CRESTWOOD NET ZERO

The recent owners were struck by the character and charm of the c. 1926 Tudor Revival house and intrigued by the prospect of creating a thoughtful addition. They hired Flying Bridge Builders to help plan and execute the construction. In the 18 months prior to construction, some elements of the program came into focus quickly, such as the need for a powder room and coat closet on the first floor; others developed over the course of the project’s design.

The four goals of the renovation were:
1. Programmatic;
2. Reconciling the old and the new;
3. Interior design; and
4. Building performance, energy and environment.

Programmatic: Priorities for the renovation included: a kitchen for active cooks with plenty of storage, a first floor powder room and coat closet, display areas and book storage, spaces for home offices and larger ongoing projects, main bedroom suite with good climate and light control, combination bar/dining room/library, outdoor space for gardening, dogs, and as well as a protected area, significant closet space, and a basement Accessory Dwelling Unit/apartment.

Reconciling the Old and the New: The warmth and comfort of the house were among its most compelling features. The goal was to retain that feeling for the existing house as well as extend the warmth in a spacious and modern addition. The intention was to juxtapose the addition with the existing house, making clear that it is different stylistically from the original, while creating a complementary composition. To accomplish this, the addition’s exterior uses subtly different materials and colors for the roof and siding, and the windows and doors are of a more modern style, color, and scale. However, the colors are complementary to the original house, and its basic forms and massing are continued in the addition. In the interior, the existing house’s coziness was emphasized with the addition of coffers in the living room ceiling, the addition of board and batten in the dining room and elsewhere, walnut cabinetry and shelving, and liberal use of dark paint and wallpaper. The interior of the addition has a modern aesthetic while referencing the original house through the repetition of materials and shapes.

Interior Design: The interior design is driven exclusively by the owners’ preferences, which comes through in every part of the house. Spaces and features such as a project room, a bedroom of smaller proportions, covered outdoor space, an extra tall kitchen island, a reading nook under the stairs, a Japanese soaking tub, a wall of windows, a butler’s pantry, a combination dining/library/bar, and a two-story bookcase were just a few of the ways that spaces were designed for the way the owners live. The owners had other ideas that drove the final design including the desire for: an axial view from the front to the back of the house, repeated use of archways, jib doors and coffered ceilings, sightlines with interesting terminated views, rooms with distinct character, extensive use of wallpaper and color to create character and mood, distinct spaces and vignettes within rooms, a dramatic countertop and backsplash, large amounts of lighted display area, and layered lighting schemes in most rooms. These elements were all a reflection of the larger design goal which was to create a space that they found functional and beautiful.

Building Performance, Energy and Environment: Addressing climate and energy was a major goal in the construction. Heat waves, more weather extremes, heavy rainfalls, and energy price fluctuations are future certainties. To protect against these and do a small part to address the causes, the project includes:

● Net zero electricity. The roof houses 33 solar panels-- a 14KW system—which calculations suggest should be enough to supply the home’s annual electric needs.

● Exterior insulation. In addition to interior insulation, continuous insulation on the outside walls and roof of the addition were applied creating a thermal for studs and joists that can act as thermal bridges.

● Tight House. Aerobarrier was used throughout the addition and original house to find and seal even very small cracks, creating a tight house.

● Efficient Windows/Appliances. Energy Star Windows and appliances are the norm including a super-efficient heat pump hot water heater.

● Targeted Conditioning. The house and apartment are heated and cooled in 4 zones using 4 high efficiency ducted mini-split heat pumps.

● Reuse. The original kitchen was salvaged and reused in the new apartment.

● Stormwater Management. Rain barrels and a large drywell combine to store onsite more than 1500 gallons of rainwater runoff from the roof—enough for all but the largest storms.

● Electric car charging (which the owners requested be installed in a way to make it accessible to other users).