Simply Sustainable LLC

Oregon: CCB# 185617
Washington: SIMPLSL924CK

Our First Sustainable Home

Brad and Sharon have always shared a deep concern for the environment. In purchasing their first property, finding a site with a southerly exposure was essential to them for solar and light gain. After finding their dream property, they set out to find an architect familar with passive solar design. In the early 90's this was a challenge, but in 1991 The Soltner Group started designs for their passive solar home. The home's passive solar design gives careful attention to lighting, indoor air quality, and view potential - which can be seen from most rooms. In 2000 a 600 sq ft addition was added and at that time the home was certified as Built Green™ by the Master Builder's Association of King County. In 2003 an active thermal water solar system was installed to help heat the radiant floors and domestic hot water, drastically reducing the home's energy bills.

Goal: To build a passive solar home that maximizes the light and solar gain and sweeping views from the southern Cascades and Mt. Rainier to Sea-Tac Airport, Puget Sound, and the southern Olympics.
Client Criteria: Cost was critical, maximizing the solar and light gain, using sustainable products, energy efficient.
Simply Sustainable's Approach:
1. Simply Sustainable worked with the architects to define the immediate space requirements. The house was then designed to be built in two stages.
2. As the owners, Brad & Sharon acted as the general contractor and either performed the work themselves, or hired the subcontractors.
3. The addition and active solar system was completed entirely by Simply Sustainable. See the "Addition" page for more information.
4. Simply Sustainable purchased all fixtures, paint, appliances, etc.
Contract Type: Owner's home - sweat equity

Front Entry

Living Room

Kitchen

Family Room & Office

Master Suite

Decks & Views

Sustainable & Built Green™ Features

Certified Built Green™ by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish County
Passive Solar Design
Active hot water solar system installed in 2003 to heat radiant floors & domestic hot water

Solar Design Features

Windows orientated for best use of passive solar
Shading provided to the east and west by the preservation of natural vegetation
Four foot eaves along the south side provide shade during the summer months
Solar-powered outdoor walkway area lighting
House and landscaping sited to reduce heating and cooling loads naturally
3" colored concrete floors provide mass for solar heat gain, incredibly durable and long lasting
Insulated blinds and drapes
Use of light color interior finishes
Clerestories for natural lighting and ventilation
Vestibule entries on two main doors to minimize cold drafts

Energy Efficiency

High 95% efficiency boiler system
Radiant solar tubes - reduced propane usage by approximately 60% annually
Argon gas filled double pane Milgard Windows
Thermal zoning - different thermal zones for the different rooms
Designed to generate stack effect for natural ventilation. When built into the house design, the stack effect is a very effective way of keeping a house ventilated in summer
Energy Star light fixtures installed in high usage areas

Indoor Air Quality

Minimal use of carpet, carpet has an indoor air quality certification
Central vacuum system installed throughout house
Natural ventilation - home is designed for natural cooling and cross ventilation with the use of operable windows
Installed a ductless heating system with the use of in-floor radiant heat
Implementation of green cleaning with the use of low VOC cleaners

Design & Material Selection

Selected materials with longer life cycles, i.e. concrete floors, IPE decks
Well insulated, floors, ceiling, and walls
The use of salvaged oak flooring
PaperStone™ counters in the kitchen
Extensive recycling plan for waste that included recycling of wood, metal scraps, drywall, concrete, packaging, paint and cardboard.
Designed for ample natural light

Conservation

Large part of the site left undisturbed with natural vegetation
Entire landscape mulched with 3" of organic material
Grass limited to less than 25% of landscaped
Drought resistant landscaping planted - no additional watering required
Drip irrigation installed for raised beds, sprinkler system for lawn
Rainwater collection system installed with the use of 5 strategically placed rain barrels
Outdoor retractable clothesline installed conveniently off laundry room deck
Halogen light fixtures used in place of incandescent down-lights
Compact fluorescent bulbs installed in high-use areas
Planned utility room recycling center
Option of solar, electric or propane to heat home and hot water
Use of slow-release organic fertilizers on vegetation
Low-flow faucets and shower heads installed

"The good building is not one that hurts the landscape, but one which makes the landscape more beautiful than it was before the building was built. "
- Frank Lloyd Wright

Projects

Fun Fact:

In prehistoric times, 60% of the earth's surface was covered by forests - today that amount has been reduced by 30% and is still shrinking.