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Project Description:
We began with the idea of creating a structure that took its shape from the landscape. With compound angles of roof and walls we wanted the house to fold sculpturally into the south facing hill with a dynamic and textural form. We designed and detailed the building envelope so that the complex geometry could be constructed with simple conventional methods and still maximize thermal efficiency, passive solar gain and meet the Passive House Standard.
Using a combination of galvalume and fiber cement siding with a drainage and ventilation plane this house will be extremely durable and last for many years to come. The house has very high insulation values; R35 for below grade walls, R61 above grade and an R74 roof. All windows are very efficient passive house certified and we placed them very carefully throughout to allow maximum day lighting and views. We eliminated all thermal bridges using double stud walls and other techniques. 90% of the insulation is cellulose. The space heat demand on this house is a very low 3.81 kBTU/sf/yr which only required one cold climate heat pump for the entire building. The house uses a waste water heat recovery drain, coupled with low flow shower heads and a heat pump hot water heater this yields very low energy and water consumption. The roof holds a 9 KW PV system and the house has been operating at net zero energy use.
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Other Awards:
Efficiency Vermont's Best of the Best Comprehensive Efficiency Honor Award in 2014
VGBN 2014 Vermont’s Greenest Building – Residential
VGBN 2014 Net Zero Recognition
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Site description:
Existing modular home, given to habitat for humanity. Contours Sloping south
Energy Highlights:
cold climate heat pump
9 KW Photo-voltaic system
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Subslab assembly:
Native Subgrade or compacted fill, 6" min. granular backfill to 95% of max. density, 6" crushed gravel, 2 layers of 5" rigid insulation- with staggered joints ( use high-density EPS, type IX, 2 lbs. per cu. ft., 10 mil. poly vapor barrier or equivalent, 6x6- W2.9xW2.9 welded wire fabric(no fiberglass if grinding slab)
Energy Strategies:
The house has very high insulation values; R35 for below grade walls, R61 above grade and an R74 roof. All windows are very efficient passive house certified and we placed them very carefully throughout to allow maximum day lighting and views. We eliminated all thermal bridges using double stud walls and other techniques. 90% of the insulation is cellulose. The space heat demand on this house is a very low 3.81 kBTU/sf/yr which only required one cold climate heat pump for the entire building. The house uses a waste water heat recovery drain, coupled with low flow shower heads and a heat pump hot water heater this yields very low energy and water consumption. The roof holds a 9 KW PV system and the house has been operating at net zero energy use.
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