This Earth (and earth)-friendly home puts the ‘green’ in Greenwich.
A couple who spent their careers in healthcare wanted a home where they could age in place and that reflected their values: the importance of wellness, connections to nature, and a minimized carbon footprint. They got their wish with the 5,700-square-foot single-family home in Greenwich, Connecticut that they completed in 2025.
This custom home has a net energy positive footprint. Sectional relationship of spaces within the house respond to the topography, waterfront views and solar orientation. Credit: Michael Biondo Photography
There’s a real connection to earth and Mother Nature with the home. The house, built by Stamford, Conn.-based Prutting+Co., is positioned on a sloping half-acre lot that overlooks the harbor and the Long Island Sound beyond. The footprint and sectional relationship of spaces within the house respond to the topography, waterfront views and solar orientation.
The actively used outdoor living spaces, located along the south side yard, include a pergola, deck and raised garden beds. Also, given views of the harbor from above, primary spaces are located on the upper floor accessed by elevator and central stair that ascends along the atrium.
The dimensions of the atrium space spill out into the landscape—designed by local architectural firm James Doyle Design Associates (JDDA)—with an outdoor pergola and forecourt animated with organic and curvilinear shapes of a Zen-garden, including raked shells, a topiary tree and rock formations. No-mow grass and native plantings reduce water consumption and decrease maintenance requirements from gas-powered equipment. A covered entry walkway is lined with vine-growing louvers continuing the integration of plant material throughout and around the house.
Reducing energy consumption is central to this home’s sustainability objectives and the owners’ world view. The project is net positive with a certified HERS index score of minus 18. The home, designed by Amanda Martocchio Architecture, requires minimal ongoing maintenance given the application of durable, weather-resistant materials that are panelized with open joints and meticulously weave around the exterior of the house.
In the atrium, an operable four-foot-by-four-foot skylight allows excess heat to escape, while supporting the daylight requirements for a growing tree. In the living room, the net zero fireplace’s flame is produced by combusting bioethanol vapor, offering the flame of a traditional fire without the carbon footprint.
Deep southern roof overhangs and balconies provide summer shading and allow for desirable winter warming. Additionally, large windows are covered with aluminum louvers that diffuse direct sunlight and provide textural interest on the outside and inside. An array of rooftop photovoltaics combined with heat pumps contribute to zero-carbon emissions.
An outdoor pergola and forecourt with organic and curvilinear shapes of a Zen-garden, including rock formations and a topiary tree, provide eye-pleasing natural beauty. Credit: Michael Biondo Photography
Managing abundant daylight is accomplished with deep overhangs, window louvers and recessed motorized shades, while artificial lighting is introduced through dimmable LED recessed lighting on a programmable Lutron system. Occupancy sensors also help to reduce lighting demand in closets and low occupancy rooms.
A tight thermal envelope is achieved with a rigorously detailed rainscreen wall assembly with four inches of continuous rigid insulation (two staggered layers with joints taped), tenacious air-sealing, and triple-glazed windows and doors. During construction, an emphasis was placed on air-sealing techniques, leading to a 1.15 ACH50 blower door test. Any supplemental heating and cooling, rarely required, is produced by the 19-kilowatt rooftop photovoltaics combined with heat pumps. Fresh air is renewed throughout the home with operable windows and an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) system.
Materials selected for this home were based on product durability, recycled content and environmentally focused production. On the exterior, materials with environmental product declarations (EPDs) include FSC-certified Parklex Prodema laminated wood panels, and Cembrit and Equitone cement fiber board, manufactured from recycled content containing cellulose fibers, sand and cement. Kebony FSC-certified thermally modified wood decking, which resists rot, decay and warping is used for the atrium flooring and exterior decking.
Alan Naditz is managing editor of Green Builder Magazine. He has covered numerous industries in his extensive career, including residential and commercial construction, small and corporate business, real estate and sustainability.
