David Dietrich
Carefully placed on a sloped site and situated amid trees protec…
Architectural design, sustainable performance, and careful placement on a tricky site combined to win this project a Grand Award. The judges especially liked the consistency and connection of natural materials used inside and outside the home, the linear layout and exposure along the sloping topography, and how the house connects to and blends in with its vegetated surroundings.
The project team took great care to preserve the property’s existing trees during construction and focused on landscape details that include 3,750 gallons of rainwater catchment storage for irrigation; pervious walkways, patio, and driveway; and drought-resistant plants. Toto dual-flush toilets and low-flow Danze showerheads and lav faucets aid interior water efficiency, and greywater drain lines are roughed-in for future use.
Exterior finishes include standing-seam metal roofing, FSC-certified wood shingles, and locally harvested stone. Interior materials feature stone, tile, and naturally finished wood flooring; urea formaldehyde–free maple cabinets with concrete countertops; FSC-certified interior doors; and low-VOC paints and finishes throughout.
Energy efficiency targets were met using Icynene spray-foam insulation throughout; Hurd low-E, argon-filled windows and doors; a 15+-SEER heat pump and high-efficiency water heater; and low-voltage lighting. Lines are roughed-in for future solar system installations.
But it was the successful balance between the sustainable design and high-performance features that tied everything together for the jury. As one judge said, “This project shows how achievable sustainable design can be in creating a bright and livable home connected to the outdoors, while integrating performance features that improve water efficiency, indoor air quality, and energy demand.”
Project Details:
Project
Celo Residence, Celo, N.C. | Size: 1,538 square feet | Cost: $350 per square foot | Completed: October 2008 | Certification: Energy Star | HERS Rating: 75 | Architect: Samsel Architects, P.A., Asheville, N.C. | Builder: Sunspace Homes, Burnsville, N.C.
Green Highlights
Energy: Dow extruded polystyrene under slab / Icynene spray-foam insulation in wood-framed assemblies / Hurd low-E, argon-filled windows and doors (U factor 0.29) / SEER 15+ American Standard electric heat pump / high-efficiency DHW / low-voltage interior lighting and LED landscape lighting / rough-in for future PV / Energy Star appliances |
Resources: 25% to 30% fly-ash concrete / FSC-certified cedar shingles / Marshfield recycled-content interior doors / advanced framing layout / local stone for fireplaces / standing-seam metal roofing |
IAQ: natural cross ventilation / Honeywell controlled mechanical ventilation / low-VOC interior paints and sealants / no-added-urea-formaldehyde interior doors and cabinets |
Water: Toto dual-flush toilets / Danze low-flow fixtures / 3,750-gallon rainwater cistern / rough-in for greywater system / drought-resistant plants / permeable surfaces
PRODUCTS
Windows & Exterior Doors: Hurd / Roofing: Englert / Siding: Maibec / Rainwater Collection: Norwesco / Insulation: Icynene / Appliances: Bosch, GE, Miele, Sharp, Sirius, Viking / Kitchen Faucets: Dornbracht / Toilets: Toto / Bath Faucets & Showerheads: Danze / Interior Doors: Marshfield / Interior Lighting: Artemide, Lithonia, Modular International, Tobias Grau, Visa Lighting / Exterior Lighting: B-K Lighting / Paints & Stains: Earthpaint / Flooring & Carpeting: Ceramic Technics / HVAC: American Standard
