Search results for "Reduce performances" in Home Design Ideas

The homes in Heritage Hills in Chapel Hill, NC are representative of the popularity and explosive growth of American Home Ownership that occurred during the economic expansion that followed the end of WW II. They were designed and built to foster the benefits and sense of “community”, where families could come together and share theirs and their children’s lives. They are typically in very desirable locations within their larger communities, and remodeling them with modern amenities, increasing the performance and efficiency of them, and having them Green Certified (independent third-party verified) makes them extremely attractive to buyers, and helps to raise other property values within the neighborhood.
Green Certified Remodeled Homes offer significant value and advantage in the marketplace over similar homes in their area, which is especially important as a new, younger era of home buyers enter the market. Current trends suggest that younger (as well as many “seasoned”) homeowners are interested in smaller, more efficient (and thus affordable) homes situated closer to shopping, their work, entertainment opportunities, and access to the economic and environmental benefits of mass transit.
These older homes also offer an additional value that is continuing to gain visibility and appreciation in the market place. They were built from lumber from slower-growth trees (denser and harder wood), and as such offer superior structural support compared to the same home built using lumber from today’s faster-growing (softer and less-dense wood) trees.
Robin and Kent had lived in their 2-story Gambrel Roof home in Heritage Hills since 1994. The house was structurally sound, due in large part to the old-growth (and denser) yellow pine that was used in its framing. They loved the quiet neighborhood, its sense of community and amenities, and their home. It suited their life-style and needs; and they had decided that they would remain in the home. It was showing its age, and was in need of general repairs and maintenance, and its energy, water, and indoor air quality performance was continuing to increase their ongoing cost of ownership.
Robin loved the screen porch that looked out on their private and nicely landscaped back yard, but she wanted to be able to use it in the colder months of the year. She was unsatisfied with the kitchen and the mud room / laundry room, and the darkness of other living spaces. A previous water leak in the laundry room had resulted in a large patch of mold that had compromised flooring, wall board, and insulation and contributed to the homes reduced indoor air quality.
The home lacked insulation in the crawl, and inadequate insulation in the attic. The single HVAC unit had been replaced a few years earlier with a more efficient unit, but with a single programmable thermostat control on the first floor and aging and un-insulated ducting, the second floor was often over-heated in the summer months.
The original wood windows had begun to deteriorate and were drafty and inefficient, and the original wood-burning fireplace was an open conduit for escaping conditioned air as well as an inlet for wood-smoke smelling air being pulled into the home. The siding had been replaced a few years earlier with a cement-fiber product, but the exterior wood trim was compromised and beginning to look unsightly. Its original architecture had been altered over the years in ways that presented ongoing maintenance and durability issues, as well as disrupting the elegance of the original design.
Kent has worked for over 30 years in the Environmental Sciences field, and is considered to be a national expert in understanding the sources of, and human exposure to pollutants in indoor environments. He had always been very conscious and cautious about the effects on indoor air quality that the construction, furnishings, and products used in home had on him and his family.
Project Goals
Increase the performance of their home by improving energy efficiency by at least 40% and lowering their natural gas and electric utility costs.
Increase the performance of their home by reducing water usage by at least 40% and lowering the water utility costs.
Increase the comfort of their home that was being compromised by an inadequate HVAC design, inadequate insulation, inefficient and compromised wood windows, and copious air intrusions and drafts.
Improve the healthiness of the homes indoor air quality that was being compromised by an open wood-burning fireplace, and prior water intrusion that had allowed colonies of mold to thrive.
Create a new Kitchen, Family Room, Home Office, Mudroom, and Laundry Room that featured some of the latest designs and trends and harmonized with the rest of the homes charm.
Increase the usefulness and aesthetics of the screened porch by creating a warm and inviting semi-conditioned 3-Season Room that extended the times during the year that it was comfortable.
Introduce day-lighting into areas of the home that were dark and uninviting.
Brighten and harmonize all of the interior finishes.
Protect and restore the exterior of the home with superior-performing products and finishes.
Achieve Gold Level Green Home Certification in conformance with the ICC 700-2012 National Green Building Standards (NGBS).

