a new custom luxury home built by Ledyard Homes in Utah – This is the Juniper model at the Lookout Ridge Promontory community features Panda’s thermally broken technology in their 12′ high doors. These custom thermally broken luxury doors were needed at this palatial rural home and Ledyard Homes selected Panda Windows and Doors to supply their thermally broken TS.19 in order for the future residents to fully enjoy their outdoor atmosphere from the comfort of their living space. While closed the thermal brake technology engineered into the TS.19 produces an air tight seal which enables the home to save energy and keep the great room interior space comfortable in both winter and summer and during harsh weather conditions. In addition to the energy and thermal benefits the doors also greatly reduce outdoor sound producing a serene environment inside the living space.

The clay tiles on this roof in the Rancho Palos Verdes community of Ocean Terrace were removed and reinstalled over new underlayment. The flat roofs areas were stripped, and new underlayment was installed followed by a white cool roof coating. The new panel array was installed directly over a new composition roof and framed with clay tiles that were fastened with a 2-part polyurethane foam adhesive. This method uses no nails and allows foot traffic on the top of the tile roof for panel access without the worry of breakage. 20 LG 335-watt panels and 20 Enphase High Power Smart Grid IQ 6 Plus Microinverters were installed and monitoring will be provided by Enphase Enlighten. A reduce then produce concept was followed by replacing all incandescent bulbs with efficient LED bulbs and fixtures, pool pumps were replaced with Hybrid ultra-high efficient pumps, and an overall plan of load shifting and load sheading was implemented. All Design and Installation Performed by Howe Custom Home Builders.

Photos by: Ledyard Homes This is a new custom luxury home built by Ledyard Homes in Utah – This is the Juniper model at the Lookout Ridge Promontory community features Panda’s thermally broken technology in their 12′ high doors. These custom thermally broken luxury doors were needed at this palatial rural home and Ledyard Homes selected Panda Windows and Doors to supply their thermally broken TS.19 in order for the future residents to fully enjoy their outdoor atmosphere from the comfort of their living space. While closed the thermal brake technology engineered into the TS.19 produces an air tight seal which enables the home to save energy and keep the great room interior space comfortable in both winter and summer and during harsh weather conditions. In addition to the energy and thermal benefits the doors also greatly reduce outdoor sound producing a serene environment inside the living space.

Photos by: Ledyard Homes This is a new custom luxury home built by Ledyard Homes in Utah – This is the Juniper model at the Lookout Ridge Promontory community features Panda’s thermally broken technology in their 12′ high doors. These custom thermally broken luxury doors were needed at this palatial rural home and Ledyard Homes selected Panda Windows and Doors to supply their thermally broken TS.19 in order for the future residents to fully enjoy their outdoor atmosphere from the comfort of their living space. While closed the thermal brake technology engineered into the TS.19 produces an air tight seal which enables the home to save energy and keep the great room interior space comfortable in both winter and summer and during harsh weather conditions. In addition to the energy and thermal benefits the doors also greatly reduce outdoor sound producing a serene environment inside the living space.

Located at a prominent corner on one of the few undeveloped residential sites left in Solana Beach, this project is important not only for the homeowner, but for the community as well. A rigorous site analysis laid the groundwork for a design response which took into account the homeowner’s program, input from the neighbors, and the scale of the project and the character of the neighborhood. The end result is a design that is well set into the existing grade, a move which preserves adjacent views and reduces the visual impact of the structure from the street; all while graciously meeting the desires of the owner. The plan is broken into six unique floor plates. The bottom four of which tie together along the gradually sloping site. An intentionally long southern exposure implements the basics of passive solar design: large amounts of glass bring in abundant light and warmth in the winter, while deep overhangs protect from unwanted summer heat gain. Ocean views to the west are selectively framed throughout the house without compromising privacy from the busy street corner. Public functions within the house flow seamlessly between indoor and outdoor living spaces. JLC Architecture was responsible for a full architecture and interior package as well as exterior hardscape design.

