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/

LET'S GET PHYSICAL. | TARA LOGIC takes up the form of the Tara Classic single-lever mixer and radically modernizes it, although it is still instantly recognizable. It is narrower, extends upwards – but still has the same reduced design based on a cylindrical structure. Whether as a shower stem or a free-standing single-lever mixer on the tub, TARA LOGIC reaches elegantly upwards. It looks well-toned and encourages us to emulate it. Because there is no rosette, it looks even more streamlined and aspiring. This results in a progressive, minimalistic verticality that can be transferred to the architecture and design of the bathroom. | Available at www.shopstudio41.com

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.

LET'S GET PHYSICAL. | TARA LOGIC takes up the form of the Tara Classic single-lever mixer and radically modernizes it, although it is still instantly recognizable. It is narrower, extends upwards – but still has the same reduced design based on a cylindrical structure. Whether as a shower stem or a free-standing single-lever mixer on the tub, TARA LOGIC reaches elegantly upwards. It looks well-toned and encourages us to emulate it. Because there is no rosette, it looks even more streamlined and aspiring. This results in a progressive, minimalistic verticality that can be transferred to the architecture and design of the bathroom. | Available at www.shopstudio41.com

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.

The steep slope is temporally held with a bio degradable jute while the plants grow in. The plants were chosen for the root structure to hold the soil and for the above ground cover of branches to help reduce the velocity of the rain fall along with slowing the run off to allow for absorption. A ground cover of trailing Gazania to help temporarily hold the soil for a few years was omitted at the install.

Rosenberg Kolb Architects is proud to announce our renovation of a 1747 timber frame house on Nantucket Island, completed in 2011. The first historic renovation project in Nantucket to receive LEED Gold status. The project was given a Grand Award by Eco Home Magazine in July, 2011. The project included: Restructuring the foundations to align and stabilize the structure in addition to providing for a new insulated crawl space; A 260 square foot addition for a kitchen, bath, and new entry; New cedar shingles, roof shingles, and restored historic windows; The house met the strict regulations of Nantucket's Historic District. On the inside, LEED Gold certification was met through: High R-value insulation and reduced air leakage; High efficiency heating, air conditioning, plumbing fixtures, and appliances; Low-emission paints and finishes as well as a clay wall finish; Using reclaimed materials from the original house and other sites. The project has been published in: N Magazine July 2011 Eco Home Magazine July 2011 New England Home June 2011

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!

Green Hammer worked with the client and real estate agent to find a home to renovate to their goals and budget. This 1930’s Alameda house had a robust structure, but the interior was a series of compromised disjointed remodel projects. The clients wanted a contemporary design that could blend with the historic neighborhood. In addition to creating an elegant contemporary design, we air-sealed, added deep insulation, and integrated heat recovery ventilation to reduce energy consumption by 80%. Photography: T.S. Wahlen

Major alterations to the structure completely changed the way the existing spaces felt and functioned. A pitched ceiling replaced the flat livingroom ceiling. Large sliding doors opened the living room directly onto the deck. This functionally doubled the size of the living areas, despite not increasing the footprint. The master bedroom received large stacking slider opening onto the deck, designed for privacy from the living area. Laundry and kitchen are combined with ample storage behind minimalist cabinetry. Storage and bench space are maximised while keeping everything open and airy. The white cabinetry reduces the bulk of so much storage in a smaller space. New insulation, uPVC windows and energy efficient blinds improved thermal performance. A cold house became warm, inviting,cheaper to heat and cool. The outside of the building received new window frames, colour palette, deck, facade lightling, downpipes and gutters. Retaining cladding + floors made this a cost-effective, + radical transformation.

https://bit.ly/2BXMQxo The next benefit of using cork flooring is that this type of flooring offers a higher level of comfort. The structure of cork is such that it is made up of hundreds of millions of tiny cells packed closely together. These cells are air pockets can absorb shockwaves or pressure, so walking on this flooring not only relieves stress on your joints but also helps to reduce the weariness that is brought on when you walk a lot over a hard surface. If you suffer from knee pain or any joint pain, you will find that walking over a cork floor is so much easier than walking over, say a ceramic tile floor.

