Green Line Architects

Wall Street Journal article on Lloyd Kahn's new book: Tiny Homes, Simple Shelter

2012-01-30T09:54:00.000-08:00

The Wall Street Journal printed an article about Lloyd Kahn's new book: Tiny Homes, Simple Shelter. Our Crystal River Treehouse has two full two-page spreads in the book, and this great interior shot by Brent Moss is included online in the slideshow:

Wall Street Journal - Business Section - January 30, 2012

Crystal River Treehouse as featured in online slideshow

Green Line welcomes new staff: Jeremy Wussow

2012-01-17T10:49:00.000-08:00

Jeremy Wussow

Green Line Architects recently hired long time local Jeremy Wussow as a new architectural staff member. Wussow is happy to be back, "As long time local residents, my family and I are very excited to reestablish our connection to the Roaring Fork Valley. "

He comes to Green Line with over 13 years of experience with Rudd construction. The next 4 months of working as an architectural intern will fulfill the requirements for his degree, a Bachelor in Environmental Design at Montana State University in Bozeman. Once he receives the undergraduate degree, he will begin MSU's intensive one-year (three semester) Master of Architecture degree program, which he hopes to complete by May 2013.

"I'm looking forward to working at Green Line. I think it will be a great experience for me," says Wussow.

Chances are, you haven't seen him in a while, so stop by the office and say hi!

TINY HOMES, Simple Shelter

2011-12-28T11:56:00.000-08:00

Our Crystal River Treehouse is featured with two full two-page spreads in Lloyd Kahn's new book:

"Tiny Homes, Simple Shelter, scaling back in the 21st Century."

Pre-order now, available Jan 31, 2012.

(Lloyd published "Shelter" in 1973 and has continued to publish inexpensive books about unique, earth-friendly home designs ever since...)

See additional Crystal River Treehouse images on Green Line Architects' web site.

AIA Colorado - Where to find the right architect...

2011-11-02T13:33:00.000-07:00

Designing and building a home is one the largest, riskiest endeavors a family will enter into. Don't take a chance on hiring an architect who may not be qualified! The AIA Colorado web site is the best place to go to find registered architects in Colorado. It is set up so that you can search by almost any criterion: from sustainable design to furniture, commercial to residential, and affordable to high-end.

Photo from AIA web site - Asan Institute for Policy Studies by iArc, reknowned Korean architecture firm.

Stillwater Affordable Housing Project - Pitkin County, Colorado

2011-09-08T11:50:00.000-07:00

Years back, Green Line Principal, Steve Novy, was project architect on an affordable housing project on the outskirts of Aspen. It was part of a subdivision created by the legendary architect Fritz Benedict. He and his wife Fabby dedicated a sizable portion of land, right along the Roaring Fork River east of Aspen, to affordable housing.

Perspective Rendering of Neighborhood

The county wanted to create comfortable, aesthetically appropriate homes that were energy-efficient, environmentally sensitive, and healthy - with clean indoor air. We established a program that included 17 units, a mix of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom layouts.
One of the wealthy neighbors objected to the project, and held County to the letter of the law with regard to a "natural materials setback." There was a setback in which only natural materials were allowed. We didn't see this as a problem, since we were using all natural materials. Or, so we thought. It was argued that the composite roofing is not natural, and the only truly natural roofing material that could be used was slate tiles! (not exactly an appropriate material for an affordable housing project)

Site Plan - showing 17 units

The project was built... at 13 units, and it has gotten rave reviews.

In fact, it was reported in todays' Aspen Daily News that Pitkin County commissioners will be using this project as a model for new affordable housing projects they will be building in the near future. Aspen Daily News Article.

Here's what they said:
"The commissioners agreed that the ideal investment would be to buy land and then build new housing on it, modeled after the county’s 13-unit Stillwater project east of Aspen."

Duplex West Elevation

Pitkin County First to Require Neighbor Review of Solar Panels

2011-08-12T09:15:00.000-07:00

Getting a building permit in Pitkin County has just gotten more complicated. Pitkin County now requires neighbor review of solar panel installations larger than 200 square feet.
The bureaucracy grows... For us architects, it is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing in that the myriad of codes and regulations does in fact provide us with more work, but a curse in that it slows down, and in many cases jeopardizes our projects.

Pitkin County First to Require Neighbor Review of Solar Panels - Aspen Daily News Article

Workstations / Office Space - For Rent in Carbondale, CO

2011-08-08T16:08:00.000-07:00

If you are relocating your business to Carbondale, Colorado, or just need to get your business out of the house, consider renting a workstation at Green Line Architects' office. We're right in the heart of Carbondale, not even a block from Main Street.

Each workstation is equipped with an iMac. The office is bright, comfortable and has AC!

We have a full size plotter, professional grade copier/scanner/fax/laser printer.

Rent by the hour, by the day or by the month!

Print your favorite photos at poster size.

Print/plot and assemble your reports in our fully equipped office.

iMacs run Auto-Cad and ArchiCad, and they have an extra screen. So you can come in to draw or design your project.

It's like a Kinko's in Carbondale!

Call Steve at 970-963-6689 for more info.

So, its healthy and fun in the Roaring Fork Valley?

2011-07-22T11:50:00.000-07:00

Here is an article from the Post Independent today.
Glenwood Springs will be featured as the Most Fun Town in the US for Rand McNally's 2013 road map.

I keep telling you all to move out this way!!

Go by the Gear Exchange and tell them you're looking for a good time!

Colorado mountain living adds years to your life!

2011-07-07T10:31:00.000-07:00

It would make sense that people who live in healthy environments and who live a healthy lifestyle would live longer, and this study from the University of Washington helps to confirm that suspicion. Living a healthy mountain lifestyle truly adds years to your life!

For those who are considering a move or a lifestyle change, it would seem an obvious choice to buy or build a home in one of our mountain communities, stay active and buy some time!

Carbondale, Colorado is probably the best choice. Not technically in Pitkin County, but just as healthy, maybe healthier! Just come by and check it out. You'll see.

LINK to Denver post article.

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Green Line Architects specializes in healthy, efficient, new home designs, additions and remodels. Call for a free consultation.

What does an architect do?

2011-06-30T15:56:00.000-07:00

Here is a great diagram showing the entire design process. Take a look. The items in blue are fairly well understood, but maybe not the rest!

For example, have you considered having your architect accompany you to view potential building sites or existing homes? If not, maybe you should consider it. Who better than an architect to help you evaluate a piece of property before you buy it! Most architects will do it for free, in the interest of getting their clients the best possible building site, and in the interest of getting the design work!

