Archive for the ‘Design’ Category
FSC Certified Lumber – a Positive Relationship with the Land
April 12th, 2010 by adminThe focus of the Passive House in the Woods is energy efficiency. In this post however I would like to turn your attention to another important aspect of the project. Though the house is built from Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICFs) and is sheathed with an Exterior Insulation Finish System (EIFS) there is still a large quantity of wood used on the project for the floor and roof assemblies, the framing of interior walls, and the framing of the garage. I tip my hat to Morr Construction for procuring FSC certified wood for all these applications.
FSC stands for the Forest Stewardship Council, an international non-profit organization that Read on »
Shape Shifting
March 20th, 2010 by Tim Delhey Eian
The exterior shape of house and garage are now near complete. What we are missing is the exterior insulation package, which will add almost one foot to the overall size of the house. The front entry area will also be sheltered by a canopy roof and side wall structure. All in all however, this image gives us a first glimpse at the final geometry of the two buildings side-by-side.
The garage is built using conventional stick-frame construction. We are using advanced stick-framing to reduce the amount of FSC certified wood. The shell is clad with an exterior grade gypsum sheathing. This is the more common substraight for exterior finish and insulation systems.
There will be two east-facing garage doors, and a south-facing side door. This is the only access to the house. There is no interior door connecting the two structures, to avoid both thermal disruptions, as well as a potential for interior air pollution from exhaust gases in the garage.
On top of the garage, the flat roof will be filled with sedums, planted in a tray system. This will minimize storm water run-off and create a more pleasant view from the roof top terrace up above. Remaining run-off is slated to be captured in rain barrels for use on site.
Site Considerations
March 15th, 2010 by Tim Delhey Eian
The first person to join the Passive House in the Woods team was Laurie McRostie—a south Minneapolis landscape architect. Laurie brings years of experience with sustainable landscape design to this project. The site, while beautiful, provided a fair challenge for any professional. Heavy woods and shrubbery filled this southwest facing slope. A huge front setback governed by the Hudson Township pushed the area in which any building can be placed well down the hill from the front elevation. A hefty elevation change added to the challenge of placing a house, garage, and driveway in an earth-friendly manor.
Collaboration and Strategies
At TE Studio, we collaborated with Laurie and the client to complete a detailed analysis including the existing significant trees and plans, drainage patterns, slope and grade changes, soil types, and the location of views on an off site. We determined the easiest and most welcoming entry point to the site, while maintaining maximum solar exposure. The elevation of the building was set such that minimal grading and site disturbance would be required. We focused on our client’s needs to maximize the enjoyment and use of outdoor space.
The Result
As a result of these efforts, we were able to save significant trees and control tree loss. Kiln-dried wood from the site will actually go back into the building as trim and flooring. The access to the home is welcoming and clear. We captured maximum solar exposure and limited the amount of grading necessary. Our design captures stormwater for reuse and infiltration in rain gardens. The garage features a green roof to further minimize storm water runoff. Our client preserved plants for site restoration. Laurie’s new site plan includes native landscape preservation and restoration to prairie and woodland. In addition, the site will be used for intense, localized food production. The exterior deck structure and rooftop terrace capture dramatic views of the woods and the St. Croix river valley. The choice of materials is based on durability, local sourcing, and the use of recycled content.
We look forward to sharing impressions of these efforts later in the year.
Room with a View
February 14th, 2010 by Tim Delhey Eian
So far, most of the blog posts talked about the construction of the Passive House in the Woods. Todays post focuses on the architectural side of things. There are many reasons why people design homes a certain way, and place them on a specific spot on a building site. As a designer, I believe in the architectural principle of “genius loci”, a theory states that any place (locus) comes with circumstance and opportunity. We can recognize and build on these features, and respond to them with our work. Read on »
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