The 20 by 2020 Challenge

The 20 by 2020 Challenge

by | Mar, 2019 | Green Building

The 20 by 2020 Challenge is a local campaign to promote the development of 20 Passive House or net zero energy projects of 20,000 square feet or larger in King County by the year 2020 next year! The good news is that Zero Net Carbon buildings can make economic sense today. Passive House construction is a cost-effective means to revolutionize building energy performance, particularly for larger buildings. Many of the pioneering Passive House buildings in the US have been affordable housing projects. By establishing an ambitious energy target and using science-based design and modeling, Passive House buildings reduce energy consumption by as much as 75%. Couple this with rooftop solar or a contract for green power, and you’ve got a Zero Net Carbon building.

The 20 by 2020 Building Challenge will provide “proof of concept” that Passive House can propel our shift to a carbon-sustainable future. Passive House is the world’s leading standard for energy efficient construction. It combines building enclosure efficiency and passive solar strategies in a system for designing and building cost effective, comfortable, energy efficient buildings.

The major components of a Passive House include:

  • Super-insulated envelope
  • Ultra-high-performance windows
  • Airtight construction (0.6 air changes / hr at 50 Pascals)
  • Eliminating or reducing thermal bridging
  • Heat-recovery ventilation
  • Using passive heat sources (solar of course, but also equipment, lighting, and occupants).

Learn more here! 

Aging in Place in a Split Level

Aging in Place in a Split Level

by | Nov, 2017 | Design + Architecture, Featured Projects, Green Building, Living

Sometimes sustainability is about enhancing the longevity of what you already have. Ralph and Jeanette wanted to stay in the home, garden, and neighborhood they love as they look forward to aging. With modest updates and practical design by Sheri Newbold of Live Work Play, we were able to create an accessible space that will enable these homeowners to continue to live in and enjoy their home for many years to come.

A small, cantilevered addition for a sitting area along with a widened window in the master bedroom creates a comfortable sitting area to enjoy the garden and bird watch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most important was how to get from the garage to the main floor of the 1960s split level home. The existing stairway would not work with a chair lift, so we chose to add a Garaventa elevator to make accessing the second story easy. They also wanted to widen the hallway and increase the width of two doorways to 36″ to access the master suite.

Tiled shower with grab bars and fold down seat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the bathroom, we installed grab bars, a fold down seat in the shower for bathing, and created a zero threshold shower stall. A dressing table for resting while getting ready for the day was also added. All light fixtures are energy-saving LED with dimmer switches. The designer also collaborated closely with Ralph and Jeanette to create a custom tile layout using neutrals with blue accents for a handsome design that works in tandem with other fixtures.

Check out more photos in our Flikr gallery.