Post-Construction Evaluation! - Now, that's one of the most important ones, and we haven't been hearing about it much. Knowing whether you've got a functional building and that the owner is satisfied are terribly important points. Don't you think!?

Green Line Architects in the Press

2011-06-27T13:52:00.000-07:00

Here is a nice business brief that was published in the "Inside Business" section of both the Aspen Times and Glenwood Post Independent:

Caltech’s Laboratory to be First LEED Platinum Lab

2011-06-23T08:57:00.000-07:00

Link to article.

Great article by Cam Burns!

Green Line Architects Team completes Net-Zero Energy (NZE) Home in Lenado, CO

2011-06-01T16:27:00.000-07:00

A small home with optimal efficiency, a LEED-H Gold rating, and -5 HERS Index!

Southeast view of Master Bedroom

Entry View toward Kitchen

Master Bath Vanity

Master Bath - Custom Stainless Steel Japanese Soaking Tub

South View showing Solar Hot Water Panel Array

Southwest View of Living Room

(Carbondale, CO) -- The Green Line Architects team has achieved the Holy Grail of energy-efficient home design: a small, off-grid home in Lenado, CO with Net-Zero Energy (NZE) use. An NZE home produces the same amount of energy it uses on a yearly basis. At only 2000 square feet, this home represents an efficiency of scale that could help to shape the future of the American home.

"NZE consumption for homes in our cold climate is a lofty goal, and we've finally done it." said Steve Novy, Green Line’s principal. "In fact, this home is situated at 8600 feet in elevation where there are only 4 and a half hours of sun per day in the dead of winter."

View of Living Room and Tulikivi Wood Stove

The home was built for Branden Cohen of True Nature Healing Arts who bought the property at the top of Woody Creek from "Lumber Jack" Hogue. "I came to Steve with an vision for a beautiful, ultra-efficient, off-grid home. I had been living off the grid for some time in Jack's old cabin, which I renovated and maintained. So, I knew exactly what needed improvement," said Cohen. Novy assembled a team of experts to address this unique design challenge: an optimized, high-performance, off-grid home.

The team met in several charrette sessions to design the home. Cohen asked the team to move the house up the hill, where it could get more sun. The solar hot water system was taken off the roof in the new design for easier access and maintenance. It was Cohen's desire to make all of the home's systems more reliable and more efficient; and to make living off the grid a little more comfortable. For example, because the bathhouse had been separate from Lumber Jack’s cabin, Cohen requested that the bathroom be put inside the new home.

Re-use and recycling have become important considerations in green building design, and none more so than in this home. Many of the materials from Lumber Jack's original cabin, bathhouse and garage were deconstructed for use in the construction of the new home, such as the cotton insulation, bronze door hardware and exterior compact fluorescent (CFL) lighting fixtures, to name just a few.

The majority of the wood materials in the home is Forest Stewardship Council certified or "FSC" wood. The FSC certification shows that the wood was produced from responsibly managed forests.

All of the finishes are low toxicity and natural products. Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) were used, which are delivered on-site pre-cut. This dramatically reduces the waste on the site. "This is the lowest waste home we have seen," said Megan Gilman from Active Energies, the project energy consultant.

Gilman emphasized the importance of energy performance in building design. "Lowering energy consumption is the most important design consideration in new homes. The long-term impacts of this exercise are great, so get the energy equation right!" she said. The home has received a HERS Index of -5. (minus 5). That means that it is 105% more efficient than a standard home.

Although the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) has only recently started to track HERS index scoring, but it is believed that there is only one other home in the state with a lower Home Energy Rating System (HERS) index than the Cohen home.

The HERS Index, also known as the EnergySmart Home Scale by the US Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Program, shows the energy efficiency of the home. For example, a score of 100 is a code-compliant home, based on the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code; a score of 50 would be a home that is 50% more energy-efficient than the baseline home; a score of zero is considered a Net-Zero Home, one that produces the same amount of energy on a net yearly basis as it uses. The home is also registered with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes program and anticipated to receive a LEED-H Gold rating.

The use of SIPs allows for a very high level of continuous insulation, which makes all the difference in the Cohen. The walls are R-40 and the roof is R-60. The insulation, combined with extremely low air infiltration -- 0.10 natural air changes per hour -- makes for an ideal building "shell." According to most architects, getting the shell designed and built properly is the most critical part of the entire design and construction process. "Once the shell is super-insulated and airtight, that's when we start thinking about the other systems," said Dennis Powell, former project manager at Green Line Architects.

Modern building science is at the heart of these new super-homes. "We have learned from the best," said Novy of his experience working with Joe Lstiburek and Betsy Pettit, FAIA of Building Science Corporation. "Joe and Betsy always remind us of the simple things, like the mantra: 'You cannot make a building too airtight, you can only under-ventilate it.'"

With that advice in mind, Dave Houghton and August Hasz of Resource Engineering Group incorporated two Heat Recovery Ventilator units (HRV's) into the home design that provide heat exchange, ventilation, and filtration. More than just an air delivery system, the heat exchange component allows cold outside air that is being brought in to be heated by the warm, stale air that is being exhausted. "Although this house is literally built like a refrigerator, you could leave the house for months, and come back to a home that will smell fresh and clean," said Houghton.

Houghton and Hasz also designed the extremely efficient solar thermal system, which uses eight large solar hot water panels and interfaces seamlessly with the high-efficiency boiler. On the structural side of the design, the two contributed greatly to reducing the material use in the home by “right-sizing” all of the structural members.

Windows are a key shell component when going for great energy performance. Here, the team chose triple-pane windows with a very high insulation value -- a U-Value of 0.117 and R-Value of 8.54. Keeping in mind that the rest of the wall is R-40, Novy reminds us that an R-Value of 8.54 window still has less than ¼ the insulation value of the wall. "Windows are where we are seeing some of the fastest technological developments. In fact, just a few years after we specified this glazing, we have new products available that have twice the insulation value," Novy said.

The GLA Team also took advantage of the newest available lighting products by incorporating LED-compatible fixtures into the home design. Aaron Humphrey, of Alpenglow, Inc., the lighting design firm, has only good things to say about LEDs. "The low electricity demands, paired with excellent light quality, make LEDs an obvious choice," extolled Humphrey. Over 90 percent of the light fixtures in the Cohen home are LEDs, and the remainder are compact and linear fluorescents, which creates a very low electricity demand: an extremely low 1 watt per square foot!

As with most off-grid homes, renewable energy systems provide the primary heat and electricity for this home. An array of eight 4 foot x 10 foot solar hot water panels provides space heating and heating for domestic water. These are paired with a storage tank, and a high-efficiency boiler as backup. "Having redundancy of systems is absolutely necessary in this type of off-grid setting," said Novy.

