This eco-historic renovation in the heart of the Ellicott City Historic District maintains the historic integrity of the building while incorporating environmentally sensitive and energy efficient rehabilitation practices. The project incorporates sustainable materials and strategies while preserving a valuable historic resource in a 200-year old fragile urban environment. All exterior work, including material type, colors, and signage were reviewed and approved by the Howard County Historic District Commission. The project qualified for County Historic Tax Credits.

Site runoff, always an issue for the hardscape of Ellicott City was studied and informed a new landscape plan by Plusen Designs incorporating native flowers and grasses, re-use of material, rainwater capture, and clean architectural lines.

On the exterior, long-term exposure to rainwater infiltration and moisture along with inadequate maintenance required significant repairs on the roof, dormers, siding, front porch, and trim. A new asphalt shingle roof was installed on the main gable with brown aluminum hitters and downspouts whereas the front porch features a standing seam copper roof.

All exterior wood siding, porch columns, rail, shutters, and trim were repaired and restored following the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. The existing non-historic replacement windows were replaced with simulated divided light, aluminum clad, insulated inert double hung windows by Marvin, approved by the Historic District Commission.

On the interior, the building was fully insulated with a blown-in formaldehyde-free fiberglass bat and air-sealed which will help to reduce energy consumption by 60%. An additional 3-1/2″ of rigid insulation was added to the low slope on the south side, to be topped by a reflective cool roof to reduce AC loads.

The entire building was re-plumbed for hot water baseboard heat fueled by a new high efficiency gas boiler. Air conditioning is provided by (4) high efficiency mini splits, with the new operable, screened windows being used for a good portion of the year.

Inside the new space features solar light tubes and when darkness descends, LED and CFL lighting. Materials in use for health and sustainability include marmoleum, cork and bamboo flooring, wool carpet tiles, concrete and paper stone countertops, NUAF and bamboo cabinets and shelves, and zero VOC paint.

see more about this project on our ECOhistoric blog.