This single family home sits on a tight, sloped site. Within a modest budget, the goal was to provide direct access to grade at both the front and back of the house. The solution is a multi-split-level home with unconventional relationships between floor levels. Between the entrance level and the lower level of the family room, the kitchen and dining room are located on an interstitial level. Within the stair space “floats” a small bathroom. The generous stair is celebrated with a back-painted red glass wall which treats users to changing refractive ambient light throughout the house. Black brick, grey-tinted glass and mirrors contribute to the reasonably compact massing of the home. A cantilevered upper volume shades south facing windows and the home’s limited material palette meant a more efficient construction process. Cautious landscaping retains water run-off on the sloping site and home offices reduce the client’s use of their vehicle. The house achieves its vision within a modest footprint and with a design restraint that will ensure it becomes a long-lasting asset in the community. Photo by Tom Arban

Scott & Catherine Buley. High Tech Turf & Trees, LandscapeMakeover.biz, Rain Garden Nursery. Master Gardener farm house residence makeover. Remarkable clumps of Royal Raindrop flowering Crabapples and other trees leafing out and flowering now continue to amaze this Spring. Trees planted only days ago in this creek-like Rain Garden are literally stopping traffic. Fun to work on a project that has received such a warm welcome from the local community! Multi-trunk trees have many practical and beautiful benefits; just ask us!

This single family home sits on a tight, sloped site. Within a modest budget, the goal was to provide direct access to grade at both the front and back of the house. The solution is a multi-split-level home with unconventional relationships between floor levels. Between the entrance level and the lower level of the family room, the kitchen and dining room are located on an interstitial level. Within the stair space “floats” a small bathroom. The generous stair is celebrated with a back-painted red glass wall which treats users to changing refractive ambient light throughout the house. Black brick, grey-tinted glass and mirrors contribute to the reasonably compact massing of the home. A cantilevered upper volume shades south facing windows and the home’s limited material palette meant a more efficient construction process. Cautious landscaping retains water run-off on the sloping site and home offices reduce the client’s use of their vehicle. The house achieves its vision within a modest footprint and with a design restraint that will ensure it becomes a long-lasting asset in the community. Photo by Tom Arban

This single family home sits on a tight, sloped site. Within a modest budget, the goal was to provide direct access to grade at both the front and back of the house. The solution is a multi-split-level home with unconventional relationships between floor levels. Between the entrance level and the lower level of the family room, the kitchen and dining room are located on an interstitial level. Within the stair space “floats” a small bathroom. The generous stair is celebrated with a back-painted red glass wall which treats users to changing refractive ambient light throughout the house. Black brick, grey-tinted glass and mirrors contribute to the reasonably compact massing of the home. A cantilevered upper volume shades south facing windows and the home’s limited material palette meant a more efficient construction process. Cautious landscaping retains water run-off on the sloping site and home offices reduce the client’s use of their vehicle. The house achieves its vision within a modest footprint and with a design restraint that will ensure it becomes a long-lasting asset in the community. Photo by Tom Arban

This single family home sits on a tight, sloped site. Within a modest budget, the goal was to provide direct access to grade at both the front and back of the house. The solution is a multi-split-level home with unconventional relationships between floor levels. Between the entrance level and the lower level of the family room, the kitchen and dining room are located on an interstitial level. Within the stair space “floats” a small bathroom. The generous stair is celebrated with a back-painted red glass wall which treats users to changing refractive ambient light throughout the house. Black brick, grey-tinted glass and mirrors contribute to the reasonably compact massing of the home. A cantilevered upper volume shades south facing windows and the home’s limited material palette meant a more efficient construction process. Cautious landscaping retains water run-off on the sloping site and home offices reduce the client’s use of their vehicle. The house achieves its vision within a modest footprint and with a design restraint that will ensure it becomes a long-lasting asset in the community. Photo by Tom Arban

