A bold choice to place the foot of the bed against the wall pays dividends, turning the main bedroom into a sleeping porch just by opening the large sliding windows. Photography: Andrew Pogue Photography.

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

The Craftsman fireplace sets a new standard for wood burning beauty, performance and convenience. The bedrock of the Astria wood burning family, the Craftsman features the industry’s finest, most realistic textured refractory brick liners. Hidden screen pockets maximize the viewing area of the fireplace. An easy access damper handle and position lock outside air controls support consistent performance. The Craftsman is designed with gas line knockouts to allow homeowners the option of installing an Astria gas log set, with all gas connections and controls hidden out of sight. Aesthetics Realistic textured refractory brick liner Clean face and louvered models available. Screens retract into hidden screen pockets for a clean elegant look. Heavy duty log grate. Glass doors available with black, Brushed brass or platinum trim. Comfort Radiant heat delivers relaxing warmth in the room environment. Outside combustion air kit available. Performance Fully insulated firebox (on select models) for increased performance in colder climates. Easy access damper with position lock outside air controls. 8” double wall wood-burning chimney. Durable textured powder coat finish. Fan kit available (for circulating models only). Gas log ready. Available with PureFire Technology The Craftsman CAT comes with all of the great features of the Craftsman and the added benefits of PureFire technology! PureFire is a passive catalyst system that reduces particulate emissions by approximately 75%. PureFire virtually eliminates carbon monoxide (including CO from gas logs) and is maintenance free, no cleaning or special care required!

With its expansive two-sided opening and stunningly realistic fire presentation, the Montebello See-Through provides a harmonious flow from one space to another, inside or outside the home. The Montebello See-Through is available in a 40" size, and comes standard with high-definition logs, ceramic ember bed burner, log grate, wire mesh pull screens and the Total Comfort Control™System. Aesthetics Smooth-faced design features ceramic glass for optimum heat transfer. Dramatic louverless construction gives the fireplace a clean, traditional masonry look and provides the ability to finish right up to the opening. Tall ceramic-glass opening provides an exceptional view of the logs and flame. The high-definition charred split-oak log set is cast from real wood for an authentic look. Platinum embers enhance the glow of the fire. Light- and dark-tinted outdoor kits trimmed in stainless steel are available for indoor/outdoor application. The dark-tinted version provides enhanced ambiance from inside the room by creating an infinity effect while reducing glare from the outside environment. Comfort Exclusive Secure Vent™ chimney system provides efficient venting. Rated 68% in annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). Ease of Operation Total Comfort Control™ features a full-function remote control with thermostatic function, six flame settings, standard pilot override capability and smart mode which modulates flame to maintain desired room temperature. Gas controls are conveniently located to the side of the fireplace opening for easy installation and operation. An adjustable air shutter is included in the burner which allows you to raise or lower flame height to desired levels. Design Versatility A required choice of six liners available in Architectural Stone, Venetian Tile, Buff Rustic, Buff Herringbone, Black Rustic, and Black Porcelain. Optional andirons evoke the look of a traditional hearth, in Mission and Classic styles. Decorative freestanding screens in a variety of designs are available. Available in power-vented versions which can vent up to 110 ft. Can be installed as an indoor/indoor unit or as an indoor/outdoor unit with the addition of an outdoor kit. This fireplace meets all 2015 ANSI barrier requirements.

A small wedge of garden was stranded outside the fence in the perfect position to add a little "pop" from the street. Spiky Red Yucca (Hesperaloe) will send up tall spikes of pink flowers, supported by feathery Blue Fescue clumps and Aeonium canariense. Just over the fence is the star of the show -- Grevillea 'Long John' surrounded by pink and yellow Kangaroo Paws. photo by Billy Goodnick

Exterior Patio & Garage Shades help to reduce glare, reduce heat and are motorized for convenient use.
Huge brown one-story wood exterior home photo in Austin

In an effort to increase the enjoyment hours and reduce the amount of time spent on maintenance, this entire structure in Bethesda, MD, was built using low maintenance materials. The deck was constructed with Trex Select decking inside the screened porch and across the entire surface of the deck, vinyl trim was used inside and outside of the screened porch and the ceiling is beaded 1×6 tongue and groove vinyl to create a more finished look for the interior.

Exterior Patio & Garage Shades help to reduce glare, reduce heat and are motorized for convenient use. This picture captures the shades in their closed positions.

Exterior Patio & Garage Shades help to reduce glare, reduce heat and are motorized for convenient use. This picture captures the shades in their closed positions.

Exterior Patio & Garage Shades help to reduce glare, reduce heat and are motorized for convenient use. This picture captures the shades in their closed positions.

Exterior Patio & Garage Shades help to reduce glare, reduce heat and are motorized for convenient use.
Inspiration for a huge timeless brown one-story wood exterior home remodel in Austin

Exterior Patio & Garage Shades help to reduce glare, reduce heat and are motorized for convenient use. This picture captures the shades in their closed positions.

Exterior Patio & Garage Shades help to reduce glare, reduce heat and are motorized for convenient use. This picture captures the shades in their closed positions.

Exterior Patio & Garage Shades help to reduce glare, reduce heat and are motorized for convenient use. This picture captures the shades in their closed positions.

In an effort to increase the enjoyment hours and reduce the amount of time spent on maintenance, this entire structure in Bethesda, MD, was built using low maintenance materials. The deck was constructed with Trex Select decking inside the screened porch and across the entire surface of the deck, vinyl trim was used inside and outside of the screened porch and the ceiling is beaded 1×6 tongue and groove vinyl to create a more finished look for the interior.

In an effort to increase the enjoyment hours and reduce the amount of time spent on maintenance, this entire structure in Bethesda, MD, was built using low maintenance materials. The deck was constructed with Trex Select decking inside the screened porch and across the entire surface of the deck, vinyl trim was used inside and outside of the screened porch and the ceiling is beaded 1×6 tongue and groove vinyl to create a more finished look for the interior.

Exterior Patio & Garage Shades help to reduce glare, reduce heat and are motorized for convenient use. This picture captures the shades in their closed positions.

Exterior Patio & Garage Shades help to reduce glare, reduce heat and are motorized for convenient use.
Example of a huge classic backyard concrete patio kitchen design in Austin with a roof extension

Exterior Patio & Garage Shades help to reduce glare, reduce heat and are motorized for convenient use. This picture captures the shades in their closed positions.