Greenwich DER

This positive-energy house was built in the 1930’s with various additions and renovations occurring over the years. The goal was to completely update both the exterior and interior of the house to accommodate the tastes and open-plan lifestyle of a family with young children. At the same time, the plan was to dramatically upgrade the thermal envelope and mechanical systems so that the house offered the high energy efficiency and other high-performance qualities of a new house built to meet demanding third-party certification standards.

Type: Contemporary update of colonial

Project Architect: Trillium Architects

Special Features

  • European triple-glazed doors and windows with traditional muntin bars
  • Standing seam aluminum roof for durability and recyclability
  • Newly finished attic space with media room, bar, and pool table
  • Glass handrails and guardrails for updated entry area and stairs
  • Direct vent wood fireplace in family room
  • LED vapor fireplace between kitchen and living room

Green Building Approaches

  • Excellent blower door test result of 0.85 ACH50.
  • Positive-energy house meaning that the solar PV system on the roof generates enough electricity to fully offset the energy required to operate the house over the course of a full year.
  • Siding and trim made from recycled waste product will last the life of the home.
  • Insulation products selected to minimize home’s carbon footprint and to significantly exceed building code minimum requirements.
  • Mineral wool batts used for 11” framed double walls and dense-pack cellulose for new 18” roof trusses.
  • Wood fibers in cellulose insulation sequester carbon and have unique moisture management properties.
  • Framed walls have continuous 1.5” layer of mineral wool board insulation.
  • Expanded polystyrene foam board insulation used over existing slab.
  • Closed-cell spray foam with low-GWP blowing agent used at basement/crawl exterior walls and existing roof framing.
  • Smart vapor retarder used at framed walls and new roof to prevent cold-weather vapor drive into wall and roof assemblies.

Certifications
Awards

2022 AIA CT Sustainable Architecture Award

Project Year
2021
HERS Score
-6
Type of Home
Contemporary update of colonial
City
Greenwich
State
CT
County
Fairfield
Project Size
9,000 Square Feet