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.

The Mendocino 760 Prefabricated ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is an efficiently designed modern 2 bedroom / 1 bathroom home built completely out of teak grown on deforested cattle lands through reforestation efforts. The structure, floors, exterior cladding, interior walls, ceilings, doors, millwork, and cabinetry are all made out of sustainably-grown teak wood. You are capturing carbon and reducing your footprint while gaining rental income and increasing the value of your property. -Furniture-grade finishes -Teak exterior cladding -Teak wide plank floor -Teak Ceiling -Teak doors, millwork, and cabinetry -Solar option available -760ft2 home with 230ft2 deck -Site plan, design, engineering, and permit coordination included

Design Builders & Remodeling is a one stop shop operation. From the start, design solutions are strongly rooted in practical applications and experience. Project planning takes into account the realities of the construction process and mindful of your established budget. All the work is centralized in one firm reducing the chances of costly or time consuming surprises. A solid partnership with solid professionals to help you realize your dreams for a new or improved home. Nina Pomeroy

Solid Wood Structure: To enhance stability even further, the core of our mahogany doors contain the same solid mahogany species. For our engineered banded stiles and rails, each stile features a solid mahogany edge band. The engineered stiles and rails are stronger then single, solid wood pieces, reducing the possibility of the door warping or splitting. Our durable 3-ply wood panels will not twist, warp, shrink or expand. In our finished series, the panel is completely prefinished and sealed on all six sides before being installed, and as the panels are free to float between fixed edges, there is no unfinished part of the panel that may show up with time. There are no nails that hold panels in place.

To enhance stability even further, the core of our mahogany doors contain the same solid mahogany species. For our engineered banded stiles and rails, each stile features a solid mahogany edge band. The engineered stiles and rails are stronger then single, solid wood pieces, reducing the possibility of the door warping or splitting. Our durable 3-ply wood panels will not twist, warp, shrink or expand. In our finished series, the panel is completely prefinished and sealed on all six sides before being installed, and as the panels are free to float between fixed edges, there is no unfinished part of the panel that may show up with time. There are no nails that hold panels in place.

New sofas are 100% green, with cushions filled with toxin-free natural latex instead of foam, covers made from organic cotton linen, and frames built with only real wood, and nails; no engineered wood products or adhesives. By choosing to acquire furnishings made from solid wood and other natural or eco-friendly materials, as well as hand-hewn, locally-made, small-business and artisan-produced pieces, you not only avoid toxins, but your choice also supports independent manufacturers and artists, reduces your carbon footprint, and you get the pleasure of living in a heart-ful, soul-ful, beauty-filled environment, that is custom-designed to match your lifestyle, your tribe, and you. Photo credit: Eric Rorer.

http://www.calibamboo.com/bronze-greenclaimed-infinity-grooved-composite-decking.html

The owner of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Oscar Balch House (Oak Park, 1911) approached TBDA to help steward the property through the 21st century, including pursuing a path to Net Zero energy. Historic Preservation principles, building science, and decarbonization strategies are combined to maintain the integrity of the architecture while radically reducing the carbon footprint. In keeping with owner’s mission to share the project and process (see Balch House on Instagram), you can view the free webinar hosted by Illinois Green Alliance where Tom Bassett-Dilley, builder Doug Freerksen (Von Dreele-Freerksen Construction Company), and mechanical engineer Mark Nussbaum (Architectural Consulting Engineers) discussed tradeoffs, long-term planning, energy modeling, and more. We hope this leaves viewers with a better understanding of the techniques and challenges of decarbonizing historic homes while maintaining their character.

Large, open windows at the back of the house let light animate the space and its contents. Exposed brick on the right creates continuity between the exterior and interior, while the metal panel and its shadowing establishes the character of the interior. Clever cabinets, inset in the kitchen and hidden underneath the stairs, help reduce clutter. And the dog nook under the stairs is perfect.

Our homes are resilient, adaptable, and when combined with Solar can be built to zero energy standards. Designs come complete with Solar ready features, LED Lighting, structured wiring, and expandable building automation technology. Ultra efficient mechanical equipment with small diameter ducts and variable speed blowers reduce energy use and ensure consistent temperatures between rooms, zones, and floors. Modular Prefabrication offers a smarter building system that leverages manufacturing efficiency, advanced engineering technology, and highly skilled labor to precisely produce high quality, durable, and efficient buildings in a fraction of the time needed in traditional construction. This is not your standard prefab home! EcoCraft homes are designed and constructed to provide our home owners with a look and feel that is unlike anything you have ever experienced!

