Year: 2017

I think I’ve mentioned before that it has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with an amazing artist and sculptor on their net zero, passive house.  We took the day to visit the site in New Jersey and it was thrilling to walk through these spaces that as complicated as they were in 2D, I was able to create the 3D visualization in my head to successfully build a set of construction drawings.  But there is nothing like walking through the actual spaces that now physically exist.
So many great things happening with this project – foam-free and net zero; perlite under slab; pre-manufactured wall trusses as the insulation cavity; low-cost, DIY construction techniques; and creative use of color and material.
I can’t forget to add the experience of exceptional lunches from the garden with every visit!

Construction is wrapping up in Alexandria for a renovation and significant addition including a library and photography room along with a detached garage and art studio above.
Concurrently in Granite, construction and rehabilitation is finishing on the historic farmhouse with the last installation of interior finishes and exterior work.

The AIA Baltimore Historic Resources Committee held its July meeting at the 200-year old Baltimore County Landmark house – Mount Welcome Retreat in Granite, MD yesterday evening.  Rob Brennan, AIA and Lili Mundroff, Assoc. AIA guided the group through the house and grounds and led a discussion on the preservation and rehabilitation measures being taken to sustain the property for the next 200 years.

Work continues in Woodstock Maryland for the Mount Welcome Retreat historic farmhouse. On the exterior cedar siding is going up, fascia and trim are being painted with Sherwin Williams historic colors and the standing seam metal roof on the breakfast bay and mudroom are due for installation in the next couple of days.

a new life, a rich history; the days that once were and the story of what is yet to come. #farmhouse

We are excited to begin construction on this Net Zero, Deep Energy Retrofit of a 1900’s bungalow set on an amazingly gorgeous, perfectly oriented site on the Severn River in Annapolis.  We are fortunate to have a client dedicated to efficiency, beauty and quality.  The result will be an extraordinary retrofit of a completely inefficient, moldy, run-down house into a foam-free, healthy, zero-energy home.  We are wrapping the existing exterior framing – wall and roof – in 5″ of mineral wool,  replacing and relocating windows with high-performance, triple-glazed windows and completely air sealing to create a Passive House level shell.  We are employing fixed and operable shading devices to provide necessary shading. Materials and design inside and out are natural, durable and environmentally friendly.  This project is another in collaboration with Michael Hindle of Passive to Positive.

One of the cool things about collaborating with a sculptor on the design of his house, is that you are privileged to be part of amazing, individual moments that punctuate the experience of the house.  One of these occurs at the house’s central stair going from basement to the second floor.  This stair was a collaboration between artist’s sketches overlaid with architect’s responsibility to meet building codes and be structurally sound.  The result being the ultimate definition of architecture – form and function are interdependent.

4. Swap old counter tops with eco-friendly ones
If you plan to install an island or replace the old counter tops, try and go green. Green materials not only reduce the carbon footprint, they also give a distinct look to the kitchen. Recycled paper (refer picture), recycled steel, concrete, engineered stone etc. are interesting and distinct materials you could consider. 

Our Smithouse contractors are working diligently to remove part of the original stone walls on the interior of the historic farmhouse to open up to a larger family / living area.  When it comes to 200-year (ahem -pound) granite, heavy-lifting is morning routine.  Are you bootcamp ready?
 

 

Our Net Zero, Passive House, Foam-Free home in New Jersey is taking shape!  The 2×6 framing has been completed and the plywood air barrier installed and taped.  Taping and air sealing the various overhangs and angles has been a challenge, but thanks to the diligence of the owner and Michael Hindle of Passive to Positive, the initial blower door test is set up to be a success!