ELIA JONES HOUSE
Summary
Sited in a picture-perfect location overlooking grassy hills and oak forests at the edge of state park land, this remodel transformed a run-down, energy-guzzling, ranch house. The remodel included replacing everything from the studs up with durable, resource-efficient materials, improving the connection to the site and functionality of spaces, and adding a front porch. New systems were added including roof rainwater collection and photovoltaic panels. Taken together, these changes reduced energy use almost 9 fold, making the house virtually passive solar.
Two, 200-year old oak trees fell on the property during the design phase. Not letting their demise go to waste, the trees were incorporated extensively into the design of the remodeled house. In fact, almost all of the finish wood in the project, including fencing, siding, cabinetry, and flooring is salvaged, totaling over 6000 board feet of wood.
Details
This 1970s house was ready for change: poor insulation, large, fixed, single-pane windows, deteriorating plywood siding and deck, old nylon shag carpet, cracking vinyl flooring, and a large unfinished basement. It was hot and stuffy in the summer and cold and drafty in the winter. The interior was dark and cramped. A front door did not exist leaving visitors to wander until they found a way in.
The remodel included replacing everything from the studs up with durable, environmentally friendly materials and changing the floor plan to improve connection to the site and functionality of spaces. While the original footprint was preserved, the new entry porch was added on the north of the house to improve ventilation, provide a cool outdoor area on hot summer days and to give the house a clear and inviting entry. New systems were added including a 10,000 gallon roof rainwater collection tank, photovoltaic panels, solar hot water and plumbing for future greywater.
Energy modeling during the design phase called for adding thermal mass—dense material like stone and concrete—to temper day/night temperature swings and insulation to keep heat in in the winter. Connecting the unfinished basement with its concrete floor and walls added thermal mass. Slate was added to the kitchen and hallway as well as the bathrooms and extra thick sheetrock and plaster were added throughout to further increase mass. (The light colored walls also raised the light levels, reducing lighting loads.) Blown-in cellulose insulation in the walls and floors, double pane low-e windows and 5 1/2 inches of rigid insulation in the roof further improved the energy performance. The remodeled building uses almost 9 times less energy than before and is virtually passive solar heated. Only a small furnace was added to heat the 2 bedrooms on particularly cold nights.
The kitchen was designed with more counters and more convenient storage to ease cooking, provide for fewer larger shopping trips and allow for canning or dehydrating and storing food grown on the property. Space was specifically designated for composting and recycling. These changes coupled with the repurposing of the basement for office space greatly reduced car travel by the owners. Finally, the owners furnished the place almost entirely with second hand furniture.
Construction by Suzanne Jones
Specialty construction services and consultation by Wanaselja Construction
Photographs by Linda Svendsen and Leger Wanaselja Architecture |