The homes in Heritage Hills in Chapel Hill, NC are representative of the popularity and explosive growth of American Home Ownership that occurred during the economic expansion that followed the end of WW II. They were designed and built to foster the benefits and sense of “community”, where families could come together and share theirs and their children’s lives. They are typically in very desirable locations within their larger communities, and remodeling them with modern amenities, increasing the performance and efficiency of them, and having them Green Certified (independent third-party verified) makes them extremely attractive to buyers, and helps to raise other property values within the neighborhood.
Green Certified Remodeled Homes offer significant value and advantage in the marketplace over similar homes in their area, which is especially important as a new, younger era of home buyers enter the market. Current trends suggest that younger (as well as many “seasoned”) homeowners are interested in smaller, more efficient (and thus affordable) homes situated closer to shopping, their work, entertainment opportunities, and access to the economic and environmental benefits of mass transit.
These older homes also offer an additional value that is continuing to gain visibility and appreciation in the market place. They were built from lumber from slower-growth trees (denser and harder wood), and as such offer superior structural support compared to the same home built using lumber from today’s faster-growing (softer and less-dense wood) trees.
Robin and Kent had lived in their 2-story Gambrel Roof home in Heritage Hills since 1994. The house was structurally sound, due in large part to the old-growth (and denser) yellow pine that was used in its framing. They loved the quiet neighborhood, its sense of community and amenities, and their home. It suited their life-style and needs; and they had decided that they would remain in the home. It was showing its age, and was in need of general repairs and maintenance, and its energy, water, and indoor air quality performance was continuing to increase their ongoing cost of ownership.
Robin loved the screen porch that looked out on their private and nicely landscaped back yard, but she wanted to be able to use it in the colder months of the year. She was unsatisfied with the kitchen and the mud room / laundry room, and the darkness of other living spaces. A previous water leak in the laundry room had resulted in a large patch of mold that had compromised flooring, wall board, and insulation and contributed to the homes reduced indoor air quality.
The home lacked insulation in the crawl, and inadequate insulation in the attic. The single HVAC unit had been replaced a few years earlier with a more efficient unit, but with a single programmable thermostat control on the first floor and aging and un-insulated ducting, the second floor was often over-heated in the summer months.
The original wood windows had begun to deteriorate and were drafty and inefficient, and the original wood-burning fireplace was an open conduit for escaping conditioned air as well as an inlet for wood-smoke smelling air being pulled into the home. The siding had been replaced a few years earlier with a cement-fiber product, but the exterior wood trim was compromised and beginning to look unsightly. Its original architecture had been altered over the years in ways that presented ongoing maintenance and durability issues, as well as disrupting the elegance of the original design.
Kent has worked for over 30 years in the Environmental Sciences field, and is considered to be a national expert in understanding the sources of, and human exposure to pollutants in indoor environments. He had always been very conscious and cautious about the effects on indoor air quality that the construction, furnishings, and products used in home had on him and his family.
Project Goals
Increase the performance of their home by improving energy efficiency by at least 40% and lowering their natural gas and electric utility costs.
Increase the performance of their home by reducing water usage by at least 40% and lowering the water utility costs.
Increase the comfort of their home that was being compromised by an inadequate HVAC design, inadequate insulation, inefficient and compromised wood windows, and copious air intrusions and drafts.
Improve the healthiness of the homes indoor air quality that was being compromised by an open wood-burning fireplace, and prior water intrusion that had allowed colonies of mold to thrive.
Create a new Kitchen, Family Room, Home Office, Mudroom, and Laundry Room that featured some of the latest designs and trends and harmonized with the rest of the homes charm.
Increase the usefulness and aesthetics of the screened porch by creating a warm and inviting semi-conditioned 3-Season Room that extended the times during the year that it was comfortable.
Introduce day-lighting into areas of the home that were dark and uninviting.
Brighten and harmonize all of the interior finishes.
Protect and restore the exterior of the home with superior-performing products and finishes.
Achieve Gold Level Green Home Certification in conformance with the ICC 700-2012 National Green Building Standards (NGBS).

