Page 31 - Green Builder Jan-Feb 2022 Issue

A long view. The main home’s kitchen features a hallway’s worth of environmentally sound cabinetry, fixtures, flooring and lights—all leading
up to a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index rating of zero. CREDIT: REBECCA GREENWOOD/GREENWOOD PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS

(triple pane, with 0.15 U-Factor), con- Carbon-sequestering insulation (cork occupants,” Welch says. “[They also]
tinuous insulation (including exterior exterior and a cellulose cavity), and create a working platform for future
insulation), and heat recovery ventila- near-Passive House air tightness maintenance of the building, roof and
tion (70 cubic feet per minute [CFM] (the main home clocks in at 0.88 Air photovoltaic (PV) system.”
and 40 CFM, respectively). Charges per Hour [ACH] at 50 Pascals For the siding and decking, [bundle]
“Rather than fighting against the pressure; the ADU is at 1.5 ACH 50). design studio chose juniper which, like
historical nature of the neighborhood, Using the most efficient mechanical cedar, has natural oils that increase
the building was designed to embrace systems and a 6.38 kilowatt (kW) net- durability. Welch considers juniper
the traditional gable form,” Welch says. zero solar array, Felicity House is self- a sustainable choice, as it is sourced
“In doing so, the design simplified powered, Kimberling adds. A typical from grassland restoration projects
many of the energy efficiency details.” electric bill for each home is about $10 in Eastern Oregon where the trees
For example, most of the surround- per month. are being removed because they use
ing buildings had limited roof over- much more water than native species.
hangs. This design element was used WEATHER WISE In addition, much of the cladding is
to make clean transitions from wall to Because the home is in the rainy Pacific reclaimed, making it an even greener
roof with the air barrier and continu- Northwest, the building still needed option.
ous exterior insulation, Welch notes. protection from the weather. As most “The siding will ensure that the
The owners also wanted to priori- of the surrounding historic houses home ages beautifully with time,”
tize sustainable construction mate- have front porches, simple flat roof- Welch says. “We expect the owners will
rials and methods. Felicity House ing that could be used below as cov- be sitting on the front porch waving to
was crafted with simple lines, mini- ered porches and above as roof decks neighbors on the sidewalk, as has been
mal trim, zero-VOC finishes, and a was designed. “These flat roofs provide happening at this site for the last 100
rewarding pallet of colors and textures. weather protection to the building and years.” GB

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