This outdoor living room offers the homeowners a quiet and secluded place to rest and unwind. A neighbouring Black Walnut Tree reduced the overall functional usability of this backyard, and the idea for an outdoor living room was developed. The pocket doors can be screens or can be switched to glass windows when the weather turns colder, offering extended use of the outdoor room during the shoulder seasons.

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.

CLTHouse is one Washington’s first homes of its kind. Constructed using Passive House techniques and built to exceed BUILT GREEN 4*requirements, the single-family home will deliver healthy indoor air, thermal comfort and easy accessibility to the city. Designed by atelierjones, the Madison Park home is built using cross laminate timber (CLT), a high performance material composed of layered wood and non-toxic glue to maximize energy efficiency, reduce waste and increase structural durability. The unique 1,485sf, 3bd/2ba home will feature a stunning cantilevered second story to provide space for the ground-level carport paved with salvaged foundation bricks, shou sugi ban fir siding and a rooftop terrace with neighborhood views and built-in planters for urban gardening. Images courtesy Lara Swimmer Photography

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Eric Roth Photo

5,411 SF two story home in the Encino Hills overlooking Los Angeles. This home features an attached two-car garage, 4 Bedrooms, 5 1/2 Baths, 2 Offices, Foyer, Gallery, Gym, Great Room, Den, Dining, Kitchen, Morning Room, Mud Room, Laundry, Loggia, Jacuzzi, and a pool with a gorgeous view overlooking Los Angeles. Walls of glass, natural stone surfaces featuring Porcelanosa tile, high ceilings, and sweeping vistas fuse the home's indoor and outdoor environments. The outdoor space features a fire pit, Jacuzzi, and swimming pool; the extensive use of windows not only brings the view inside but maximizes the use of natural light. Photovoltaic panels supply power to the home and pool and dramatically reduce energy consumption year round. Tankless water heaters, bamboo cabinetry and flooring, and tight high quality insulation further reduce the environmental footprint of the home and make it more sustainable...this home is also featured in FIND BLISS and LUXE Magazine. Eco Friendly and Green Home. Photo by: Latham Architectural

Major alterations to the structure completely changed the way the existing spaces felt and functioned. A pitched ceiling replaced the flat livingroom ceiling. Large sliding doors opened the living room directly onto the deck. This functionally doubled the size of the living areas, despite not increasing the footprint. The master bedroom received large stacking slider opening onto the deck, designed for privacy from the living area. Laundry and kitchen are combined with ample storage behind minimalist cabinetry. Storage and bench space are maximised while keeping everything open and airy. The white cabinetry reduces the bulk of so much storage in a smaller space. New insulation, uPVC windows and energy efficient blinds improved thermal performance. A cold house became warm, inviting,cheaper to heat and cool. The outside of the building received new window frames, colour palette, deck, facade lightling, downpipes and gutters. Retaining cladding + floors made this a cost-effective, + radical transformation.

Daylighting with clerestories and solar tubes reduce daytime lighting requirements for baths and dressing areas
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern master gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile, gray floor and single-sink walk-in shower remodel in Atlanta with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, an integrated sink, quartz countertops, white countertops and a built-in vanity

A relatively new existing home on a steep downsloping lot where you park and enter at the upper floor needed to have a dramatic stairway entry. By refining and reducing structure and scale, introducing new glass railing and a combination of wood and white cabinetry, the space now expresses a clean, crisp aesthetic reflecting how the owners want to live. Working with German cabinets by Leicht the kitchen area was sculpted to create more usable cabinet pantry and counter area in a combination of white oak and gloss white lacquer paint. Final touches include a new porcelain tiled fireplace surround and hearth with gas insert and powder room with figured wall and floating walnut vanity. Previously partially blocked by cabinetry, now the new kitchen, dining and living rooms now all share equal access to dramatic views of the bay. Photo Credits: Treve Johnson.