A walk-out home in Eden Prairie had years of woodpecker damage to its cedar siding. We installed James Hardie lap siding in Arctic White, added Marvin Signature Series windows, and accented the entry with Boral Beadboard on the ceiling. The result is a woodpecker-resistant exterior with modern curb appeal.
Project Specs
Location: Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Home Style: Walk-Out
Problem: Dated Cedar Siding and worn out leaky windows.
Solution: James Hardie HardiePlank lap siding and Marvin Signature Series Windows
Color: Arctic White (body)
Accents: Marvin Aluminum Clad Windows in black
Result: Significantly reduced future maintenance and upgraded curb appeal
Certifications: James Hardie Elite Preferred and Marvin Authorized Contractor
Project Overview
This residence in Eden Prairie received a complete exterior makeover that brought new life and lasting performance to their home. The project began with the removal of the home’s original cedar siding, which had weathered and required ongoing maintenance.
Once the cedar siding was removed, our team installed James Hardie Smooth lap siding in Arctic White, a timeless choice that offers both curb appeal and resilience against Minnesota’s harsh climate. To complement the siding, all trim, soffits, and fascia were finished in Arctic White, creating a clean, classic look.
In addition to the siding, the homeowners wanted to address their outdated, drafty windows. We replaced them with sleek Black Marvin windows, which not only improved energy efficiency but also added striking contrast against the crisp white siding. This upgrade modernized the home’s overall appearance while providing long-term durability.
A highlight of the project is the Boral beadboard entryway ceiling, which gives the front entrance a welcoming, detailed touch. Combined with new trim details, custom shutters, and a refreshed gable vent, the home now blends classic design elements with modern performance.
Complete James Hardie Exterior featuring siding, soffit, and trim.
Now, the home is protected from damage and stands out with a clean, modern finish that will last for years.
Find the right local pro for your project

A walk-out home in Eden Prairie had years of woodpecker damage to its cedar siding. We installed James Hardie lap siding in Arctic White, added Marvin Signature Series windows, and accented the entry with Boral Beadboard on the ceiling. The result is a woodpecker-resistant exterior with modern curb appeal.
Project Specs
Location: Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Home Style: Walk-Out
Problem: Dated Cedar Siding and worn out leaky windows.
Solution: James Hardie HardiePlank lap siding and Marvin Signature Series Windows
Color: Arctic White (body)
Accents: Marvin Aluminum Clad Windows in black
Result: Significantly reduced future maintenance and upgraded curb appeal
Certifications: James Hardie Elite Preferred and Marvin Authorized Contractor
Project Overview
This residence in Eden Prairie received a complete exterior makeover that brought new life and lasting performance to their home. The project began with the removal of the home’s original cedar siding, which had weathered and required ongoing maintenance.
Once the cedar siding was removed, our team installed James Hardie Smooth lap siding in Arctic White, a timeless choice that offers both curb appeal and resilience against Minnesota’s harsh climate. To complement the siding, all trim, soffits, and fascia were finished in Arctic White, creating a clean, classic look.
In addition to the siding, the homeowners wanted to address their outdated, drafty windows. We replaced them with sleek Black Marvin windows, which not only improved energy efficiency but also added striking contrast against the crisp white siding. This upgrade modernized the home’s overall appearance while providing long-term durability.
A highlight of the project is the Boral beadboard entryway ceiling, which gives the front entrance a welcoming, detailed touch. Combined with new trim details, custom shutters, and a refreshed gable vent, the home now blends classic design elements with modern performance.
Complete James Hardie Exterior featuring siding, soffit, and trim.
Now, the home is protected from damage and stands out with a clean, modern finish that will last for years.

A walk-out home in Eden Prairie had years of woodpecker damage to its cedar siding. We installed James Hardie lap siding in Arctic White, added Marvin Signature Series windows, and accented the entry with Boral Beadboard on the ceiling. The result is a woodpecker-resistant exterior with modern curb appeal.
Project Specs
Location: Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Home Style: Walk-Out
Problem: Dated Cedar Siding and worn out leaky windows.
Solution: James Hardie HardiePlank lap siding and Marvin Signature Series Windows
Color: Arctic White (body)
Accents: Marvin Aluminum Clad Windows in black
Result: Significantly reduced future maintenance and upgraded curb appeal
Certifications: James Hardie Elite Preferred and Marvin Authorized Contractor
Project Overview
This residence in Eden Prairie received a complete exterior makeover that brought new life and lasting performance to their home. The project began with the removal of the home’s original cedar siding, which had weathered and required ongoing maintenance.
Once the cedar siding was removed, our team installed James Hardie Smooth lap siding in Arctic White, a timeless choice that offers both curb appeal and resilience against Minnesota’s harsh climate. To complement the siding, all trim, soffits, and fascia were finished in Arctic White, creating a clean, classic look.
In addition to the siding, the homeowners wanted to address their outdated, drafty windows. We replaced them with sleek Black Marvin windows, which not only improved energy efficiency but also added striking contrast against the crisp white siding. This upgrade modernized the home’s overall appearance while providing long-term durability.
A highlight of the project is the Boral beadboard entryway ceiling, which gives the front entrance a welcoming, detailed touch. Combined with new trim details, custom shutters, and a refreshed gable vent, the home now blends classic design elements with modern performance.
Complete James Hardie Exterior featuring siding, soffit, and trim.
Now, the home is protected from damage and stands out with a clean, modern finish that will last for years.

