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Case
Study: 
GreenHOME I
Key design elements:
Holistic design
Reuse of salvaged materials
Passive solar design
Reduced construction waste
Water- and energy-conserving fixtures
and landscaping
Location: Washington, D.C.
Developer:
GreenHOME is a non-profit all-volunteer
organization dedicated to demonstrating and promoting affordable, sustainable design,
construction and landscape practices for homes and communities throughout the Washington,
D.C., area.
Cost: The total
net cost of construction was $66,369.
Size: 1186 sq. ft.
Features:
According to the developer’s
website, GreenHOME incorporates energy- and resource-efficient design features and careful
construction to ensure a "tight envelope," as well as environmentally friendly
building products and landscaping. Throughout the construction process, low-impact
construction techniques, recycling and reuse were top priorities. GreenHOME also
participated in and drew materials from the deconstruction of homes in the metropolitan
region. As a result, a number of high-quality recovered products are featured, such as
heart pine floors, salvaged studs reused in interior wall framing, an antique brick
foundation facade, walnut kitchen cabinets, and a cast iron bathtub.
Other features include passive solar
design, with large southeast facing windows for maximum winter heat and a large living/dining room with an open kitchen, to
maximize passive solar gain. The house is oriented toward the southeast due to the lot
placement on a diagonal street, which happens to be the best orientation in this climate
to maximize passive solar benefits.
Energy efficiency and water conservation
were major factors in decisions, from appliance selection to landscaping, insulation to
light fixture selection.
The house was designed as an integrated
system, by considering how particular building component selections affected other choices
and the overall design. For example, although energy-efficient windows cost more, they
reduced the heating and cooling loads of the house and increased its energy efficiency.
This allowed smaller and less expensive heating and cooling equipment, thus saving both
the homebuilder and the homeowner money.
Strategies to minimize solid waste were
applied, such as designing the house on 24-inch increments, recycling or re-using waste,
and minimizing spaces used exclusively for circulation, such as hallways. This allowed the
house to be smaller by square footage but functionally larger than a house of comparable
price.
More Information: GreenHOME organization website.
Pattern reference: 1, 4, 6, 13, 14, 17,
19, 20
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