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PORT PERRY HOUSE (2003) Purpose and Goals: A design sensibility that is based on continuous conservation our design approach relies on the structure and envelope to provide the comfort typically provided by appliances. This approach facilitates “living large, while consuming little.” Innovative Techniques: The stiff structural frame permits passive solar heating and in-floor heating to function at its best without the need for a furnace. During the summer, a flat roof adorned with perennials, keeps it cool and comfortable without the need for air conditioners. Implementation: 12” Truss joists typically used for floor and roof construction are used vertically for the walls creating a curtain wall type of system allowing maximum insulation with minimal amounts of structure. Demonstration Results: The house functions like an efficient engine– and resource-conserving machine, converting only ambient resources for domestic use. It gets the clients what they want to do using minimal resources. Cost/Beneifts: The floors are heated by hot water from solar panels and by sun directly through glass. Mass under glass is sufficient to heat eliminating a furnace and therefore reducing our reliance on fossil fuel saving more than $1,000 per year on energy costs. SUSTAINABLE FEATURES: |