The homes in Heritage Hills in Chapel Hill, NC are representative of the popularity and explosive growth of American Home Ownership that occurred during the economic expansion that followed the end of WW II. They were designed and built to foster the benefits and sense of “community”, where families could come together and share theirs and their children’s lives. They are typically in very desirable locations within their larger communities, and remodeling them with modern amenities, increasing the performance and efficiency of them, and having them Green Certified (independent third-party verified) makes them extremely attractive to buyers, and helps to raise other property values within the neighborhood.
Green Certified Remodeled Homes offer significant value and advantage in the marketplace over similar homes in their area, which is especially important as a new, younger era of home buyers enter the market. Current trends suggest that younger (as well as many “seasoned”) homeowners are interested in smaller, more efficient (and thus affordable) homes situated closer to shopping, their work, entertainment opportunities, and access to the economic and environmental benefits of mass transit.
These older homes also offer an additional value that is continuing to gain visibility and appreciation in the market place. They were built from lumber from slower-growth trees (denser and harder wood), and as such offer superior structural support compared to the same home built using lumber from today’s faster-growing (softer and less-dense wood) trees.
Robin and Kent had lived in their 2-story Gambrel Roof home in Heritage Hills since 1994. The house was structurally sound, due in large part to the old-growth (and denser) yellow pine that was used in its framing. They loved the quiet neighborhood, its sense of community and amenities, and their home. It suited their life-style and needs; and they had decided that they would remain in the home. It was showing its age, and was in need of general repairs and maintenance, and its energy, water, and indoor air quality performance was continuing to increase their ongoing cost of ownership.
Robin loved the screen porch that looked out on their private and nicely landscaped back yard, but she wanted to be able to use it in the colder months of the year. She was unsatisfied with the kitchen and the mud room / laundry room, and the darkness of other living spaces. A previous water leak in the laundry room had resulted in a large patch of mold that had compromised flooring, wall board, and insulation and contributed to the homes reduced indoor air quality.
The home lacked insulation in the crawl, and inadequate insulation in the attic. The single HVAC unit had been replaced a few years earlier with a more efficient unit, but with a single programmable thermostat control on the first floor and aging and un-insulated ducting, the second floor was often over-heated in the summer months.
The original wood windows had begun to deteriorate and were drafty and inefficient, and the original wood-burning fireplace was an open conduit for escaping conditioned air as well as an inlet for wood-smoke smelling air being pulled into the home. The siding had been replaced a few years earlier with a cement-fiber product, but the exterior wood trim was compromised and beginning to look unsightly. Its original architecture had been altered over the years in ways that presented ongoing maintenance and durability issues, as well as disrupting the elegance of the original design.
Kent has worked for over 30 years in the Environmental Sciences field, and is considered to be a national expert in understanding the sources of, and human exposure to pollutants in indoor environments. He had always been very conscious and cautious about the effects on indoor air quality that the construction, furnishings, and products used in home had on him and his family.
Project Goals
Increase the performance of their home by improving energy efficiency by at least 40% and lowering their natural gas and electric utility costs.
Increase the performance of their home by reducing water usage by at least 40% and lowering the water utility costs.
Increase the comfort of their home that was being compromised by an inadequate HVAC design, inadequate insulation, inefficient and compromised wood windows, and copious air intrusions and drafts.
Improve the healthiness of the homes indoor air quality that was being compromised by an open wood-burning fireplace, and prior water intrusion that had allowed colonies of mold to thrive.
Create a new Kitchen, Family Room, Home Office, Mudroom, and Laundry Room that featured some of the latest designs and trends and harmonized with the rest of the homes charm.
Increase the usefulness and aesthetics of the screened porch by creating a warm and inviting semi-conditioned 3-Season Room that extended the times during the year that it was comfortable.
Introduce day-lighting into areas of the home that were dark and uninviting.
Brighten and harmonize all of the interior finishes.
Protect and restore the exterior of the home with superior-performing products and finishes.
Achieve Gold Level Green Home Certification in conformance with the ICC 700-2012 National Green Building Standards (NGBS).

