i + D - March/April 2020 - 55

Bates Masi +
Architects made the
most of daylighting
for a waterfront
project on the
Chesapeake Bay.
(Image: Courtesy ©
Michael Moran/OTTO)

Bow Crow Design's
Top 10 Practices for Creating
a Sustainable Home
1. Small, simple footprint

When it comes to designing the shape of your house, a box or rectangle
is best. A simple house is inexpensive to build and easy to insulate.
It doesn't have to be boring.

EchoHaven's owners decided they would have no gas line into
the community, so its homes rely on electricity. In addition to
knowing they have zero greenhouse gas emissions, EchoHaven
residents also enjoy a reduction of 50 percent of grid power
compared with an average home. "With the heating demand in
this part of the world, it would cost a fortune in electricity," says
Walton, "but these energy-efficient homes perform very well
thanks to photovoltaics and insulation." At EchoHaven every
house has guaranteed solar access as per the community's
bylaws, and owners are able to position their homes for
maximum solar gains.
Rainwater harvesting is also a requirement for all EchoHaven
housing. This mitigates sewer system issues during rain events.
Each house has a dual sewage system with one pipe for black
water and another pipe for gray water in preparation for a future
gray water treatment plant.

2. Extremely well-insulated and tight building envelope

Investing in the building envelope once will payoff for the lifetime of
the building. Creating an air- and water-tight envelope will ensure interior
comfort and minimize maintenance costs over decades.

3. High-performance windows

The best windows you can afford are worth the investment.
They will pay off in comfort and energy efficiency for decades.

4. Orientation

When preplanning your home, think about views, sun exposure,
shading, prevailing winds, and weather.

5. Maximum solar exposure

This is not always possible but, when it is, it guarantees a light-filled home.
Correctly specified solar exposed windows can provide free heat to the house,
thereby reducing the energy needed to heat the home.

6. Open plan that allows movement of air and light

"I do think that people have become more concerned about the
energy efficiency of their homes and therefore are willing to pay
for that," says Walton, who foresees a future in which every
house and building on the planet will be net zero and passive.
"There's no possible way for us as human beings to continue
consuming the amount of energy that's required for maintaining
buildings, for heating and cooling." In fact, in Canada the building
code is changing, and in 2050 all houses and commercial
buildings will be net zero.
Walton notes that if you are building to a higher level than code,
it's always going to be a little bit more expensive until the codes
catch up. "But the small additional cost at the beginning for
a good building envelope pays out in spades over the lifetime
of the building. Having a good prefab building envelope and
following good building science means that it's robust. It's not
going to fall apart or get all moldy and crumble in a few years,"
explains Walton. "These are 100-year houses, not 10-year flips."
It's safe to say the sustainable residential revolution is finally
upon us. Now is the time for all design professionals to share
the compelling, eco- and human-friendly options with clients
so they may enjoy the health benefits of truly good design as
they reduce their carbon footprint and help protect the future
of the planet.

Reduce the number of walls in the home. Use changes in ceiling
height and furniture to define spaces where possible.

7. Efficient electrical loads

Use energy-efficient fixtures and appliances. Unplug unnecessary
gadgets when not in use to eliminate ghost loads.

8. Air quality

Managing fresh air circulation in the house through the use of
a ventilation system will ensure healthful living conditions.

9. Accommodation of renewables

Providing room on the roof to accommodate photovoltaic panels is the
easiest way to incorporate renewables into your home. Rainwater capture
systems are an important consideration when water is scarce. Other
renewables-such as solar thermal technology, wind energy, and ground source
heat pumps-can be considered as well, but there is a longer payback period
and maintenance involved.

10. Conscious living

Awareness of the environment surrounding the home and taking advantage
of daylight, breezes, and rainwater are important. Turning off lights,
appliances, and electronic gadgets when not in use contributes to the overall
efficiency of the home, as does turning down the heat at night or pulling blinds
to keep out excess heat during milder weather.

DIANA MOSHER, Allied ASID,
is a New York-based interior designer and
media consultant. She was the 2017-2019
communications director for the ASID
New York Metro chapter and continues to be
active on the communications committee.

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i + D - March/April 2020

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