October 21, 2015

Seattle house wins national award

Photo by Tucker English [enlarge]

Dwell Development won a 2015 Housing Innovation Award from the U.S. Department of Energy for Reclaimed Modern, a house at 4606 43rd Ave. S. in Seattle.

The Seattle-based firm said in a press release that 24 builders nationally won the award, which recognizes houses that are zero-energy ready, meaning they can produce as much or more energy than they consume on an annual basis if solar panels or other renewable energy sources are added.

Dwell won in the production category.

Dwell was the developer, builder and structural engineer, and also designed the interiors and the landscape. The 3,140-square-foot, three-story house has three bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, and was completed in 2014.

Julian Weber Architects was the architect and Evergreen Certified was the third-party verifier for energy efficiency.

Green elements include high-performance insulation; high-efficiency appliances, plumbing and lighting; systems that exhaust stale air from the house and let in fresh air; a barrier that seals the exterior against moisture intrusion; and solar panels on the roof.

Cladding includes corrugated metal roofing from a central Oregon barn, and fencing is made with reclaimed barn wood.

The floor has wood from fallen trees that were cut at a mill in Montana. Countertops are made of 85 percent recycled glass and aggregate concrete made in a factory that was housed in the old Rainier brewery. Cabinets are from a local manufacturer and have no added formaldehyde or VOCs.

Go to http://tinyurl.com/q9bqkuf for all the winners.