This year, our expert panel of judges evaluated nearly 40 projects on a range of criteria, including overall sustainability, resilience, affordability, synergy with the environment and surrounding neighborhood, and the depth of building science employed. We are proud to present such an exemplary array of green homes.
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The Rainier Vista Community is a 42-home sustainable micro community in Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood. The Rainier Vista Community project began as a partnership with the Seattle Housing Authority in 2010 and a commitment from Dwell Development’s owner, Anthony Maschmedt, to build 15 homes using green building techniques and high performance technology that would help homeowners conserve resources and cut costs. The excitement and demand generated by the project led to an additional 36 homes over five years with the last home completed and sold in July 2015. |
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Nestled on 100 acres in Texas Hill Country, this artist’s compound is a colorful gem of self-sufficient living and connection with nature. It is an energy efficient and creative nod to quintessential, self-reliant, Texas ranch living. |
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The Birch Case Study House was developed using the Living Building Challenge as a guide. The primary goal of this project was to implement numerous sustainable strategies highlighting the successes and failures when designing, permitting and constructing Living Buildings. |
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“IF IT IS NOT BEAUTIFUL, IT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE.” Architect/Builder Sylvain Côté’s mantra is evident in the impressive “Beach House” renovation his design/build firm completed in 2014. “I’m a firm believer in making design beautiful because if you don’t, someone will replace it. And that is wasteful,” Côté said. |
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Nicknamed the Power House, it is the first of its kind in Whatcom County. The home sends power to the city’s electrical grid when the sun is out and draws it during the night or on cloudy days. (Contrary to popular belief, the Pacific Northwest is an excellent place for solar). Averaged over the entire year, the panels will produce more power than the house uses, with enough of a surplus to power two electric cars through on-site charging stations. |
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Set into a mature Boston area neighborhood, this sophisticated home offers efficient use of space, expression through form, reserved material finishes, and myriad of green features. |
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Every home built by Dwell Development is designed with the goal of net-zero energy use in mind. The Reclaimed Modern home embodies that mindset with the use of repurposed building materials and energy-efficient technology. “We use a holistic approach at Dwell Development similar to the farm-to-table idea, where we incorporate local materials into our homes that are natural, recycled, or repurposed. It’s about making conscious choices,” says owner, Anthony Maschmedt. With materials cultivated from its surroundings, this home lives true to the firm’s principle belief of conservation. |
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Located 30 miles north of Prague, Czech Republic, an energy-efficient 1200 sf residence. The client requested a place to retreat: a private yet open space, full of light. The House was to be strikingly modern yet contextual. Built upon an abandoned single-story structure for housing pigs and chickens, it is an extension of an 18th century farmhouse. The new construction achieves the challenging performance requirements of a German Passivhaus, and it exceeds LEED Platinum. |
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The house was designed by the homeowners and built by Glastonbury Housesmith - which constructed the first LEED certified Gold house in Connecticut. The main goals were to build a durable, energy-efficient, and healthy home. The home is a reflection of the homeowners' desire to try to substantially reduce their impact on the world which will affect our children, grandchildren, and all future generations. |
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