The photovoltaic (PV) system provides all of the necessary electricity, except for extended periods of clouds, rain or snow. For these times, there is a back-up generator. One aspect of the PV arrays that distinguishes this home from others is the tracking function. "The trackers allow the PV panels to follow the sun throughout the course of the day," explained Novy. "They increase the efficiency of the PV arrays by roughly 25 percent." Cohen had used two existing PV arrays on trackers successfully while living in the cabin, so another array on a tracker was added for the new house.

Building integration of renewable systems is the buzzword these days in the design community. Architects are tasked with making the solar panels and other renewable systems a part of the design of the home, not an afterthought. Unfortunately, many of the solar homes and earth ships of the 1960’s and 1970's created something of a stigma for solar homes. Since then, architects have made great efforts to erode that stigma. There has been a strong movement to design aesthetically pleasing green homes that fit into their surroundings. Green Line Architects set out with that intent: to design a home that fit into the rustic character of the historic mining and logging town of Lenado. "We tried about 20 different roof designs before we got it right. The design had to be fairly simple and work well with all of the historic homes and sheds in the area," said Novy.

The aesthetic is that of a finely detailed mountain cabin. The interior finishes are durable and beautiful. The slab black walnut benches, and door and window finishes were designed and crafted by local furniture maker David Rasmussen of David Rasmussen Design. Laura Bartells, of GreenWeaver, Inc., a local straw-bale and plaster expert, worked up 20 to 30 plaster samples before the color was selected. She installed a dark, almost chocolate-colored natural earthen clay plaster on much of the interior walls.

As with most of the Woody Creek area, there is a good story that goes with the location of the Cohen home. Jack Hogue, also know as "Lumber Jack," was rumored to be a cranky mountain man who always carried a gun. Hogue squatted on this piece of land at the top of Woody Creek for 17 years, built a cabin and a bathhouse there, and in the 90s finally received title to it through adverse possession (essentially squatting on it for 17 years).

Finally, Novy, who has a degree from the University of Colorado, College of Environmental Design, suggests that there is always more to learn in the creation of efficient buildings. This year, the 5th semi-annual Solar Decathlon competition will be in Washington, DC where university teams compete to design and build ultra-efficient small homes. The CU Team won the first two of these competitions in 2002 and 2005. Novy attended in 2005 and came away with a wealth of knowledge, inspiration and creative energy to design even better, small homes. His hope is that the Cohen Net-Zero Energy home will inspire architects, builders and homeowners to strive for the next level of efficiency in home design, and use this home as a model for creating high-quality high performance housing in the US and beyond. "If we were to start producing this kind of home in a factory, as an engineered product like we do with automobiles, we would see even better, more reliable home designs and get even higher energy performance," Novy forecasted. "This is how I would like to see our good old American ingenuity put to its best use, toward beautiful buildings that help create a secure energy future."

Green Line Architects – Beautiful, Sustainable, Functional Architecture

For more information about NZE homes, contact Steve Novy at Green Line Architects: 970-963-6689, snovy@greenlinearchitects.com, www.greenlinearchitects.com.

Basic Info:

•Main messages: This is a product of good old American Ingenuity! (Let's help ourselves by promoting the construction of this type of home in the future)

•Off-the-Grid, Net-Zero Energy home at 8650 feet in elevation, in Lenado, CO where there are only 4 and a half hours of sun per day in the dead of winter. HERS Index score of Minus 5: a score of 100 is a code-compliant home; a score of 50 would be a home that is 50 percent more energy-efficient than the baseline code-compliant home; a score of zero is considered a Net-Zero Home, one that produces the same amount of energy on a net yearly basis as it uses. The Cohen home is one of the most energy-efficient homes in the state, and on target to receive LEED-H Gold certification.

•The Cohen home is a great example of a small home - only 2000 square feet, smaller than the average American home.

•Located in Lenado, above Woody Creek in local favorite, George Stranahan's territory, and up the road from the old haunts of Hunter S. Thompson, the land was bought from Jack Hogue, aka "Lumber Jack" who was extremely cranky and who always carried a gun. Hogue got title to the land from squatting on it (adverse possession) for 17 years.

•Low-waste design, limits burdens of hauling from remote site, and limits burdens on landfills.

•The Cohen home is built in the Colorado cabin vernacular style, old Lenado cabins and sheds were the inspiration.

•Much of the materials from "Lumber Jack's" existing cabin, bath house and garage were used in construction of the new home.

•Located only 5 minutes as the crow flies from Aspen,CO , but worlds apart.

•Constructed of Structural Insulated Panels, or SIPs, which create an extremely tight building shell with very little air infiltration. Literally, built like a refrigerator.

•The home utilizes a solar hot water system and solar electric system for power with a back-up generator for long periods of cloudy days.

•95 percent of the lighting uses LEDs, the best new technology with great light quality and very low energy consumption.

•High-performance window glazing – Center of glazing U-value of 0.117 (R-Value of 8.54)

•Re-used, natural, recycled, and local materials were used including Forest Stewardship Council certified or "FSC" wood was used throughout the project.

•Interior plasterwork was done by Laura Bartels, of GreenWeaver, Inc.

•Unique, custom built-ins, furniture and wood finishes by David of David Rasmussen Design.

Team:

Owner - Branden Cohen and Deva Shantay, True Nature Healing Arts

Architect of Record- Steven A. Novy, AIA, Green Line Architects

Project Manager – Jeff Dahl (now with Carbondale Beerworks)

Project Manager - Dennis Powell (now with DK Architects)

Architectural Design / Furniture / Wood Finishes – David Rasmussen, David Rasmussen Design

Mechanical and Structural Engineers - Resource Engineering Group,

Dave Houghton, PE and August Hasz, PE

Energy Consultant / Rater - Megan Gilman, Active Energies, Inc.

Photovoltaic Expert - Scott Ely, Sunsense Solar Electric and Renewable Energy

Solar Hot Water / HVAC Expert - Patrick Johnson, Solar Flair Thermal Systems, Inc.

Interior Plaster - Laura Bartells, GreenWeaver, Inc.

Lighting Consultant – Aaron Humphrey, Alpenglow Lighting Design, Inc.

Contact:

Steven A. Novy, AIA

Principal

Green Line Architects

65 N. 4th St., Suite 5

Carbondale, CO

81623

Tel. 970-963-6689

Fax. 970-963-0265

snovy@greenlinearchitects.com

The High Life - Colorado Homes Magazine article on Crystal Treehouse

2011-06-01T15:45:00.000-07:00

photo by Steve Novy

Hilary Oswald and the team at Colorado Homes and Lifestyles magazine did a great job on the photography and writing for this article on our Crystal River Treehouse. Check it out!

