3rd Annual Best Examples of Green Building Poll

Mesa Contemporary Remodel

This whole house remodel updated and expanded a 1950's contemporary. In addition to new finishes throughout, the clients' remodeling goals included making their home more comfortable, energy efficient, AND energy self-sufficient. These goals were accomplished with:
1) Passive solar design (a southern orientation, floor to ceiling windows and large overhangs for shading as needed);
2) A high performance shell, with energy-efficient windows and Icynene insulation in both ceiling and exterior walls, keeps the house cool in summer and cozy in winter;
3) Large windows not only provide beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean, but bring in abundant natural light. This, along with light interior wall finishes and LED lighting throughout, keeps electrical demand to a minimum;
4) A 5 kW photovoltaic system on the new butterfly roof powers the home; and,
5) A new roof on the two story addition is just the right amount of space for a pool solar water heating system.

For more information on Allen Associates, visit their member profile page.

The owners of this 1967 brick ranch house in Potomac, Md. wanted to use green materials and practices in a whole-house remodeling project. This couple had an ambitious project that included re-configuring all the rooms on the main level including a master suite, a second story addition, and updating several upper level bathrooms and bedrooms. They requested the remodel include a geothermal HVAC system and solar panels. Another issue the homeowners wanted to alleviate is that the house was dark. Six skylights and seven tubular skylights bring natural light to both floors.

Green Features
1) Energy-efficient argon-filled units from Pella's ProLine series. The windows are wood, but have an aluminum cladding that makes them low-maintenance.
2) Furred walls with Icynene closed cell spray foam and a roof structure insulated with the same spray foam.
3) A vertical closed loop geothermal system. The well-drilling subcontractor dug three 6-inch diameter, 400-feet deep holes in the front yard. Each well works with a different zone in the house (1st floor/basement, 2nd floor, addition). This is the fourth geothermal project completed by Landis and includes the company's office building.
4) There are eighty 4-feet by 2-feet photo voltaic panels on the south-facing roof of the main house, and on the garage. The solar energy covers about 25% to 30% of the home's energy use. The rest is sold back to the utility company. Inverters in the garage convert the DC (direct current) to AC (alternating current).
5) Dual-flush toilets in all the bathrooms.
6) Low-flow fittings and faucets in all the bathrooms.

For more information on Landis Construction, visit their member profile page.

Each McCall Home is ENERGY STAR®-certified and typically offers a 30 percent savings over standard code built homes. Many components of each home work together to achieve this high-level of energy efficiency including: advanced framing techniques, high R-value insulation, better ductwork and seals, low-U value windows, and compact-fluorescent lighting throughout the home. In addition, each home is equipped with an integrated tankless hot water and 95% efficient forced-air furnace that is designed to work with the mechanically engineered HVAC system to provide homeowners with more comfort. Indoor air quality is improved with proper ventilation from low sone bath fans. Additionally, each home is furnished with ENERGY STAR® appliances. How the homes integrate with the surrounding environment is also of great importance. This home's neighborhood is located along a river with access to 16 miles of walking/biking trails and and many parks sprinkled throughout the neighborhood encourage connection and activity between neighbors.

For more information on McCall Homes, visit their member profile page.

Portland Spaces: Kelly-Woodford Mountain Home, Parkdale, Oregon

When Tom Kelly and Barbara Woodford decided to build a Parkdale mountain retreat in the northern flanks of Mt. Hood they could share with others, their natural instincts kicked in early on. It had to be well designed to accommodate friends, family and colleagues in all seasons, be highly functional, efficient, and definitely make a light environmental footprint.

Every aspect of the home supports its mission of sustainability, from external block walls of cement and recycled wood fibers to foot thick insulated structural roof panels, super efficient Marvin Integrity windows that frame the Mt. Hood view and a recycled content shingle-look steel roof. Even the concrete used has a high percentage of fly ash, reducing need for energy-intense cement production. Framing lumber from Warms Springs Forest Products and laminated beams from American Laminators are all FSC certified from sustainably-grown forests.

Though the emphasis was on sustainability, aesthetics didn't take a back seat in this project. Interior walls are a natural richly colored American Clay Plaster; windowsills are angled to admit as much sun as possible. Warm interior millwork and trim was made from decades-old “sinker” logs, reclaimed from the muddy bottom of the Columbia River.

According to Randy Hansell, project manager for Earth Advantage® the LEED for Homes pilot program provider that guided and documented the Kelly-Woodford project, the home “contains some of the most innovative energy efficient products and sustainable materials you can find. This home will last for generations to come and perform well year after year.”

For more information on Neil Kelly, visit their member profile page.