While larger than the neighboring homes, its massing is split into two primary elements that relate to the neighborhood’s scale and rhythm. These two masses are joined by a butterfly roof formed from a series of curved glulams, which logically define the interior spaces.

Aging in-place strategies were incorporated such as single floor living, flush floors, a lap pool for fitness, blocking for future grab bars, and wide clearances at doors and hallways. A guest suite doubles as a future caregivers space.

For resiliency, a battery back up system, powered by a 7.2kW solar array, is pre-wired to supply critical loads during outages. The entire roof has ‘Ice and Water Shield’ in case of high wind roof damage. Oversized gutters and downspouts handle potential extreme storms.

The landscaping utilizes native plantings and is designed to retain 100% of the stormwater on site via rain gardens, bioswales, permeable pavers and Cultec rechargers. A 2’ perimeter river rock band serves as a pest management strip.

Additionally, to the greatest extent possible, the materials used in the home were made in the USA.

The existing two homes were environmentally deconstructed by Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse. Several materials from the existing 1950’s home were incorporated into the new home. Among these were a 1950’s bathtub, scalloped knotty pine paneling, a laundry sink and the kitchen faucet.

The home is also set up for aging in place with single floor living, a zero threshold shower, and wide hallways and doors.

The passive cooling system consists of several operable windows throughout the house that work in conjunction with remote-controlled clerestory windows set up at the top of the very high great room. A ‘Big Ass Fan’ assists with the air movement in that space.

A series of five zoned air source heat pump electric HVAC systems, controlled by phone-based apps, are used throughout and rated to be operational down to at least -20ºF. An energy efficient integrated ERV system ensures a high quality of indoor air quality.

This array of high-performance strategies attained a 70% predicted EUI reduction from baseline, from a 49.5 kBtu/sf/yr level down to 15 kBtu/sf/yr, making it one of only 331 national projects in the AIA’s 2017 2030 Commitment submittals that achieved the Commitment’s current 70% reduction target. Without the onsite renewables, the predicted EUI is 23 kBtu/sf/yr.

The way this was accomplished was by building a rain swale that took care of the 487 square foot impervious concrete driveway surface. Additionally, pervious pavement was used for the front entrance and back patio which were equivalent to 366 square feet of pervious paving for the entry area and 507 square feet pervious paving at the rear patio.

Furthermore, there are rain gardens to manage roof runoff from five allocated roof areas. The sixth roof runoff area goes into a smaller area of the property and is sequestered utilizing Cultec Rechargers to manage the 964 gallons of water underground.

There is one 60 gallon rain barrel that was installed to help water annuals located in the backyard.

There are only 287 square feet of drought-tolerant turf grass which is only 4% of the landscaped area. 95% of the plants that were selected are drought resistant.

The percent precipitation managed on site is 150% of a 2″ storm event from the roof runoff and impervious surfaces. The percent of wastewater reused on site is 0%. The irrigation system utilizes drip irrigation techniques to minimize water usage. The percent annual regulated potable water use in the designed landscape water requirement is a 93% reduction in water use from the baseline calculated by the EPA WaterSense® New Homes Specification – Water Budget Tool. The annual regulated potable water use is 19.1 gallons per s.f./year. The irrigation numbers are based on the first year establishments needs of the plants and will go down in subsequent years.

Dual flush toilets and WaterSense® fixtures were used throughout. There is a smaller resistance pool that uses a non-chlorine mixture to clean the pool.

As part of the LEED process, there was a serious emphasis that nearly every piece of construction material was made in the US.

The siding is comprised of two environmentally conscious siding materials. The upper siding is cement fiberboard, made with waste wood. The main siding on the house is from Boral is made from fly ash, which is the primary byproduct of burning coal.

Exposed structural glulam beams support the butterfly roof. The glulam beams are more resource efficient relative to solid framing as they are comprised of smaller structural elements glued together.

In keeping with the fossil fuel free concept, there is an ‘electronic fireplace’, which features a dancing flame image projected onto a screen set back from a mesh screen. A heat option allows for electric heat when desired.

The kitchen countertop and the backsplash tiles were made from reclaimed materials. Several light fixtures were also repurposed. Low and no VOC sealants, adhesives and paints were used throughout.

The siding is comprised of two environmentally conscious siding materials. The upper siding is cement fiberboard, made with waste wood. The main siding on the house is from Boral is made from fly ash, which is the primary byproduct of burning coal.

Exposed structural glulam beams support the butterfly roof. The glulam beams are more resource efficient relative to solid framing as they are comprised of smaller structural elements glued together.

The kitchen countertop and the backsplash tiles were made from reclaimed materials. Several light fixtures were also repurposed. Low and no VOC sealants, adhesives and paints were used throughout.

An ERV system provides fresh air throughout the house.

This home was specifically designed for a single woman and has a two car garage, so there are two spaces per occupant. However, there are four bedrooms, so a family of four or more would likely be in there in the future, thereby having two spaces for four or more people.

The garage is prewired for two electric car chargers. The owner currently drives the very efficient Prius C car.