Architects Comments

Here are some images from a recent site visit. Mike’s crew is working fast to make up for some lost time due to the bad weather we’ve had recently so things are changing on a daily basis. The triple-glazed fiberglass windows had just arrived on site the day before my visit so by the next time I go back I’m sure they will have a few in place.

From the interior you can see some of the advanced framing techniques which save materials and actually contribute to a better insulated building. Headers over window and door openings in the exterior walls are kept to the outside face of the wall to allow insulation on the inside, and in non-load bearing exterior walls no headers were used at all thus allowing maximum insulation. Roof rafters, wall studs and floor joists are all aligned vertically to transfer loads directly to the foundation which also makes the system more efficient.

The exterior shot is of the north side of the house where there are few window openings, this is part of the passive solar design to reduce heat loss. Windows on the south elevation are protected by overhangs and exterior sunshades, these were sized to allow maximum sunlight into the house in the winter and to shade the windows in the summer. The large steep roof plays a role in the active solar design by supporting the photovoltaic cells and solar water heating system on the south-facing roof pitch.

I’ll be back on site next week and will return here with more photos and another update.

Site Work Specifics

Sustainable Sites, simply put, is planned to minimize impact on the natural site.  The category includes minimizing demand for water and synthetic chemicals and to reduce heat island effects.  Here are some ways that the Cranberry Ridge home addressed sustainable sites:

-Installed silt fencing around entire site to prevent erosion control.  Erosion is found to cause pollution in our waterways by carrying contaminates to them.
-We left 50% of the previously undeveloped lot undisturbed.  We delineated these areas with flagging and silt fencing and made sure no one parked/worked in these areas. By disturbing the site, it is thought that natural drainage flows can be disturbed and harmfully affect adjacent areas.
-For landscaping we will plant drought-tolerant plantings that don't require irrigation and constant use of water for health.  We will also use indigenous plants from local cooperatives minimizing transportation. 
-Using permeable paving materials for the driveway.  Currently we are carrying a gravel driveway for cost reasons, but may end up using a more resilient materials such as permeable asphalt or concrete.  We are constructing the patio/walkways out of concrete pavers that are spaced at least 1/2" apart to aid in permeability.  Permeability of surface materials assist in reducing runoff and erosion (see first item this list).
-We are limiting turf (grass) to 50-20% of the landscaping.  By doing this, we are reducing the need for water use and runoff.
-We are applying 3-4 inches of mulch around all plantings to improve soil structure and provide natural nutrients around plantings as it decomposes.

Cold Climate Framing Techniques

We have used a few of the Cold Climate building techniques in this house.  The book, by Joseph Lstiburek, holds a lot of information and I suggest you read it.  Here are a few techniques we used in the construction of our LEED house:

-Rigid at the perimeter band joists (outboard of the rim joist) to act as a thermal break
-ICF foundation to minimize heat loss through the basement
-Compressible sill sealer to minimize air infiltration through that interface
-Insulation at all box sills
-2' O.C. framing to conserve lumber as well as maximize insulation in exterior walls
-Rainscreen wall system to prevent moisture retainage in the siding and trim plane - More durable
-Metal roof to minimize snow/ice buildup on roof
-Sealed all wall plate to deck interfaces to tighten envelope

Architect and Builder Speak Up

Great news readers!  Ian Parlin, project architect for Richard Renner Architects, and Ben MacDonald, project engineer for Wright-Ryan, will be contributing to this blog about the LEED pilot home project on a regular basis.  Now there will be a greater opportunity to learn from the professionals about the process, the challenges and what they might do differently next time.  You can post comments and questions to this blog so feel free to use it as an educational tool.

Combating Climate Change

I spoke with a representative from Global Green earlier this week because they are putting together a book about green affordable housing.  Of course, the first thing I did was check out there website.  In addition to finding a source for green building, I came across a simple, short video about 10 easy things one can do to "combat climate change".  It's all so easy.  Check it out!

Commute Another Way Day

For the third year we are participating as a company in the State's Commute Another Way Day.  It's suprising how challenging it is to convince people to try ride sharing or biking to work for even a day.  The good news is that each year we are able to sign up more and more participants. 

With the perpetual high cost of gas and the obvious impact on our climate, driving "smartly" should be encouraged.  We are thinking about an incentive program to reduce the number of cars that drive our employees to work every day and clog up our streets and limited parking.