Brookfield Residential set out to design a model home for the firm’s Avendale community in Bristow, VA , that was a cut above their standard production models. What they created, dubbed “PureBlue” by the Brookfield team, artfully melds sustainability with a classic aesthetic into one of the most energy-efficient homes in the Washington, DC area.

By employing 6 ½” SIP wall panels, triple-pane windows, and an ERV, the PureBlue home cuts heating and cooling loads in half compared to its neighbors. To achieve net-positive energy, the home’s roof mounted 10-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system will generate enough onsite electricity to cover operational needs and sell back excess to the local utility company. Water efficiency is addressed by collecting, filtering, and storing greywater from sinks and showers in a 500-gallon cistern piped for drip irrigation.  According to an estimate by SWA Senior Building Systems Engineer Elliot Seibert, Avendale homes constructed using PureBlue’s energy conservation measures will save residents around $2,100 in gas and electric bills compared to standard-performance neighborhood homes of similar size.

Working with Mark Leahy of Pinnacle Design in Fairfax, SWA helped the team select a cost-effective balance between efficiency measures and solar panels to meet their net-zero goal. The Washington Post offers a detailed profile on the PureBlue home that examines how architecture interacts with innovative energy conservation measures.