MODERN HOUSE DESIGNS

Passive Solar Home Design Conserves Energy, Exudes Style

Carol Richard of the Atlanta-based architecture firm Richard Wittschiebe Hand designed a passive solar home design in Madison, Wisconsin, which she calls her castle. Also known as Ross Street House, this modern sustainable architecture project was a collaborative effort with her mechanical engineer husband, Fred Berg, and was recognized as Wisconsin’s first LEED for Homes Platinum-rated residence in July 2009. Set in a neighborhood of post-war Cape-Cod-style homes peppered with some “modern” 1960s homes, this residence was actually designed to fit into its environment. Thus, the unobtrusive square shape (modeled on a box camera) and two-toned cedar siding and roof to make the house appear smaller than its 2,700 sq. ft. The wood-clad house is positioned to take in as much winter sun and summer shade as possible for passive cooling. The windows also naturally illuminate the open-concept living area, which is a bright and airy space of double-height proportions. Light and local maple and a white palette further create the illusion of more space. Three floors are connected by the open, industrial-style staircase. Additional eco-sustainable features include water conserving dual-flush toilets, low-flow faucets, a tankless water heater and a rain-water recycling system. VOC-free paint and adhesives limit chemical off-gassing. Topping off this cool eco house, the garage is topped with photovoltaic panels that cover more than half of the home’s energy requirements each year. Richard Wittschiebe Hand
via Contemporist
photo credit: Zane Williams

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19 Mar 2010 | Sustainable Homes | Comments (0)

Recycled Houses - Repurposed Steel and Concrete from the I-93

Big Dig House in Lexington, Massachusetts, designed by SsD Architects, is a lesson in sustainable building practices with stunning results! This recycled house comes from steel and concrete salvaged from Boston’s Big Dig, using over 600,000 lbs of materials repurposed from elevated portions of the dismantled I-93 highway. Because of the materials’ high load-bearing potential, the architects incorporated elaborate rooftop gardens. Designed and built in pre-fab fashion, this wood, glass and steel home features an industrial-chic interior design, with warm natural woods contrasting cool steel and concrete details. The house is laid out in a series of layers with lofts, providing each separate living area some privacy while keeping them all connected in the grand scheme of the design. SsD Architects
via Contemporist

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15 Feb 2010 | Sustainable Homes | Comments (0)

Ranch Style House Design Goes Sustainable

Charged with bringing new life to an older 1950s ranch style house, m.o. daby design worked their magic on the Burke Residence, located in Portland, OR. Clad in wood from the outside in, this ranch house was in need of a complementary receiving area so an entrance foyer was added to its existing footprint. Continuing through to the main living areas, a family room, kitchen and dining room were given the open concept treatment for a space suited to socializing and entertaining. The open style layout also allows for the entire space to be flooded with natural light via a wall of glass. The home’s rich wood floors, ceilings and details of Douglas fir, cherry, and cedar wood glow in the sunlight. Sliding glass doors lead out to a rear deck, completing the connection to the outdoors. Taking its commitment to nature that much further, this sustainable house features a list of eco elements that’ll make you go “green” with envy, such as: native and water-efficient landscaping; sustainably harvested or reclaimed Douglas fir finishes and details; metal roof; durable concrete lower floor surface; whole house ventilation; radiant floor heating with high-efficiency boiler; sunken entry with shoe storage to trap dirt and dust; non-toxic wood sealant; and pervious driveway surface. m.o. daby design.

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13 Jan 2010 | Sustainable Homes | Comments (0)

Solar Powered House Design

This solar powered house isn’t your typical German House design. Created by students of the Technische Universitat Darmstadt in Germany, this striking solar house has garnered them top prize in the Solar Decathlon competition. With a goal of designing an energy-efficient home plan, the team took to the drawing board and came up with this sustainable architecture project: two-storey, cube-shaped house, with a facade and roof clad in solar cells which will produce 200 per cent of the home’s energy. This eco house design is also highly insulated and equipped with automated-lourve window shades to reduce unwanted heat-gain. Furthermore, this sun powered home incorporates smart features such as hide-away furniture and appliances, or those with multiple uses to make the most of every resource available. Technische Universitat Darmstadt.
photo credit: Jim Tetro

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17 Dec 2009 | Sustainable Homes | Comments (0)

Energy Star Certified Homes by ZeroEnergy Design

Based in Boston, architecture and energy consulting firm ZeroEnergy Design stayed true to its name in this modern eco sustainable home, which treads lightly on the land and is a vision of self-sufficiency and Earth-friendly living. Located in Orleans, Massachusetts, the 2,300-sq.-ft. sustainable house is bright orange on the outside, but it’s green everywhere else. The eco house design features eco friendly elements like a grid-tied solar electric system, solar hot water system, radiant floors, a hydro air system, an energy recovery ventilator, open and closed cell spray foam insulation, rigid insulation and Energy Star-certified HERS 39. Outdoor entertaining areas abound with an open front porch and rooftop deck that puts you among the treetops. Adjacent to the deck, a lushly rooftop garden is “green” threefold, acting as an insulator, reducing storm-water runoff, and housing 2.5 kilowatts of solar electric panels delivering 30 per cent of the home’s electricity. This rooftop garden house features additional renewable and recyclable details like bamboo flooring, recycled glass tile and FSC certified Garapa wood used for the porch and rooftop deck. ZeroEnergy Design
via Contemporist

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16 Dec 2009 | Sustainable Homes | Comments (0)

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