If you are looking on information about a sustainable, almost net zero retirement house, you must see the home of Lundin – Hedberg on Saturday, October 13th.

There are so many features in this home, we cannot begin to write them all down. Even the construction methods are unique! You just have to see this for yourself.

This new home is sited to maximize solar exposure and views, provide some earth sheltering, and allow safe movement in and out of the driveway. The super-insulated envelope consists of insulated concrete forms (ICFs), strawbale and structural insulated panel (SIP) balloon frame, and monolithic SIP roof. The main roof is a Living Roof over a rubber (EPDM) membrane. The low roof is corrugated metal. Windows are aluminum or fiberglass clad wood windows.

The strawbale walls have a coating of earthen plaster, covered by natural larch reverse board & batten siding. The exposed framing and sunscreens are comprised of reclaimed steel and wood.

The form acts as a solar collector and the two-story central space acts to focus the plan and to facilitate natural ventilation and daylighting. 3D modeling enabled precise sizing of overhangs to minimize passive heating in the summer months.

The site includes rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, well water and septic systems, a 5.52 kW ground mounted solar electric array, flat plate solar thermal units, indigenous vegetation, and a gabion retaining wall with reclaimed Jamestown brick cobbles.

Natural finishes such as cork, linoleum, earthen plaster, and wood predominate. All are low or zero VOC and much of the wood is reclaimed from a former church in Buffalo. Even the pipe organ is represented in the newel posts of the balcony railing. Other finishes are reclaimed steel, rustic lumber and exposed polished concrete.

The building systems include a massive 323 gal insulated tank which stores heated water for both heating and domestic use. A modulating condensing on-demand unit provides back-up heating for the solar thermal system. The exposed insulated concrete floor will absorb passive heat in the winter on sunny days. It also contains tubing for radiant heat distribution. A Heat Recovery Ventilator provides a constant source of fresh air for the home, which tested at approximately 2.0 ACH.

Here is the link to their site information: http://energysage.com/projects/lundin-hedberg-residence

L-H Sustainable Home One Pager - This is a document that explains all of the incredible features this house has. Check it out!

For more information on the architect, Kevin Conners, go here: http://www.eco-logicstudio.com/news.html. He is an advocate for sustainability in WNY and we are happy to see several of his projects on our 2012 tour!