Rosa californica / California wild rose
Photo: Jerry Kirkhart, via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-2.0 Generic

The homes in Heritage Hills in Chapel Hill, NC are representative of the popularity and explosive growth of American Home Ownership that occurred during the economic expansion that followed the end of WW II. They were designed and built to foster the benefits and sense of “community”, where families could come together and share theirs and their children’s lives. They are typically in very desirable locations within their larger communities, and remodeling them with modern amenities, increasing the performance and efficiency of them, and having them Green Certified (independent third-party verified) makes them extremely attractive to buyers, and helps to raise other property values within the neighborhood.
Green Certified Remodeled Homes offer significant value and advantage in the marketplace over similar homes in their area, which is especially important as a new, younger era of home buyers enter the market. Current trends suggest that younger (as well as many “seasoned”) homeowners are interested in smaller, more efficient (and thus affordable) homes situated closer to shopping, their work, entertainment opportunities, and access to the economic and environmental benefits of mass transit.
These older homes also offer an additional value that is continuing to gain visibility and appreciation in the market place. They were built from lumber from slower-growth trees (denser and harder wood), and as such offer superior structural support compared to the same home built using lumber from today’s faster-growing (softer and less-dense wood) trees.
Robin and Kent had lived in their 2-story Gambrel Roof home in Heritage Hills since 1994. The house was structurally sound, due in large part to the old-growth (and denser) yellow pine that was used in its framing. They loved the quiet neighborhood, its sense of community and amenities, and their home. It suited their life-style and needs; and they had decided that they would remain in the home. It was showing its age, and was in need of general repairs and maintenance, and its energy, water, and indoor air quality performance was continuing to increase their ongoing cost of ownership.
Robin loved the screen porch that looked out on their private and nicely landscaped back yard, but she wanted to be able to use it in the colder months of the year. She was unsatisfied with the kitchen and the mud room / laundry room, and the darkness of other living spaces. A previous water leak in the laundry room had resulted in a large patch of mold that had compromised flooring, wall board, and insulation and contributed to the homes reduced indoor air quality.
The home lacked insulation in the crawl, and inadequate insulation in the attic. The single HVAC unit had been replaced a few years earlier with a more efficient unit, but with a single programmable thermostat control on the first floor and aging and un-insulated ducting, the second floor was often over-heated in the summer months.
The original wood windows had begun to deteriorate and were drafty and inefficient, and the original wood-burning fireplace was an open conduit for escaping conditioned air as well as an inlet for wood-smoke smelling air being pulled into the home. The siding had been replaced a few years earlier with a cement-fiber product, but the exterior wood trim was compromised and beginning to look unsightly. Its original architecture had been altered over the years in ways that presented ongoing maintenance and durability issues, as well as disrupting the elegance of the original design.
Kent has worked for over 30 years in the Environmental Sciences field, and is considered to be a national expert in understanding the sources of, and human exposure to pollutants in indoor environments. He had always been very conscious and cautious about the effects on indoor air quality that the construction, furnishings, and products used in home had on him and his family.
Project Goals
Increase the performance of their home by improving energy efficiency by at least 40% and lowering their natural gas and electric utility costs.
Increase the performance of their home by reducing water usage by at least 40% and lowering the water utility costs.
Increase the comfort of their home that was being compromised by an inadequate HVAC design, inadequate insulation, inefficient and compromised wood windows, and copious air intrusions and drafts.
Improve the healthiness of the homes indoor air quality that was being compromised by an open wood-burning fireplace, and prior water intrusion that had allowed colonies of mold to thrive.
Create a new Kitchen, Family Room, Home Office, Mudroom, and Laundry Room that featured some of the latest designs and trends and harmonized with the rest of the homes charm.
Increase the usefulness and aesthetics of the screened porch by creating a warm and inviting semi-conditioned 3-Season Room that extended the times during the year that it was comfortable.
Introduce day-lighting into areas of the home that were dark and uninviting.
Brighten and harmonize all of the interior finishes.
Protect and restore the exterior of the home with superior-performing products and finishes.
Achieve Gold Level Green Home Certification in conformance with the ICC 700-2012 National Green Building Standards (NGBS).

