Page 44 - Green Builder Magazine January 2016 Digital Edition

T HIS 1932 HOME overlooks Truesdale Lake in Westchester PROJECT STATS
County, NY. Once a popular gathering place, the
structure had fallen into disrepair. Incorporating new NAME: The Beach House at Truesdale Lake, Lewisboro, NY
and reclaimed materials, architect and builder Sylvain
Côté has fully restored The Beach House for maximum BUILDER: Sylvain Côté, Absolute Green Homes
www.absoluteremodeling.com
comfort with a minimal carbon footprint. Completed in 2014, The
ARCHITECT/DESIGNER: Sylvain Côté, Absolute Green
Beach House is Energy Star Certified, with a HERS rating of 30 and Homes www.absoluteremodeling.com

LEED Platinum Certification of 90. PHOTOS: Sylvain Côté

JFurodmgesthe A high-velocity, small duct was incorporated on the south-facing roof. Because it offers better
system from Unico, Inc. cools aesthetics than solar panels, the Sunslate System satisfies historic
efficiently by removing 30 and zoning commission codes.
percent more humidity from the
“I’m a firm believer in making design beautiful, because if you
“This is a great air than a traditional system. It don’t, someone will replace it. And that is wasteful,” Côté says.
example of green,
delivers conditioned air through
insulated flexible tubing, which
snakes through floor, wall and

energy-efficient ceiling cavities. The tubing has
close to zero thermal loss, and

retrofit. We need the “hidden” ductwork allowed
architectural freedom in the
more of these.”
design and eliminated the need
for soffits. Small, round air outlets

quietly deliver air into each room.

Heating is provided by a radiant floor system from Viega, which

reduced heating costs by an additional 30 percent.

A Fantech energy recovery ventilator brings in constant fresh

outside air, and a whole-house HEPA filtration unit, also from

Fantech, maximizes healthy indoor air quality. All systems within

the home can be operated remotely, maximizing energy efficiency

when the owner is away.

Durable, attractive synthetic slate tile from DaVinci Roofscapes

makes up the majority of the roofing, but a building integrated

photovoltaic (BIPV) Sunslate System from Atlantis Energy Systems

Open Plan. The public areas of the first floor include a great room Reclaimed Wood. All vanities and cabinets were built using wood
with a central fireplace. The home was not expanded, but reduced reclaimed from a 200-year-old local barn. The kitchen cabinets
from 1,840 to 1,780 square feet. also utilized sheathing from The Beach House’s original roof,
exterior walls and attic flooring.
42 GREEN BUILDER January/February 2016
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