Christina Faminoff www.christinafaminoff.com www.faminoff.ca

Christina Faminoff www.christinafaminoff.com www.faminoff.ca
Home office - home office idea in Vancouver

This solar powered and completely recycled structure was designed and built as a luxury camp spot utilizing the sleeper cabs from two semi-trucks. It features some of the best stargazing in the country, and a view that stretches from the Steens Mountain range to Malheur Lake.

This Boulder, Colorado remodel by fuentesdesign demonstrates the possibility of renewal in American suburbs, and Passive House design principles. Once an inefficient single story 1,000 square-foot ranch house with a forced air furnace, has been transformed into a two-story, solar powered 2500 square-foot three bedroom home ready for the next generation. The new design for the home is modern with a sustainable theme, incorporating a palette of natural materials including; reclaimed wood finishes, FSC-certified pine Zola windows and doors, and natural earth and lime plasters that soften the interior and crisp contemporary exterior with a flavor of the west. A Ninety-percent efficient energy recovery fresh air ventilation system provides constant filtered fresh air to every room. The existing interior brick was removed and replaced with insulation. The remaining heating and cooling loads are easily met with the highest degree of comfort via a mini-split heat pump, the peak heat load has been cut by a factor of 4, despite the house doubling in size. During the coldest part of the Colorado winter, a wood stove for ambiance and low carbon back up heat creates a special place in both the living and kitchen area, and upstairs loft. This ultra energy efficient home relies on extremely high levels of insulation, air-tight detailing and construction, and the implementation of high performance, custom made European windows and doors by Zola Windows. Zola’s ThermoPlus Clad line, which boasts R-11 triple glazing and is thermally broken with a layer of patented German Purenit®, was selected for the project. These windows also provide a seamless indoor/outdoor connection, with 9′ wide folding doors from the dining area and a matching 9′ wide custom countertop folding window that opens the kitchen up to a grassy court where mature trees provide shade and extend the living space during the summer months. With air-tight construction, this home meets the Passive House Retrofit (EnerPHit) air-tightness standard of

This completed home boasts a HERS index of zero. The most noteworthy energy efficient features are the air tightness of the thermal shell and the use of solar energy. Using a 17.1 kW Photovoltaic system and Tesla Powerwall, the solar system provides approximately 100% of the annual electrical energy needs. In addition, an innovative “pod” floor plan design allows each separate pod to be closed off for minimal HVAC use when unused. A Grand ARDA for Green Design goes to Phil Kean Design Group Designer: Phil Kean Design Group From: Winter Park, Florida

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 shingles themselves are the solar power source, with no shingle underneath or panel above. These integrated solar shingles blend and are more attractive than other solar roofing solutions. Photo credit: Chuck Shanlever

Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts gray two-story concrete fiberboard house exterior design in Portland with a metal roof

Photography by: Darren Setlow
Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in Portland Maine

This attractive two-car garage was built with a solar electric system to supply power for the residence. The pitch we desired for the solar system allowed for a spacious upstairs work/storage area. The siding is stained pine board & batten.

Inspiration for a craftsman home design remodel in Boston

Scott Abbott

Roof mount view from the ground
Elegant home design photo in Philadelphia

Steven Lefler
Home design - contemporary home design idea in San Diego

Photo by Jeff Demetriou
Inspiration for a modern shed remodel in Atlanta

Kassidy Love Photography
Example of a large classic beige one-story stucco gable roof design in San Francisco with a metal roof

Solar roof mount view from the ground
Home design - traditional home design idea in Philadelphia

Client had full wall of windows and sliders on golf course facing west. UV damage and heat build up meant a change was needed. Client invested in motorized roller solar shades. Without wanting to add outlets or run power cords, we selected Q Motion battery powered shades. Three of the shades span 118" covering multiple openings. Each head rail is covered by a fabric wrapped valance for continuous look with existing drapery panels. Judy Cisler