Street facade, showing the ramp and mostly non-turf landscape
       
     
The backyard side of the house overlooks a small yard, a rain garden, and an increasing variety of plants.
       
     
The roof deck features a grill, table and chairs under an umbrella, and a mixed-sedum roofscape that provides a elevated "yard".
       
     
This galvanized steel grating provides a transition between land and house as well as a place to scrape shoes and boots before entering.
       
     
The 8' x 12' screened porch.
       
     
Salvaged cedar fence slats, reused in the screened porch.
       
     
Living room fireplace with natural stone surround.
       
     
Living space, with entry and home organization nook beyond
       
     
110617 living room birch trees with fireplace beyond.jpg
       
     
Daylight, natural maple, and white finishes in the kitchen. The adjustable stools are from IKEA.
       
     
093017 dining room.jpg
       
     
Main floor bath, with zero-entry shower and wall reinforcement for future grab bars.
       
     
Warm sun and a view make for a happy cat
       
     
101818 LEED and GreenStar plaques.jpg
       
     
Street facade, showing the ramp and mostly non-turf landscape
       
     
+
Street facade, showing the ramp and mostly non-turf landscape

This progressive new home was designed with a forward outlook. The main floor functions allow for aging in place. The exterior envelope has 50% higher insulation values than the code requires, and it's nearly as airtight as a Passive House. Pitched, steel roofs are optimized for solar panels, with conduit in place to connect them to the main electrical panel. A planted roof provides oxygen and bonus garden space - away from rabbits and other pests! Over half of the site drains to a backyard rain garden to help contain stormwater and minimize runoff to the street and alley.

The house is LEED Silver certified, and Gold certified by the GreenHome Institute.

General contractor: Morrissey Builders

Cabinets: Partners Woodcraft

LEED and GreenStar rater: Building Knowledge, Inc.

Structural engineer: ALIGN Structural, Inc.

Building Science Consultant: Third Level Design

The backyard side of the house overlooks a small yard, a rain garden, and an increasing variety of plants.
       
     
+
The backyard side of the house overlooks a small yard, a rain garden, and an increasing variety of plants.
The roof deck features a grill, table and chairs under an umbrella, and a mixed-sedum roofscape that provides a elevated "yard".
       
     
+
The roof deck features a grill, table and chairs under an umbrella, and a mixed-sedum roofscape that provides a elevated "yard".
This galvanized steel grating provides a transition between land and house as well as a place to scrape shoes and boots before entering.
       
     
+
This galvanized steel grating provides a transition between land and house as well as a place to scrape shoes and boots before entering.
The 8' x 12' screened porch.
       
     
+
The 8' x 12' screened porch.
Salvaged cedar fence slats, reused in the screened porch.
       
     
+
Salvaged cedar fence slats, reused in the screened porch.
Living room fireplace with natural stone surround.
       
     
+
Living room fireplace with natural stone surround.
Living space, with entry and home organization nook beyond
       
     
+
Living space, with entry and home organization nook beyond
110617 living room birch trees with fireplace beyond.jpg
       
     
+
Daylight, natural maple, and white finishes in the kitchen. The adjustable stools are from IKEA.
       
     
+
Daylight, natural maple, and white finishes in the kitchen. The adjustable stools are from IKEA.
093017 dining room.jpg
       
     
+
Main floor bath, with zero-entry shower and wall reinforcement for future grab bars.
       
     
+
Main floor bath, with zero-entry shower and wall reinforcement for future grab bars.
Warm sun and a view make for a happy cat
       
     
+
Warm sun and a view make for a happy cat
101818 LEED and GreenStar plaques.jpg
       
     
+