CASAMELIO 'NET ZERO ENERGY READY HOME'
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This new construction "energy star" four-bedroom Contemporary is set on a quiet street close to shopping and trains. Far reaching southwest water views from fabulous interior with triple glazed soundproof windows, 5” white oak floors and 9’ ceilings with 8’ doors. Main level offers striking kitchen with quartz-clad counters, Miele appliances, Hettich cabinetry, walk-in pantry and large center island open to family room with 14’ ceiling and oversize terrace. Also features office, mudroom to carport and powder room. Amazing master suite comprises entire second floor with treetop views, luxurious spa bath, huge walk-in closet and 2nd office space. Sun-filled walkout garden level has 3 additional bedrooms all centered on Great room with terrace.
This is a high, steeply sloping site cascading down toward the river with views of both the river and the harbor to the southwest. Given the slope and the zoning regulations, we opted to go with a two and one half story building with a gambrel truss roof structure (to comply with the height restriction) we opted for a carport for two cars to avoid having that contribute to the allowable living area.
The Upper level is a half story as dictated by zoning and contains the Master Bedroom/Bath and Walk-in Closet. The WIC closet extends over the carport also acting as its roof. This closet space does not count as a living area since the bottom chords of the trusses (eight feet on center) are below seven feet in height (which is the zoning threshold).SIPS panels span the distance between trusses.
The main floor consists of a kitchen / fourteen-foot high family room/dining room with a walk-in pantry, powder room, offices, mudroom and a large deck with sweeping 5-mile views of the harbor, river, and landscape. The lower level includes thee bedrooms (one ensuite) two baths and a family room with a small deck for our children and grandchildren. Given the elevation of the site, all three floors have views of the river and harbor. All floors have nine-foot ceilings and eight-foot-high window heads. 5" oil-finished oak flooring is used throughout.
The building is constructed with 2x6 walls filled with dense-pack cellulose and clad with 2” of continuous exterior XPS insulation, for a total R-value of 32. The exterior insulation is finished with stucco and includes a drainage plane that keeps the entire assembly dry. The roof uses a combination of R-55 structural insulating panels and R-49 spray foam. The floors are constructed of I-joists and LVL girders to achieve long spans and an open stairwell. The lower level consists of one entire concrete retaining wall furred out and insulated on both sides. The crawl space below the lower level is completely insulated with 6" rigid foam panels on the concrete floor and mineral wool batts in the walls so that the HVAC equipment and ducting is all within conditioned space.
The airtightness of the building’s envelope was tested and measured at more than three times better than that required by code. Heating and cooling are accomplished by a high-efficiency heat pump system, and a balanced energy recovery ventilation system provides continuous fresh, filtered, and tempered air.
The windows are Aluminum European triple-glazed units. The lighting is all LED. The southwest roof is designed to accommodate solar panels to complete the net-zero energy ready design. The exterior consists of an EIFS system, composite trim, and decking with stainless cable railings.