The High Life

Architecture Students Competing to Design/Build Tiny Solar Homes

2011-04-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Jeff Dahl and I attended the 2005 Solar Decathlon. It has been one of the most exciting things going in residential design... super-small 600 sq. ft. homes, each one a jewel of creativity and efficiency. The competition inspires truly beautiful, energy-efficient, eco-friendly designs.
This year, all of the teams' have prepared conceptual models and virtual walk-throughs, which are online prior to the event. See link.
US Dept. Of Energy's Solar Decathlon

Net-Zero Energy (NZE) Home in Silverthorne!

2011-04-20T14:38:00.000-07:00

Link to Summit Daily Article...

2011-04-08T14:51:00.000-07:00

Make US Buildings Net-Zero Energy Buildings - Now, There's an Idea!

Green Line Architects' recently completed Net-Zero Energy Home in Lenado, CO!

Americans are Largely Uninformed About Their Energy Sources

2011-03-24T10:34:00.000-07:00

After the recent earthquake and tusnami in Japan, we are hearing a lot of talk about reconsidering our plans for new and exisitng nuclear power facilities. Will we take this as a warning?
Will we use this as an example of the rationale for using renewable energy sources?
Cross your fingers...

No Nukes? Really? - Shelton Group Article

WSJ Article

2011-03-04T13:08:00.000-08:00

Join us for some high-performance home designs in the most expensive town in America!

Aspen, the Most Expensive Town in America

Not convinced? The Sardy House was sold in 2006 for $16.25 million, its listed now for $23.5 million.

NREL Building seeks Net-Zero Status

2011-02-25T10:05:00.000-08:00

LINK - Pushing the limits of net-zero energy building design.

This building in Golden is worth visiting...

Shouldn't every new building be Net-Zero?

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Frost on Windows

2011-01-12T13:46:00.000-08:00

This time of year in Colorado, when nighttime temperatures get down to 20 below zero, we get calls from people worried about frost on their windows. The beautiful crystalline pattern of the frost is not appreciated when it thaws and drips onto the window sill, creating a problem for the homeowner. This moisture can soak into a wood sill, degrading it and causing discoloration. Eventually, if it keeps happening, there is the potential for mold growth.

Why does this frost occur?

Its all about dew point, the temperature for a given relative humidity at which airborne water vapor condenses on surfaces. So, when the surface temperature of the interior pane of the window is below the dew point, condensation on the glass surface will occur. The dew point depends on both temperature and relative humidity.

What can you do to avoid the frost?

1 - Use high-performance glass.
In snow country, we recommend using a high-performance glazing product like a triple-pane window. The better the insulation value of the window, the higher the temperature of the interior glazing surface, and the less likely it will be to frost.

2 - Use insulating shades appropriately.
Many of us are using insulating shades to increase the R-value of the window assembly, a good idea, but consider this: Even though your insulating shades help keep the heat in the room, they also help keep the cold on the glass. Unfortunately, since there is not a true air seal between the insulating shade and the glass, the shade allows moisture-laden air into that space. There it will condense onto the glass surface, causing frost on those cold winter nights. In order to keep from having frost on the window and subsequently water droplets on the sill, Mike Dollahan of Architectural Windows and Doors recommends keeping the insulating shades open at least 4" at the bottom. This allows warm air from the interior to heat the glass surface so that it does not drop below the dew point.

3 - Watch your home's interior relative humidity.
In Colorado, an interior relative humidity of 25% to 35% is normal. But if you are humidifying your home, or if you have a pool or hot tub inside, relative humidity levels will go up. As they go up, the chance for frost on the windows goes up, too. (you may want to buy a hygrometer to keep tabs on those humidity levels!)

4 - Use fiberglass or vinyl windows. The frames of these windows are typically better insulated than wood-framed windows, and they won't discolor or become saturated when the frost thaws and drips on them. Fiberglass windows are considered to be the best choice for overall performance and longevity. The process of making fiberglass is not too impactful; and its made from a very abundant resource, ...sand!

Net-Zero Energy Monster homes?

2010-12-13T11:10:00.000-08:00

Here is a great little article in Living Green Magazine by one of our local green gurus, Auden Schendler: http://www.livinggreenmag.com/archives/green_building/net_zero_homes.html

Architecture in the Roaring Fork Valley

2010-12-10T12:34:00.000-08:00

Here is a radio interview I did on KDNK about the state of the economy and its effects on the local architectural community.

la Fête des Lumières de Lyon

2010-12-01T11:06:00.000-08:00

You don't have to speak French to enjoy these amazing photos of the Light Festival in Lyon, where I used to live!

HIS or HERS?! The EnergySmart Home Scale

2010-11-17T09:23:00.000-08:00

The HERS Index... you may be hearing a lot about it, but what is it? (currently this rating is being re-branded as the "EnergySmart Home Scale")

The HERS Index is a scoring system in which a home built to the specifications of the HERS Reference Home scores a HERS Index of 100, while a net zero energy home scores a HERS Index of 0. The lower a home's HERS Index, the more energy efficient it is.

Each 1-point decrease in the HERS Index corresponds to a 1% reduction in energy consumption compared to the HERS Reference Home. So, a home with a HERS Index of 85 is 15% more energy efficient than the HERS Reference Home and a home with a HERS Index of 65 is 35% more energy efficient.

If you're buying a new home ask to see the HERS Index! (if the home doesn't have one, get it tested!)

If you're building a new home, make sure to ask your architect to design it for a specific HERS Index. (70 or lower is a good goal and also the threshold to meet the DOE's Builders' Challenge)

Stay tuned for info on Green Line Architects' Net-Zero Energy Home being built high up in the Colorado mountains.

House Size Matters?

2010-11-16T08:57:00.000-08:00

This Japanese home is extremely space-efficient, and besides the lack of art on the walls, looks very livable.

Could you be comfortable living in roughly 825 square feet?

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Garfield County Clean Energy Challenge for Homes

2010-10-27T12:18:00.000-07:00

In addition to some great rebates for energy efficiency improvements, there is free online energy tracking! Very cool!

Visit the CLEER web site.


NextGen Affordable Solar Home

Architecture of the Aspen Art Museum

2010-10-25T09:06:00.000-07:00

What do you think of Shigeru Ban's design for the new Aspen Art Museum?

Do the clean lines complement the natural landforms around it?

Or is it too modern for an historic mining town?
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Small-House Utopia

2010-10-18T08:30:00.000-07:00

How do you convince an American public that smaller homes can be more virtuous than larger ones? After all, we have been taught to chase after huge homes with a low cost per square foot for some time, now.
This is the next task at hand for American Ingenuity, figuring out how to make smaller, more energy efficient homes the norm.
Check out this great article in the NY Times.

