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Epping Forest Residence
Architect
See recent article in Annapolis Home Magazine
here.
about
This new house in an existing neighborhood has a tight lot, but a small footprint is a worthy goal, literally and figuratively. The environmental or carbon footprint can be greatly minimized by sustainable design. The house is compact and cozy on the north side, while opening to the sun and the view on the south side. It has been described as an adult fort or treehouse, encouraging a deep connection with nature.
Photos by Gwin Hunt.
Cape Charles Residence
LEED Platinum
Architect
See article by The Daily Press here and an article by The Virginian-Pilot here.
about
This unique site, at the tip of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, provides an opportunity to design with nature, capturing the expansive views, preserving the inherent natural setting, and creating a footprint that is as minimal as a footprint on a nearby beach. This home earned LEED Platinum, the highest award form the US Green Building Council. The first and most important strategy for lowering energy use is to design the house to work with the local climate. Orientation, massing, shading, natural ventilation, daylighting, insulation, and highly efficient windows are all crucial elements. Only after all these factors are optimized do we resort to using energy, although much of that energy is generated onsite by photovoltaic panels. All of the rain falling on the roof is collected in cisterns, reducing water use as well as reducing runoff into the bay.
Fox Island Environmental Education Center
Off the Grid / Renovation
Architect & Green Consultant
about
On Fox Island, students experience a way of life completely off the grid. Photovoltaic panels provide electricity for lights and a refrigerator. Students pedal a bicycle to pump water from a well. Composting toilets use no water. All food waste is composted. All trash is sorted into recycling containers. Cooling is provided by natural ventilation – cross breezes through operable windows. It is an unrivaled platform for students to understand the concept of a small planet.
At the same time they are immersed in the earth at its purest, exploring the marshes, experiencing first hand the birds, fish, wildlife, weather, stars, tides, and natural cycles.
Originally built in 1929, this old hunting lodge was renovated in 1978 to start the environmental center, and renovated again in 2004 after Hurricane Isobel.
Karen Noonan Center for Environmental Education
Architect & Green Consultant
about
This renovation of a 5000 square foot turn of the century hunting lodge showcases sustainable building practices and universal design. Energy saving measures include solar panels, a ground source heat pump, and energy efficient lighting. Water saving measures include composting toilets and low flow fixtures. Resource conservation measures include recycled glass and insulation made from recycled newspaper. This project won the Governor’s Award for Barrier Free Design in 1997 for the State of Maryland.
Baker Hall Environmental Education Center
Architect & Green Consultant
about
This renovation of an existing barn is used for an environmental education center at Port Isobel. The building is designed for minimal electric usage, since supply is limited on this tiny island off Tangier. Solar panels supply heat for both domestic water and a radiant floor. Design includes custom recycling cabinets, recycled flooring, natural ventilation, and composting toilets.
