LEED
certification was the guiding principle for the construction of this
house/studio at the base of the Sangre de Christo Mountains. A passive
solar house with trombe walls is built with Structural Insulated Panels.
The southern side is protected in the summer with a calculated overhang.
The
house by Alan Powell Design is Targeting LEED Platinum. A super insulated
house with various calculations for window placement and insulation
are providing a very low HERS rating. An air exchange system is built
into the program as well as carefully selected materials. FSC(Forest
Stewardship Council) Alaskan Yellow Cedar, FSC quartered Maple, and
FSC bamboo will be used for the interior finishes. Water catchment,
graywater collection, and other water use strategies are incorporated
into the design.
Solar thermal panels, future solar photovoltaics, and a well insulated
passive solar house have the potential of reducing the carbon emissions
to zero. Verification of energy use will be recorded over time.
