Lakeside Net Zero Passive House goes LEED Platinum Passive House Certified

Member New Leaf Home Design wins DOE Housing Innovation Award.

GHI member New Leaf Home Design, LLC, is excited to announce their Moreland Hills home project has been honored as a recipient of the 2023 Housing Innovation Award! This project is also certified under the GHI Zero Energy Home Certification program because it met the DOE Zero Energy Ready Certification, achieved a negative 2 HERS rating by a certified rater.

As a “Zero Energy Ready”, a distinction that places it among the nation’s finest in the realm of high-performance residential architecture. The Zero Energy Ready verification process confirms the home’s ability to provide exceptional energy efficiency, indoor air quality, comfort, and construction quality. 

The Moreland Hills home stands as a prime example of how thoughtful design, precise construction, and renewable energy can converge to create a residence that’s both visually stunning and environmentally responsible. Designed to take advantage of its ravine views, the home is also oriented to maximize the efficiency of its solar panels. With 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and a spacious 3900 square feet of finished area, it has a HERS index of -2, a testament to its net-positive energy efficiency.

The homeowners are thrilled with the outcome. They shared, “We knew we wanted to mirror the land and build a functional, beautiful house that was sustainable and energy efficient. We have lived here for one year now, and the craftsmanship, efficiency, and livability have far exceeded our expectations. It is a joy to be in the house with the views of mature woods and new native landscaping. “

Hallie Bowie, the architect behind New Leaf Home Design, LLC, expressed her enthusiasm for the recognition: “We are immensely proud to receive the 2023 Housing Innovation Award. It reflects our dedication to high-performance home construction and electrification. Building green is no longer a cutting-edge approach used by just a few people on a handful of projects. The details and systems for sustainable construction have been implemented on thousands of homes, and researchers have verified their performance over decades of use. This award recognizes our implementation of these proven strategies.”

Cornerstone Construction of Northeast Ohio, the general contractor for the project who previously achieved LEED Platinum certification on a previous home with GHI, played a crucial role in bringing this vision to life. Their detail-oriented commitment to quality construction and sustainability mirrored that of New Leaf Home Design, LLC, resulting in this outstanding achievement.

This is who GHI Members are

This is what GHI members do

So can you! 

Get signed up here today 

Membership Details

Little Residence Pearl Platinum Aiming for GreenStar – Zero Carbon

GHI member renovation aims for LEED and pre certifies zero energy capable

Baker+Myers SmartHaus is a LEED registered home aiming for Platinum v4.1 and is pre-certified to be Zero Energy Capable brought to you by our member company Smart Haus Wexler / Kollman and verified by members Eco Achievers. 

It will ideally use about a tenth the heating energy of a built- to-code home, and about 109% less energy overall.      The home has a preliminary -9 HERS rating.

The home is powered by a 8.9kW solar PV grid-tied array, and was designed so the solar electric array produces as much energy as the home uses.

As a single-family deep energy re-hab, we were able to recycle much of the original 1960’s split level into the new home. Indoor air quality and occupant health were primary objectives as well. No-added-formaldehyde cabinetry and trim materials, no-VOC paints, and Greenguard certified sealants, caulks, and adhesives were used.

An on demand-controlled ventilation system (CERV) provides superior air quality. Ductless Mitsubishi minisplit heat pumps provide energy-efficient heating, cooling, and dehumidification.

The home and site are interlaced with each component working symbiotically together. All storm water is captured and directed to landscape features designed to harvest for garden to table enjoyment. Rear deck leads to roof garden with cistern and cold frames.

SmartHaus was fortunate to work with inspired owners seeking a healthy, modest low-energy house. As with all our projects, here we sought the harmony of performance and aesthetics, integrated into the fabric of the community.

You can meet the owners on our virtual tour of their home during the net zero homeowner roundtable recorded webinar

Get your LEED project started here! 

CEO of Mitsubishi US picks up Zero Energy Capable Certification

Pembroke Passive Solar Achieves GreenStar New Construction Gold

Pearl Residence Achieves LEED Platinum

Well House LEED Gold Gut Rehab uses housing first model to help homeless