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

This single family home sits on a tight, sloped site. Within a modest budget, the goal was to provide direct access to grade at both the front and back of the house. The solution is a multi-split-level home with unconventional relationships between floor levels. Between the entrance level and the lower level of the family room, the kitchen and dining room are located on an interstitial level. Within the stair space “floats” a small bathroom. The generous stair is celebrated with a back-painted red glass wall which treats users to changing refractive ambient light throughout the house. Black brick, grey-tinted glass and mirrors contribute to the reasonably compact massing of the home. A cantilevered upper volume shades south facing windows and the home’s limited material palette meant a more efficient construction process. Cautious landscaping retains water run-off on the sloping site and home offices reduce the client’s use of their vehicle. The house achieves its vision within a modest footprint and with a design restraint that will ensure it becomes a long-lasting asset in the community. Photo by Tom Arban

Photo by Pete Veilleux, East Bay Wilds. 'Island Pink' yarrow (Achillea millefolium 'Island Pink') with woolly blue curls (Trichostema lanatum).

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

This single family home sits on a tight, sloped site. Within a modest budget, the goal was to provide direct access to grade at both the front and back of the house. The solution is a multi-split-level home with unconventional relationships between floor levels. Between the entrance level and the lower level of the family room, the kitchen and dining room are located on an interstitial level. Within the stair space “floats” a small bathroom. The generous stair is celebrated with a back-painted red glass wall which treats users to changing refractive ambient light throughout the house. Black brick, grey-tinted glass and mirrors contribute to the reasonably compact massing of the home. A cantilevered upper volume shades south facing windows and the home’s limited material palette meant a more efficient construction process. Cautious landscaping retains water run-off on the sloping site and home offices reduce the client’s use of their vehicle. The house achieves its vision within a modest footprint and with a design restraint that will ensure it becomes a long-lasting asset in the community. Photo by Tom Arban

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN: Award of Excellence PROJECT: Hazelwood Neighborhood Center CLIENT: ACTION-Housing, Inc. ARCHITECTURE FIRM: Thoughtful Balance ENGINEERS: Iams Consulting, LLC; WBCM Engineering CONTRACTORS: Nelcon Construction PHOTOGRAPHER: Denmarsh Photography DESCRIPTION: This building is in the heart of Hazelwood’s main commercial area and has a deep history with the community. The ground level houses office space for local non-profit groups and the upper floor is the new home of the Hazelwood branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. This project allowed the library to double the size of its space, providing a place to gather and come together. The renovation used the Passive House Retrofit Standard, focusing on a well-insulated building envelope with controlled ventilation, optimized passive solar heating, and energy efficiency. JURY COMMENTS: The project demonstrates the potential in creative planning by increasing the useable size of an existing building and reducing the environmental impact at the same time. Metrics matter and this building made a point of demonstrating what the metrics of its sustainable design yielded.

Yolseuiloyan: Nahuatl word that means "the place where the heart rests and strengthens." The project is a sustainable eco-tourism complex of 43 cabins, located in the Sierra Norte de Puebla, Surrounded by a misty forest ecosystem, in an area adjacent to Cuetzalan del Progreso’s downtown, a magical place with indigenous roots. The cabins integrate bio-constructive local elements in order to favor the local economy, and at the same time to reduce the negative environmental impact of new construction; for this purpose, the chosen materials were bamboo panels and structure, adobe walls made from local soil, and limestone extracted from the site. The selection of materials are also suitable for the humid climate of Cuetzalan, and help to maintain a mild temperature in the interior, thanks to the material properties and the implementation of bioclimatic design strategies. For the architectural design, a traditional house typology, with a contemporary feel was chosen to integrate with the local natural context, and at the same time to promote a unique warm natural atmosphere in connection with its surroundings, with the aim to transport the user into a calm relaxed atmosphere, full of local tradition that respects the community and the environment. The interior design process integrated accessories made by local artisans who incorporate the use of textiles and ceramics, bamboo and wooden furniture, and local clay, thus expressing a part of their culture through the use of local materials.