Winning Best New Home of 2013 and labeled “Passive House Perfection” by Fine Homebuilding, this 1600-square foot farmhouse achieves the highest performance standards without sacrificing aesthetic standards. The owners “learned that good design and modern aesthetics were compatible with the kind of energy we were seeking and we couldn’t be more pleased.”
Beyond Efficiency coached the team in resource-efficient framing, and builder Rob Nicely incorporated practices such as 24” stud spacing and appropriately sized insulated headers to reduce lumber costs, speed construction and maximize insulation. He planned ahead by pre-insulating components such as doubled I-joists to ensure an uninterrupted thermal boundary. To achieve the strict Passive House heating demand requirements, phase-change materials (PCMs) are installed behind drywall in walls and dropped ceilings to absorb the sun’s heat from large south-facing windows and release it for passive heating once temperatures cool down. PCMs provide temperature moderation and peak load shifting benefits that were traditionally available only in heavy, high-thermal mass materials.
The house is designed to use about 70% less energy than its code-level counterpart. The homeowners have reported that temperatures remain very stable throughout the home, varying no more than 2 degrees from north to south and top to bottom.

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

Some driveways are more than just a place to park. Aqua-Bric® is designed for homes that need performance, beauty, and purpose built into every square foot. It offers a refined look while solving real-world drainage and sustainability challenges.
Belgard Aqua-Bric® is a permeable paver designed to allow water to pass through the joints and back into the ground, reducing runoff and meeting eco-conscious standards. With a clean, rectangular shape and smooth finish, it can be laid in patterns like herringbone for added strength and visual movement. It is ideal for driveways, parking areas, and any large surface where water control and longevity are essential.
Now picture your driveway not only enhancing curb appeal but working smarter. The surface stays dry. The base holds strong. And the pavers lock into place with quiet elegance. Aqua-Bric® isn’t just environmentally smart, it’s investment-smart.
This is not just a driveway. It is a forward-thinking foundation for your home.
Let’s explore how this material can bring your outdoor story to life.
Schedule your consultation today: 516-522-8249

This 3 BR, 3 1/2 bath home allows the owners to live on one level most of the time. The Master Suite is on the main level along with the Living Room, Kitchen, Dining, pantries, Sun Room and service areas. The upper level houses two ample bedrooms while the lower level supports a rec center, media room, wine cellar, shop and full wet bar. Conceived as a Great Room house, the main level is designed as one seamless space that flows onto an ample deck overlooking the rear yard.
We also incorporated a variety of green building techniques - photo-voltaic shingles on the roof of the garage to generate a portion of the home's energy, a super insulated building envelope, rain water harvesting, high performance windows and doors, a high efficiency heat pump, low flow bath & kitchen fixtures, Energy Star appliances and LED lighting - that greatly reduced this structure's carbon footprint. All of the strategies amounted to a 30% reduction in the energy consumption in this home relative to comparable structures.

This 2019 project for award-winning engineer and former Blackbird Academy instructor Ernesto Olvera-LaPier was one of NILES’ earliest ventures into designing and building a fully formal Dolby Atmos mixing and mastering environment. The result is a highly accurate, purpose-built suite engineered to meet the strict demands of immersive audio work.
The room is completely acoustically isolated from the surrounding structure. Sound-reducing wall systems sit atop floating-floor assemblies, paired with a full soft-ceiling bass trap, a false rear-wall trap, and custom full-lite acoustic doors. Dedicated mechanical systems ensure quiet, uninterrupted operation, allowing Ernesto to work with precision at any hour.
Monitoring centers around a JBL M2 system seamlessly integrated into the treatment design, providing an immersive, detailed, and articulate listening experience essential for Dolby Atmos production. Every component—from the isolation assemblies to the tuning—was crafted to ensure that the mix translates exactly as intended.
The suite is both visually understated and technically advanced, delivering an effortless feel with professional-grade performance throughout.

