Page 27 - Green Builder March-April 2017 Issue

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tionary Home Builders carefully deconstructed
parts of the original dwelling, salvaging some
materials for the new home and donating oth-
ers. The open shelving in the kitchen, for ex-
ample, was made from salvaged floor joists,
and one of the salvaged sinks now serves as a
vanity in the powder room. Overall, the project
achieved 92 percent waste diversion.
Indoor air quality was a chief concern of the
clients, a view shared by the architect’s and
builder’s philosophies. Bassett-Dilley is a leader
in high-performance and biophilic design, and
Evolutionary Home Builders specializes in
high-performance homes, with an emphasis
on durability and wellness of occupants.
Some of the strategies that contribute to
superior indoor air quality in the Oak Park
home include specifying cabinetry and case- Warmly modern. Reclaimed open shelving brings a warm and rustic touch to the kitchen,
work with no added urea-formaldehyde, and which features all Energy Star appliances.
the use of low-VOC, toxin-free paints and finishes. There is no car- Weiss believes that healthy buildings and high performance go
peting in the home. hand in hand, and that designing and building a superior shell is
The concrete slab, finished with Consolideck from Prosoco, serves the best strategy in terms of upfront costs, energy usage and lifetime
as the finished flooring on the main level. Reclaimed hickory on the carbon footprint. “If done right, the building envelope can last over
second floor is treated with Rubio Monocoat zero-VOC finish. There 100 years without maintenance,” says Weiss.
are no combustion appliances inside the building envelope. There’s a health benefit as well. Since the home’s completion in
A Mitsubishi Electric ductless mini-split heats and cools the 2015, the homeowners have reported fewer respiratory symptoms. GB
home, while a Zehnder energy recovery ventilator ensures fresh air
exchange by capturing and expelling heat as needed. Super-efficient
bathroom fans from Panasonic help circulate air. The home’s interior Key Components
design, with the three upstairs bedrooms arranged around a central
hallway, also facilitates airflow. ALTERNATIVE BUILDING SYSTEMS: Weyerhaeuser (TJI joists)
APPLIANCES: Bosch (dishwasher); Jenn-Air (oven and
induction cooktop); Zephyr (range hood)
UNDER A WATCHFUL EYE
According to Weiss, Evolutionary Home Builders researches all BUILDING ENVELOPE: Cosella-Dörken (DELTA-VENT S);
Prosoco (R-Guard liquid-applied air barrier)
material that goes into its homes, using Declare Label, GREENGUARD
and other third-party certifications for guidance. The firm even CABINETS, SHELVES, MILLWORK: Columbia Forest Products
(PureBond no added urea-formaldehyde plywood)
specifies and supplies products for its subcontractors. If subs bring CAULKS & SEALANTS: Prosoco (R-Guard); Eco Bond
in materials of their own, they have to sign a guarantee that these
components won’t compromise the building’s health. DOORS & HARDWARE: Masonite (Emerald Safe ’N Sound
interior doors)
Weiss has started another company, Evolutionary Supply &
Building Solutions, to distribute vetted materials and consulting to EXTERIOR FINISHES: LP (SmartSide)
other builders and clients in the region. Inventory includes not just FLOORING: Prosoco (Consolideck concrete finish)
building supplies and products, but furniture, linens, bedding and HOME CONTROLS: eMonitor; PowerWise (energy monitor
and IAQ monitoring)
household cleaning products.
Monitoring the home’s performance and IAQ has become standard HVAC/DUCTS: Mitsubishi (mini-split)
service for every Evolutionary Home Builders project. Pre-occupancy INSULATION: Atlas Roofing (Polyiso rigid foam);
Knauf (Jets Stream Ultra Blowing Wool Insulation)
testing is conducted over a 24-hour period, so indoor air is tested at
different temperature, humidity and UV levels. In addition, Weiss LIGHTING: Restoration Hardware
contracts with a third party to provide post-occupancy energy and PAINTS AND STAINS: AFM (Safecoat); Rubio (Monocoat)
IAQ monitoring. This includes circuit-by-circuit energy monitoring as PLUMBING/PLUMBING FIXTURES: Grohe (faucets);
Kohler (faucets); Niagara (toilets)
well as sensors that monitor temperature, humidity, VOCs and CO 2.
“The testing we’ve done over the years has reaffirmed our choices,” VENTILATION: Zehnder (energy recovery ventilator)
says Weiss. “We have data behind our statements.” Just as important, the WATER HEATING: GE (Geospring heat pump hot water heater)
monitoring provides real-time feedback for homeowners, so they can WINDOWS, SKYLIGHTS, PATIO DOORS: Zola (Thermo uPVC
see the impact of their choices and change their behavior, if necessary. Passive House-certified triple-glazed windows)

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