It gives me some hope for the future of the small home!

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Art in Denver

2010-10-04T07:13:00.000-07:00

Cantilever!

This was modern when I was a kid.

Note to Liebeskind, this is the way NOT to design roofs in snow country. I'd give it 10 years, tops.

Pierre Paulin's "Tongue Chair"

Colorado PassivHaus? almost...

2010-09-26T08:44:00.000-07:00

This morning brings us a great New York Times article about where we are headed in green building design. Bravo, people!

Here is a shot of Green Line Architects' recently completed Off-grid PassivHaus! (Passive House to us Americans)

The Living Room trusses are made of reclaimed timber and steel, and you can see a section of the 12" thick, R-60 SIP's (structural insulated panels) being installed above for the roof. High insulation values, coupled with a very airtight "envelope" and proper ventilation make for an extremely energy-efficient home. This one is estimated to be 94% more energy efficient than a standard home. That's very near Net-Zero Energy!

Stay tuned for more news about this terribly exciting new home...

UPDATE

5-13-2001

Turns out this house is 105% more energy-efficient than the standard home, which means that it is a Net-Zero Energy or NZE Home!!

Technically, it falls just short of being a true PassivHaus. See notes from our energy consultant, Megan Gilman, of Active Energies, Inc. below:

Performance Characteristics

PassiveHaus Standard 1 • Airtight building shell ≤ 0.6 ACH @ 50 pascal pressure, measured by blower-door test.

This home had 0.1 natural air changes per hour and an ACH@50Pa of 2.14. LEED and other programs have started using ACH@50Pa (LEED has three tiers of infiltration for this climate – required 5.0 ACH@50, 2 points for 3.5 ACH@50, and 3 points for 2.0 ACH@50. These figures make sense… we were very close to LEED’s most stringent level.

PassivHaus Standard 2 • Annual heat requirement ≤ 15 kWh/m2/year

(4.75 kBtu/sf/yr)

Our annual heat requirement (according to HERS) is 12,000 kBtu/year, so this would be 5.96 kBtu/sf/year. This might be a hangup, if it doesn’t meet their requirement. However, they specifically say that it has to get this energy use in their software, which has specific weather and conditions, which could be a bit different

PassivHaus Standard 3 • Primary Energy ≤ 120 kWh/m2/year (38.1 kBtu/sf/yr)

Our total is 7,200 kBtu/year. Yeah, I know that it’s weird that this is lower than the heating requirement, but this is because the PV production knocks down the total energy requirement. I suppose the specific heating requirement is to ensure that you don’t just have a home with bad insulation and windows and slap a bunch of PV on. Anyway, this total energy use would be 3.58 kBtu/sf/year.

In addition, the following are recommendations, varying with climate:

PassivHaus Recommendation 1 • Window u-value ≤ 0.8 W/m2/K Window U-value is 0.213 in English units (Btu/hr-sf-degree F). To convert to SI units, the conversion factor is 5.678, resulting in a value of 1.21 W/m2K. They say this varies by climate, but I’d bet we’d be in one of the more aggressive climate zones.

PassivHaus Recommendation 2 • Ventilation system with heat recovery with ≥ 75%

efficiency with low electric consumption @ 0.45 Wh/m3 I believe the HRV has an efficiency right around or above 75%. My records show there is a 500 cfm unit (really two 250 cfm units) that runs 2.5 hours per day at 300 watts total, which is a total of 31.25 watts-hours per day, divided by 907.16 cubic meters is 0.034 W-h/m3. This seems really low, but they wrote cubic meters, so that’s what makes it so low. I don’t believe this item would be a problem.

PassivHaus Recommendation 3 • Thermal Bridge Free Construction ≤ 0.01 W/mK

I believe that with a SIPS shell, that this house is on par.

Villages in France

2010-09-22T12:23:00.000-07:00

Check out the amazing masonry work on these buildings in France. From L'Internaute.com.

Bargème, Var

Châteauneuf, Côte-d'Or

Noyers, Yonne

Pérouges, Ain

Lavaudieu, Haute-Loire

Modern Treehouse

2010-08-26T20:29:00.000-07:00

We outfitted the treehouse with some modern furniture...

What do you think?

(thanks to Robyn Scott, Kim Umemoto and of course Dave Rasmussen!)

Mallet Design Study

2010-05-06T14:40:00.001-07:00

That oughtta do it.

-rollin' post

Greener and Weirder

2010-02-05T08:24:00.000-08:00

Are we thinking about this in the right way? Check out Alex Steffen's article:

ArchCalc Construction Calculator

2009-12-16T10:09:00.000-08:00

This is a great piece of FREEware for your computer. We've been using handheld versions of these calculators in our office for a long time. They are simply a "must" for doing quick dimension string checking, and for estimating materials.
This one from Stefan Hampden gives you all of the main functions of a construction calculator. It works in feet and inches, converts to metric, converts between fractions and decimal, solves trig functions and has a tape display.

It is available for:
Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98
and
Windows XP / Vista and MAC!

Its free, but if you like it and use it, please pay Stefan $20 for his hard work on this... I did!

Why Use an Architect?

2009-12-02T19:49:00.000-08:00

Architects save money. An architect's services are a wise investment because a well-conceived and designed project can be built more efficiently and economically. As ideas evolve, changes can be made on a computer screen or paper much less expensively than when construction is under way. Other ways architect-designed projects save money include:
• Designs that take full advantage of solar heat and natural lighting to save on energy needs.
• Space-efficient plans use less floor area, which can result in 5% to 15% cost savings on a home.
• Flexible design solutions accommodate future growth and usage needs.
• Accurate construction costs based on detailed drawings and specifications that result in quality materials and workmanship at a fair market price.
• Materials, finishes, and design solutions that reduce maintenance and replacement costs.
• Architect-designed homes sell faster and hold higher resale values.

Architects solve problems. The architect is the one professional who has the education, training, experience, and vision to guide the design and construction process. This broad knowledge helps architects focus individual home owners' needs to maximize their investment in livable square footage on time and within budget. Architects stay abreast of advances in roofing, brickwork, floor tile, paint finishes, and other building materials to ensure a smooth and cost-effective building process
Architects see the big picture. Few people realize how complicated it is to build until they find themselves lost in a maze of design options, building codes, zoning laws, and contractors. Architects don't just design four walls and a roof; they create total environments, interiors and exteriors that satisfy specific needs and functions. If a project requires engineering or other construction services, an architect can coordinate the team of experts. An architect sorts out complex building codes and zoning laws and can locate qualified contractors, visiting the construction site to ensure that the project is built according to plans and specifications.
Architects know aesthetics. Your architect will design a home for your personal tastes that works within the context of the local vernacular style and the community. Architects design homes to be timeless, with long-lasting appeal.
Architects give you peace of mind. Architects hold the health and life safety of building occupants as their highest calling.