This 2019 project for award-winning engineer and former Blackbird Academy instructor Ernesto Olvera-LaPier was one of NILES’ earliest ventures into designing and building a fully formal Dolby Atmos mixing and mastering environment. The result is a highly accurate, purpose-built suite engineered to meet the strict demands of immersive audio work.
The room is completely acoustically isolated from the surrounding structure. Sound-reducing wall systems sit atop floating-floor assemblies, paired with a full soft-ceiling bass trap, a false rear-wall trap, and custom full-lite acoustic doors. Dedicated mechanical systems ensure quiet, uninterrupted operation, allowing Ernesto to work with precision at any hour.
Monitoring centers around a JBL M2 system seamlessly integrated into the treatment design, providing an immersive, detailed, and articulate listening experience essential for Dolby Atmos production. Every component—from the isolation assemblies to the tuning—was crafted to ensure that the mix translates exactly as intended.
The suite is both visually understated and technically advanced, delivering an effortless feel with professional-grade performance throughout.

Looking for reliable CNC Boring Bars at affordable prices? Metaldur supplies quality boring bars for CNC machining and lathe operations, helping machine shops, workshops, dealers, distributors, and industrial buyers manage tooling costs without compromising on quality. Explore our range of CNC boring bars for lathe machines designed for internal turning, accurate hole machining, and consistent cutting performance.
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This 2019 project for award-winning engineer and former Blackbird Academy instructor Ernesto Olvera-LaPier was one of NILES’ earliest ventures into designing and building a fully formal Dolby Atmos mixing and mastering environment. The result is a highly accurate, purpose-built suite engineered to meet the strict demands of immersive audio work.
The room is completely acoustically isolated from the surrounding structure. Sound-reducing wall systems sit atop floating-floor assemblies, paired with a full soft-ceiling bass trap, a false rear-wall trap, and custom full-lite acoustic doors. Dedicated mechanical systems ensure quiet, uninterrupted operation, allowing Ernesto to work with precision at any hour.
Monitoring centers around a JBL M2 system seamlessly integrated into the treatment design, providing an immersive, detailed, and articulate listening experience essential for Dolby Atmos production. Every component—from the isolation assemblies to the tuning—was crafted to ensure that the mix translates exactly as intended.
The suite is both visually understated and technically advanced, delivering an effortless feel with professional-grade performance throughout.

Example of a mid-sized transitional freestanding desk dark wood floor and brown floor study room design in New York with beige walls and no fireplace

Green Home Systems was recently hired by Sheri C. of Hesperus, Colorado, to install a 20.16 KW SolarEdge system for her home located on County Road 122. The project was completed within a couple of weeks and the results have been incredible!
Sheri chose Green Home Systems based on our craftsmanship, our reputation and our financing options. The main reason she chose us was because we could complete the project on time with the best customer service in the industry.
The system installed by Green Home Systems has already allowed Sheri to reduce her electricity bill and increase her property value while providing backup power for her home. The solar panel system is a grid tie-in which is connected directly to her local utility company’s grid for power generation and storage.
We used top of the line SolarEdge inverters which are guaranteed to be durable and perform well for years to come. Our warranty for these products gives customers peace of mind that their system will be maintained and repaired when needed. We also offer government and utility company incentives to help make going solar even more affordable for our customers.
At Green Home Systems, we are proud to have been chosen by Sheri C., and we are thrilled that she has experienced such great success with her new solar system! We would like to thank Sheri for choosing us and allowing us the opportunity to provide her with an exceptional solar experience. We look forward to continuing to serve customers in Hesperus, Colorado and all over the world with their solar needs!

Green Home Systems was recently hired by Sheri C. of Hesperus, Colorado, to install a 20.16 KW SolarEdge system for her home located on County Road 122. The project was completed within a couple of weeks and the results have been incredible!
Sheri chose Green Home Systems based on our craftsmanship, our reputation and our financing options. The main reason she chose us was because we could complete the project on time with the best customer service in the industry.
The system installed by Green Home Systems has already allowed Sheri to reduce her electricity bill and increase her property value while providing backup power for her home. The solar panel system is a grid tie-in which is connected directly to her local utility company’s grid for power generation and storage.
We used top of the line SolarEdge inverters which are guaranteed to be durable and perform well for years to come. Our warranty for these products gives customers peace of mind that their system will be maintained and repaired when needed. We also offer government and utility company incentives to help make going solar even more affordable for our customers.
At Green Home Systems, we are proud to have been chosen by Sheri C., and we are thrilled that she has experienced such great success with her new solar system! We would like to thank Sheri for choosing us and allowing us the opportunity to provide her with an exceptional solar experience. We look forward to continuing to serve customers in Hesperus, Colorado and all over the world with their solar needs!

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