ARLINGTON GREEN HOME

The design process was unique, as the clients had twenty plus years experience of living on the site in their previous home. It was quickly concluded remodeling and renovating the previous 1920’s wood frame home was not viable due to a deteriorating foundation and poor site drainage. The clients’ history and enthusiasm with their site aided in orienting the celebrated views, controlling and concealing others. Most of the old home was dismantled for salvageable materials to make way for the new one. Fireplace bricks and a stair newel from the old home make an appearance in the new home.

The new home is made up of three rectangular volumes with shed roofs. The first volume containing the double height living room orients the largest percentage of glass towards a neighboring park to celebrate the views that change with every season. The living room volume s a porch and deck which wraps completely around it and is clad in tongue in groove cedar. The center three story volume acts in the foreground as a stair tower and has the largest roof area oriented south facing to receive the solar panels. It contains the kitchen/dining area, the master suite, and third story studio space. The last volume is a two story wing containing the remaining bedrooms which was oriented with the shed roof west to minimize the height of the building to its neighbors. 

The new home received a Gold level rating from Arlington County’s Green Home Choice program boasting a HERS rating of 57, a geothermal HVAC system, and photovoltaic solar panels returning power to the grid.  According to the Arlington County Green Home Choice website the intent is as follows:

“Arlington’s Green Home Choice program provides a support system and resources for builders and homeowners who want to build green. These projects are designed to be energy and resource efficient, with all new home construction also receiving EPA’s Energy Star qualification.”

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