Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/597330
Located in the Boston, Massachusetts, Metro Area, I have designed numerous projects across the spectrum of en- ergy performance, comfort, and durability, as some of the nation's top energy conscious homes, including six Passive Homes. While many attach transparent labels of "green" or "sustainability" to their work, I provide good, sound design of enduring value that includes sound environmental and energy conscious practices, "Truly Green", to my work. My commitment simply equates aesthetics and durability with performance and responsibility. My experience and collaboration with some of the best Building Science minds has set me apart from the traditional field of residential architecture. It has provided me with the ability to see and understand projects far beyond traditional filters of residential design. It has led me to develop not only aesthetically pleasing architecture, but architecture that inte- grates sound building science principles. The areas of energy efficiency, durability, health, comfort, and environmental re- sponsibility are standards of practice in my work. This results in providing my clients with exceptional, complete, highly valued design solutions. This is what led Don and Amy Bowen to me when they were looking to fulfill their dream. They had four main goals upon embarking on the design of this project: 1. The house meet the goal of Zero Net Energy. 2. Recycled content of all material selections be scrutinized, and chosen when applicable. 3. Domestically manufactured materials receive priority over selections from abroad. Although, simply stated, the challenge was to put these concepts into action as we designed the house. 4. Lastly, the home be designed to a Modern aesthetic, and meet the program. Not unlike much of my work, the challenge was at hand. While it could have been as simple as design a code stan- dard house and install a large enough Photovoltaic Array to "Zero" out the energy bills, Don, Amy and I knew the proj- ect required higher scrutiny. Although not quite meeting the Passive House standard, the house was designed to provide exceptional comfort, health, and durability. I recall visiting the completed project one wintery afternoon when it was 5 degrees outside, and standing in front of a wall of glass watching the snow fall, and realizing just what exceptional comfort meant - no drafts, no chills, just comfortable. Satisfy- ing the concepts of health, comfort, and durability provided the home with exceptional energy efficiency, and in turn set the house up for an easy "Zero Energy" target. In an effort to instill some "New England" into the home, a series of reclaimed beams were used to divide up the clere- story space. In addition, the walls enclosing the mudroom closet were sheathed with a reclaimed barn board, softening the sterile nature of the Modern aesthetic. Lastly a hickory planked floor was chosen for its durability as well as its var- ied spectrum of color, of which is also a nice compliment to the sterile Modern aesthetic. Photography: David Fell