For more information: AIA, How Design Works

Net Zero Energy Buildings (BL09)

2009-11-11T14:39:00.000-08:00

Use on-site renewable energy such as PV or wind.

1 kW of PV produces 1700 kWh/year in NoCal.

Use polycrystaline PV for highest efficiency. (and keep them cool)
Other types of PV.:
Thin film
Amorphous
BIPV, such as shingles

Lay PV panels flat to maximize surface area and production. (tilted, the panels need to be moved apart to keep from shading each other)

2 story buildings allow for a good ratio of electricity production for a given floor area.

Design circuits to shut small PV strings down when they become shaded.

Use power purchase agreements to allow third parties to take tax incentives.

Clean renewable energy bonds. (follow up)

Electrochromic glass to reduce heat gain? Sounds interesting, but it's expensive and requires MORE electricity.

Daylighting - 40 foot building width has been found to be optimal.

Control plug loads - see 2006 ACEEE report

Americans spend 85% of their time indoors.

Don't share thermostats.

Decouple heating and ventilation.

Nationwide, 15% to 20% of all energy goes to power our buildings HVAC systems.

Active chilled beams. Deliver the right amount of air ALL the time.

Radiant cooling reduces energy used to move heat by a factor of 7.

SF Bay water is being used as a heating / cooling element for the new Exploratorium.

Target 50% reduction in computer / server plug loads. Look at server virtualization to eliminate multiple servers.

How do we measure savings?
It's not as easy as product manufacturers will tell you.

Circuit by circuit measurement system to see load shapes.

Commissioning - verify that systems are performing as designed.

Compare modelled energy use to actual energy use.

What about colder climates? (no good answer)

Energy policy in CA makes for less of a difference between the ZEB design and the base case.

Look for automated diagnostics in the future.

Peter Rumsey, PE, FASHRAE
David Kaneda, PE, AIA, LEED AP
Scott Shell, AIA, LEED AP
David Lehrer, LEED AP

Greenbuild pedicabs

2009-11-11T12:59:00.000-08:00

Amongst the seemingly endless sprawl of a desert oasis, a glimmer of hope comes in the form of a human powered vehicle.

Sz

Carbondale Scenic Overlook

2009-11-04T20:14:00.001-08:00

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Here is our proposal for the redesign of this small structure, which is the first representation of Carbondale that you see when driving in from the north.

We're hoping that this will someday be the home of a new Environmental Learning Center. This is a high profile location, which welcomes many visitors to Carbondale as well as to the upper part of the Roaring Fork Valley. It will serve as a learning center about sustainable principles, and will promote renewable energy and sustainable site and building construction. According to CDOT reports, the Scenic Overlook has over 30,000 visitors per year and we expect that with the proposed upgrades it will substantially increase that volume.

The project will demonstrate to local residents and visitors the benefits of renewable energy and sustainable construction. The construction will be done in exemplary fashion to promote the best sustainable options, by taking the existing structure, re-using a large portion of it, re-orienting the roof toward the sun, adding grid-tied PV panels with energy efficient lighting and natural materials such as straw bale walls and re-claimed materials, such as the roof structure.

We see this as a community project, where many local residents have been involved in the design and decision-making, we will also tap into the network of volunteers we have locally to build the structure together. The site will be planted with native vegetation, which will re-establish a healthy xeric landscape. With our abundant sunshine, our local commitment to renewable energy and sustainable construction, and the location scenic overlook, we feel we can give an excellent first impression of Carbondale and the upper Roaring Fork Valley. It will make local residents and visitors aware of the Roaring Fork Valley’s leadership position in regards to renewable energy and sustainable construction.

The project will serve as an education resource for students throughout the area, and will expand our local sustainable education through the design and construction, kiosks and interactive learning stations. It will encourage students to further explore green education in their school and community. The electric meter itself will become a learning experience, demonstrating the production of energy with the meter running backwards. Once the Satank Bridge is reconstructed we hope to see field trips of students walk over the bridge from CRMS and The Carbondale Community School.

The Experience

• The Environmental Learning Center will provide educational programming, information on ecology and trails, and will promote local green businesses.

• The structure will be a quiet respite from the noise of Highway 82 where visitors can sit and revel in the majesty of one of the valley’s most dramatic peaks, Mount Sopris.

• It will make local residents and visitors aware of the Roaring Fork Valley’s leadership position regarding renewable energy and sustainable development.

• It will increase the visibility of clean, renewable energy generation technologies and sustainable construction methodologies through education and community outreach.

• Climate education – demonstrate the environmental impact of energy savings.

• It will act as a guideline for sustainable development, exhibiting viable strategies for addressing the energy and environment issues of today.

• The overlook will educate and inspire people about the potential and the need for renewable energies and design.

The current scenic overlook energy bill is under $10 monthly. With the new PV system and roof orientation towards the all-day-long sun exposure, the overlook will be putting a great deal of energy back onto the grid. The volunteer based construction vision will be open to all community members, young and old, and will provide a sense of pride and ownership. This project will not only serve Carbondale, but the whole Roaring Fork and Crystal River Valleys. Over 30,000 visitors annually will be stopping at the only scenic overlook in the valley, and learning what all of our communities value most — our environment and how to sustain it’s health and growth.

Our increasing global concerns regarding energy and environmental issues present a timely opportunity for this project. One goal of this project is to become a change agent by being a source of education to inform individuals of positive developments in the field and how they may participate in fostering responsible stewardship of natural resources, and protecting mountain ecosystems.

The current conditions at the Scenic Overlook are not exactly “scenic.” The roof structure is in disrepair and does not reflect well on our community. There are also power lines in the way of the views of Mount Sopris.

The overlook is designed to be a small taste of the type of solar and sustainable construction structures one sees in the valley.

VIEW FROM SOUTH:

Modern Stair

2009-11-04T20:10:00.001-08:00

Soffit of The Crystal Treehouse

2009-11-04T19:47:00.000-08:00

An array of non-parallel floor joists is so much more beautiful...

Space Efficiency: Smaller Can Be Better

2009-10-22T09:28:00.000-07:00

In the green building world, we believe the best way to limit energy use, reduce carbon emissions, and save money is to focus on efficiency and conservation. One excellent way to accomplish this is “space planning” -- designing spaces that maximize the effectiveness of the floor area they occupy.

