architecture 4 us

The Sustainable Design of Montrose House by Latitude 38

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 06:53 AM PST

Latitude 38, a design and build firm based in Charlottesville, Virginia that is focused on unique and environmentally friendly designs, designed the Montrose House, a sustainable house design. They collaborated with Roscos Architectural, to develop this sustainable house, where Roscos designed the interior.Latitude 38 translated their idealism into a modern house, completed with sustainability.

This green home design was built in a sloped tight lot (48′ x 126′) in Belmont. The site’s views became a great advantage, but the lot’s condition created a challenge to create a house which can provide good privacy, sustainability aspects, and still can access the beautiful views.

Generally, this green home building is completed by three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, 1,837 sq ft, and an open layout on two levels. Getting the advantages from the height and sloped lot, the designer can provide maximum access for the scenery by built a dramatic 10'6″ high living area, with 8′ high kitchen and dining area at rear part, 4 steps higher than the living area. As the ceiling is flat, it feels lower at the kitchen, providing more intimate condition. The condition where there are height difference between the kitchen and the living area also provides additional spaces for storage.

Several new materials were used to create new environment inside. Plywood was substituted by 1″x12″ pine wood. The interior was designed in such ways to create cozy environment. From second floor, incredible view of Montalto can be seen. The master suit is located in the back part to provide optimal view.

The green home design considers the placing of windows and doors to provide optimal natural lighting and ventilation. They were designed to provide both privacy protection and maximizing the view. The western past, which receives more sunlight during the day has few windows and is clad in a standing-seam metal material usually used for roofing. All of these designs provide passive house concept’s application.

This green house design achieved 56 HERS point, means 44% more efficient than ordinary standard home. The sustainable house uses CF crawlspace (5″ foam/6″ poured concrete), 6″ of recycled-content cellulose in the walls (R19), open-cell blown foam insulation in the roof (R25), an exterior 1″ coat of Dow foam (R5.5), and dual-pane, argon-filled Pella windows. They provide energy efficiency for the house, protecting the house from energy losses. The house is also completed by an UltimateAir ERV with a 19-SEER 2.5 ton HVAC system to provide fresh air. Some environmentally friendly products, such as Energt Star appliances, water-saving fixtures, low-flow shower head, etc are also used.