Our homes are resilient, adaptable, and when combined with Solar can be built to zero energy standards. Designs come complete with Solar ready features, LED Lighting, structured wiring, and expandable building automation technology. Ultra efficient mechanical equipment with small diameter ducts and variable speed blowers reduce energy use and ensure consistent temperatures between rooms, zones, and floors. Modular Prefabrication offers a smarter building system that leverages manufacturing efficiency, advanced engineering technology, and highly skilled labor to precisely produce high quality, durable, and efficient buildings in a fraction of the time needed in traditional construction. This is not your standard prefab home! EcoCraft homes are designed and constructed to provide our home owners with a look and feel that is unlike anything you have ever experienced!

New sofas are 100% green, with cushions filled with toxin-free natural latex instead of foam, covers made from organic cotton linen, and frames built with only real wood, and nails; no engineered wood products or adhesives. By choosing to acquire furnishings made from solid wood and other natural or eco-friendly materials, as well as hand-hewn, locally-made, small-business and artisan-produced pieces, you not only avoid toxins, but your choice also supports independent manufacturers and artists, reduces your carbon footprint, and you get the pleasure of living in a heart-ful, soul-ful, beauty-filled environment, that is custom-designed to match your lifestyle, your tribe, and you. Photo credit: Eric Rorer.

The Mendocino 760 Prefabricated ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is an efficiently designed modern 2 bedroom/1 bathroom home built completely out of teak grown on deforested cattle lands through reforestation efforts. The structure, floors, exterior cladding, interior walls, ceilings, doors, millwork, and cabinetry are all made out of sustainably-grown teak wood. You are capturing carbon and reducing your footprint while gaining rental income and increasing the value of your property. -Furniture-grade finishes -Teak exterior cladding -Teak wide plank floor -Teak Ceiling -Teak doors, millwork, and cabinetry -Solar option available -760ft2 home with 230ft2 deck -Site plan, design, engineering, and permit coordination included

Complete modern wall style kitchen remodel featuring gray shaker style cabinets, white quartz countertops, stainless steel GE double oven, fridge and dishwasher, recessed and pendant lighting as well as engineered dark hardwood floors.

Our homes are resilient, adaptable, and when combined with Solar can be built to zero energy standards. Designs come complete with Solar ready features, LED Lighting, structured wiring, and expandable building automation technology. Ultra efficient mechanical equipment with small diameter ducts and variable speed blowers reduce energy use and ensure consistent temperatures between rooms, zones, and floors. Modular Prefabrication offers a smarter building system that leverages manufacturing efficiency, advanced engineering technology, and highly skilled labor to precisely produce high quality, durable, and efficient buildings in a fraction of the time needed in traditional construction. This is not your standard prefab home! EcoCraft homes are designed and constructed to provide our home owners with a look and feel that is unlike anything you have ever experienced!

Our homes are resilient, adaptable, and when combined with Solar can be built to zero energy standards. Designs come complete with Solar ready features, LED Lighting, structured wiring, and expandable building automation technology. Ultra efficient mechanical equipment with small diameter ducts and variable speed blowers reduce energy use and ensure consistent temperatures between rooms, zones, and floors. Modular Prefabrication offers a smarter building system that leverages manufacturing efficiency, advanced engineering technology, and highly skilled labor to precisely produce high quality, durable, and efficient buildings in a fraction of the time needed in traditional construction. This is not your standard prefab home! EcoCraft homes are designed and constructed to provide our home owners with a look and feel that is unlike anything you have ever experienced!

The Mendocino 760 Prefabricated ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is an efficiently designed modern 2 bedroom/1 bathroom home built completely out of teak grown on deforested cattle lands through reforestation efforts. The structure, floors, exterior cladding, interior walls, ceilings, doors, millwork, and cabinetry are all made out of sustainably-grown teak wood. You are capturing carbon and reducing your footprint while gaining rental income and increasing the value of your property. -Furniture-grade finishes -Teak exterior cladding -Teak wide plank floor -Teak Ceiling -Teak doors, millwork, and cabinetry -Solar option available -760ft2 home with 230ft2 deck -Site plan, design, engineering, and permit coordination included

Green Solar Technologies has installed a photovoltaic system for Derek of Fleming, CO. GST walked him through the solar process which was quick and thorough. We were able to engineer a solar energy system to meet his electricity requirements living in this wonderful home as well as collect all necessary permits from the city. Derek’s system consisted of 20 solar panels manufactured in the USA by SolarWorld and a SolarEdge inverter system with convenient monitoring access 24/7. With a solar panel installation, you can increase your property value, drastically reduce your electricity costs, cut pollution and toxic waste, and become energy independent. GST has helped thousands make the switch go solar. Check out other installations and customer reviews at https://www.greensolartechnologies.com/reviews.