The complexities of working out an efficient floor plan can be quite challenging, but when done right and spaces are stacked properly, the reward is a livable space with exactly the right amount of circulation, volume and storage. And, smaller space means smaller utility bills. A good space-efficient design can save 10 to 20 percent on floor area. Not only does that save on building materials and labor, it also saves on space heating and cooling costs for the lifetime of the home.

An exercise in space efficiency might be as simple as drawing out the furniture on a floor plan to make sure everything fits. Or, it could be detailing a Mud Room with benches, cubbies and pegs to maximize vertical storage in a small room. One of our favorite design elements – that also happens to save space – is the spiral stair, as it typically uses less than one half the square footage of a straight staircase.

Ideally, the best way to maximize the use of floor space is to look at it in 3D. We use 3D modeling software to build the space and then fine tune that model for space efficiency. Very often, this means a room carefully filled in with built-in storage options. It could also involve making sure that the space under the stairs is used wisely.

As in any integrated design process, one must not sacrifice aesthetics or functionality of the home to achieve space efficiency, but should rather balance it as one of the many design criteria.

When starting a new home design, addition or remodel, consider the layout carefully, identify honestly the functions of the rooms and be careful to maximize the use of precious floor space. It’s surprising how space-efficient you can become with a little creativity. And, you’ll be doing your part, as smaller, space-efficient homes with lower energy budgets will be the backbone of our New Energy Economy.

by Steven A. Novy, AIA
Principal, Green Line Architects, PC

published in Mountain House and Home, Fall 2009

Hover Tent

2009-10-19T10:42:00.000-07:00

We have been stringing up this trampoline in various locations around the Colorado mountains, to use as a play area, or as an oversized hammock for 6. I've been curious if one could integrate a light tensile structure with a tent-like cover for protection from the elements... Its not quite ready for production, but as you can see, there is an allure to having a completely suspended sleeping space. There are numerous design and technical issues to work out before it would work for sleeping, but it looks promising!

Next Gen PassivHaus

2009-10-14T07:59:00.000-07:00

Our Next Gen Homes designs in Blue Creek Ranch are shown as examples of the PassivHaus Standard in this technical article by John Straub of Building Science Corporation.

9 Out of 10 Americans Want Solar, Now.

2009-10-09T10:47:00.000-07:00

Green Builder Dispatch

Solar Decathlon

2009-10-09T10:04:00.000-07:00

The 2009 Solar Decathlon is going on now on the Mall in Washington, DC.
Here are some of the daily shots of the designs:

Jeff and I went to DC for the 2005 competition. My alma mater, CU-Boulder, won that year and in 2003.

For more, go to:
Solar Decathlon 2009

.

Micro Space Frame Design

2009-10-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

Green Line Architects and David Rassmussen Design are teaming up to create a new line of future-thinking furniture.
This space frame chair is a good example of a starting point for one of the designs. It uses small wire segments to achieve a super-efficient, open structure. You'll note that the amount of material used to create the structure is minimal. As long as fabrication is not too time-consuming, space frame construction is a model of efficient design. (from David Rasmussen's blog, a product from Milano Design Week 2009) Its more of a traditional chair form, which is maybe too hard-edged and maybe not perfectly comfortable...

So, our plan will be to do this with the stated goal of achieving the best possible ergonomic designs. Our research started this week with some spirited discussions of how to use small space-frame tetrahedra to create comfortable anthropomorphic furniture, and how to create a better ergonomically designed seat that will help people with posture, and allow for better comfort and productivity.

The first prototype of an "Ergonomic Wing Seat" has been iterated, and will now be redrawn, rehashed, trashed and rebuilt.

1000 sq ft.

2009-07-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

The footprint of this passive solar home we designed in Redstone, Colorado is a mere 1000 square feet and is in the form of a perfect rectangle. This is a great example of how to keep the design of the house simple and the size of the house down. The roof lines are articulated to add interest and integrate with the porch. With a SIP's wall system, it has exceptional insulation and airtightness. Thanks to Devon for the photo!

Top 20 Under 40

2009-06-25T09:43:00.001-07:00

Jeff Dahl
Green Line Architects
Carbondale, Colorado
970-963-6689
greenlinearchitects.com

Jeff Dahl is on a mission. “We’re trying to get
as efficient as we can, to the point where our
homes use zero net energy,” he explains of
the mission he’s embarked upon with partner
Steven Novy. And although he’s found
that “greenwashing” has diluted the impact
of the term “green building,” his firm is doing
its best to do things right. “As far as we’re
concerned, energy efficiency is probably the
most important aspect of green design,”
Dahl says. Building smaller, ultra-durable
homes that will last for generations is also a
priority. The trick, says Dahl, is marrying
sustainability with aesthetics. “If it doesn’t
look good, then it’s not worth it,” he says.
And although the firm’s architectural style is
faithful to Colorado’s mountain vernacular,
but with a modern twist, each design is a
unique solution with a look that’s one-of-akind.
“We don’t want to get pigeonholed into
any one style,” Dahl says. “We always try to
create timeless designs for real people.”

Spiral Stairs

2009-06-16T14:15:00.000-07:00

We really love designing stairs. This shows the variations we considered for a stair to access a loft space off the living room for an existing home in Carbondale, CO. Vote for your favorite!

Web Site is LIVE!

2009-06-10T15:50:00.001-07:00

Our web site: www.greenlinearchitects.com has just gone LIVE! (after a long time in development)
also check out Dave Rasmussen's new web site: www.davidrasmussendesign.com/

Steve

Off-Grid Solar Home in Lenado, CO

2009-06-03T15:30:00.001-07:00

Here are some photos of a house of ours that's under construction.
It is off the grid, and has a current HERS rating of 13! That means it will use 13% of the energy of a code-compliant home, very close to net-zero energy usage, which may be achieved based on occupant behavior. The walls and roof are constructed with SIP's panels. It will have 3 tracking photovoltaic arrays and (8) 8 x 10 solar hot water panels. The exterior is designed to be low-maintenance, and a large part of the exterior materials are coming from existing buildings on site that are being deconstructed!
It is expected to receive a LEED-H Gold certification.
Check out our completed projects at: Green Line Architects Web Site

Also, check out one of staff's new web site at: David Rasmussen Design

D9 or EO?

2008-12-23T15:53:00.000-08:00

As far as I know, I am not lysdexic. (Brad, I'm not making fun of you)
I could have picked up on this much earlier, but honestly, I just couldn't have believed the depth and breadth of the ineptitudes. The saga of the Stompaz' D9 Apocolyptic Jerzeez is full of that made-for-the-big-screen drama, and surprises around every corner.
The latest intrigue comes from our D9 logo / stencil that was irreversibly reversed on the sleeve. You may note that it says, "EO" instead of "D9."
Since we carry around mirrors to remind ourselves that we're not vampires, we can use them to see the D9 as a proper D9.