On Solid Ground
This Earth (and earth)-friendly home puts the ‘green’ in Greenwich.
A couple who spent their careers in healthcare wanted a home where they could age in place and that reflected their values: the importance of wellness, connections to nature, and a minimized carbon footprint. They got their wish with the 5,700-square-foot single-family home in Greenwich, Connecticut that they completed in 2025.
This custom home has a net energy positive footprint. Sectional relationship of spaces within the house respond to the topography, waterfront views and solar orientation. Credit: Michael Biondo Photography
There’s a real connection to earth and Mother Nature with the home. The house, built by Stamford, Conn.-based Prutting+Co., is positioned on a sloping half-acre lot that overlooks the harbor and the Long Island Sound beyond. The footprint and sectional relationship of spaces within the house respond to the topography, waterfront views and solar orientation.
The actively used outdoor living spaces, located along the south side yard, include a pergola, deck and raised garden beds. Also, given views of the harbor from above, primary spaces are located on the upper floor accessed by elevator and central stair that ascends along the atrium.
The dimensions of the atrium space spill out into the landscape—designed by local architectural firm James Doyle Design Associates (JDDA)—with an outdoor pergola and forecourt animated with organic and curvilinear shapes of a Zen-garden, including raked shells, a topiary tree and rock formations. No-mow grass and native plantings reduce water consumption and decrease maintenance requirements from gas-powered equipment. A covered entry walkway is lined with vine-growing louvers continuing the integration of plant material throughout and around the house.
Reducing energy consumption is central to this home’s sustainability objectives and the owners’ world view. The project is net positive with a certified HERS index score of minus 18. The home, designed by Amanda Martocchio Architecture, requires minimal ongoing maintenance given the application of durable, weather-resistant materials that are panelized with open joints and meticulously weave around the exterior of the house.
In the atrium, an operable four-foot-by-four-foot skylight allows excess heat to escape, while supporting the daylight requirements for a growing tree. In the living room, the net zero fireplace’s flame is produced by combusting bioethanol vapor, offering the flame of a traditional fire without the carbon footprint.
Deep southern roof overhangs and balconies provide summer shading and allow for desirable winter warming. Additionally, large windows are covered with aluminum louvers that diffuse direct sunlight and provide textural interest on the outside and inside. An array of rooftop photovoltaics combined with heat pumps contribute to zero-carbon emissions.
An outdoor pergola and forecourt with organic and curvilinear shapes of a Zen-garden, including rock formations and a topiary tree, provide eye-pleasing natural beauty. Credit: Michael Biondo Photography
Managing abundant daylight is accomplished with deep overhangs, window louvers and recessed motorized shades, while artificial lighting is introduced through dimmable LED recessed lighting on a programmable Lutron system. Occupancy sensors also help to reduce lighting demand in closets and low occupancy rooms.
A tight thermal envelope is achieved with a rigorously detailed rainscreen wall assembly with four inches of continuous rigid insulation (two staggered layers with joints taped), tenacious air-sealing, and triple-glazed windows and doors.
During construction, an emphasis was placed on air-sealing techniques, leading to a 1.15 ACH50 blower door test. Any supplemental heating and cooling, rarely required, is produced by the 19-kilowatt rooftop photovoltaics combined with heat pumps. Fresh air is renewed throughout the home with operable windows and an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) system.
Materials selected for this home were based on product durability, recycled content and environmentally focused production. On the exterior, materials with environmental product declarations (EPDs) include FSC-certified Parklex Prodema laminated wood panels, and Cembrit and Equitone cement fiber board, manufactured from recycled content containing cellulose fibers, sand and cement. Kebony FSC-certified thermally modified wood decking, which resists rot, decay and warping is used for the atrium flooring and exterior decking.
By Alan Naditz
Alan Naditz is managing editor of Green Builder Magazine. He has covered numerous industries in his extensive career, including residential and commercial construction, small and corporate business, real estate and sustainability.Also Read