As usual, SteveZ is on the task of backtracking through confidential documents to get this sitchewation rectanglified. Do not panic. Do not worry.

Happy Chriztmaztime.

Valley Journal 12.18.08

2008-12-18T14:06:00.001-08:00

CARBONDALE, Colorado — The type of community organizing that defined President-elect Barack Obama’s early political career might just be an answer for Carbondale businesses as they look for ways to help each other survive the current national economic downturn.

Namely, Carbondale could benefit from a more inward focus when it comes to an organized, concerted effort to encourage local residents to support local businesses and services.

These same ideas were promoted by the Carbondale Economic Localization group that had been meeting in recent years, pointed out Steve Novy of Greenline Architects during a roundtable discussion among local business leaders last Thursday.

“At the core, Carbondale is much more savvy than a lot of other communities when it comes to working together to find solutions,” Novy said.

The meeting was part of a two-day “Community Conversation on the Economy” sponsored by the Carbondale Chamber and the town of Carbondale.

That “conversation” will continue next month when business and community leaders are asked to reconvene, and this time bring at least one more person each to the table. The next meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at Town Hall.

“The most intriguing thing to me is that Carbondale already has this ability to be self-supporting, and self-sufficient,” Novy said. “It’s a concept people have embraced, and it’s a way to stay healthy in a weak economy.”

But that’s not to say the effort to maintain and build the local economy should stop at the town limits, pointed out Adam Odoski, owner of the Via Viva imports store in downtown Carbondale.

“We are forced to come together and think about each other in tough economic times,” Odoski said. But that also means marketing Carbondale on a broader scale, he said.

“Carbondale is a tricky spot to do business,” Odoski said. “There is a seasonal draw, but there is not as much going on year-round to attract people to Carbondale.

“We need to come up with a brand, and push that brand regionally and even on a national level,” he said.

The event began with a Wednesday panel discussion bringing together three local financial experts to assess how the national economic crisis evolved, what’s being done nationally to address it, and what local communities such as Carbondale can do to weather the crisis.

“One of the things we can do is keep things local, and work together to encourage people to shop local and focus on our local economy,” said Farrah Roberts, senior vice president of Alpine Bank in Carbondale, and a member of the chamber’s board of directors.

Joining Roberts on the panel were Ron Speaker, president and CEO of the Carbondale-based Equus Private Wealth Management, and Dan Korleski, chief investment officer for American National Bank.

“Be glad you are in Carbondale, Colorado, because it is a better place to survive this crisis,” Speaker told the 75 or so citizens who attended.

That’s because the kinds of unique solutions required to pull through a major recession are more likely to catch on in smaller communities that are already used to working together to address problems locally, he said.

The crisis on a national level was a result of too much greed and too many consumers spending beyond their means, the panel agreed. The recession will likely prompt consumers to rein in their spending habits, but what spending they do is more likely to be done locally, they said.

Carbondale resident Wendy Anderson turned it back onto the bankers on the panel to help the local community find solutions.

“Banks are getting bailed out, but we’re not,” Anderson said of the recent $700 billion federal bailout package. “We need you to stand up as leaders and help bring it back to Main Street, and look at what kinds of things can be done in the way of grants to small businesses and micro-enterprising.”

Going Whole Hog on Green Homes

2008-03-14T16:25:00.000-07:00

As green architects, we are often asked to design a truly green home. Here’s how we do it:

There is so much complexity and there are so many choices in designing a green home, we use what we call an integrated or “whole systems” design process. This process looks at the interaction of all the systems in and around the home with the intent of having all of those systems work together to gain maximum efficiency in the design and operation. Whole Systems Designs integrate all of the site, building and occupant needs. They also set the bar for reducing impacts on the earth.

No single system, like solar hot water panels, can make a home green. So, to get to truly green designs, we take cues from historical architecture and add to that what we learn from design in nature. This can be a somewhat challenging task. To achieve this level of design, we address all the following issues:

Appropriateness of the site for development: (Some places shouldn’t be developed!)

Aesthetics: (Just because its green doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful; it must be.)

Comfort: (Green buildings are naturally comfortable.)

Space efficiency: (Smaller is better when you’re trying to reduce impacts.)

Energy efficiency: (An energy efficient home costs less to operate and demands less from our municipal infrastructure)

Quality and durability: (Houses should last a long time, 75 years or more, and materials should last, too, and be low-maintenance.)

Responsible material use: (Materials should be from rapidly renewable sources and should be found locally whenever possible, such as engineered wood products made from aspen trees.)

Healthy indoor environments: (Great indoor air quality makes for a healthy home.)

Reuse and recycling: (Materials can be selected that have an “afterlife!”)

Lifecycle design: (Finding out how long it takes for a system to pay for itself helps you decide which system to use.)

Reduced water use: (The utmost in importance in our arid mountain and high desert climates.)

It’s quite a list, I know. To do it right takes a small team of talented individuals. You may have an architect, a builder, a structural engineer, mechanical engineer, lighting designer, acoustic engineer … it all depends on the project and the priorities of the owner.
We assemble this fantastic design team in what we call a “design charrette.” A design charrette can be as simple as having the owner, architect and contractor at the table for key meetings, or as involved as a two day marathon with all of the stakeholders in the same room hashing out design ideas. The advantage gained from a design charrette is that the team members get to know each other by working together up front on the project. Great amounts of information can be analyzed and synthesized into design ideas when the entire team is working together; essentially, multiple heads are better than one for brainstorming creative solutions to tricky design challenges. And everyone walks away from the design charrette with a clear idea of his responsibilities on the project and his next tasks.
You’re probably asking yourself: Does it cost more to get really green using this whole systems approach? Probably in the design, but not necessarily in the construction. The beauty of a fully integrated, whole systems design is that many of the systems get downsized and sometimes even eliminated! What we’ve found is that if you attack the problem from all angles, you arrive at a solution that is so efficient that it becomes simple and cost-effective.
So, be creative, understand your impacts, and whenever you can, go whole hog!

By Steven A. Novy
March 12, 2008

For more information on Whole Systems Design, Google: Building Science Corporation, Living Building Challenge, LEED for Homes, and Built Green Colorado.

Steven A. Novy, AIA is a principal and partner in Green Line Architects, PC. A small collaborative firm in Carbondale, Colo., that is committed to designing truly sustainable, beautiful, functional homes.

Green Roof Lines

2007-11-05T15:59:00.000-08:00

Shouldn't homes use all of the solar energy available to them first? Such will be the case with this mountain-slash-modern passive/active solar home.