Hilltop Residence and Site Sustainable Design

Sustainability on a residential renovation can be difficult to achieve. As this project was a complete gut renovation and two small additions, which included a new third story space, roof, and a rear addition, it was easy to investigate a wide variety of sustainable options. The building envelope was improved, interior aspects modified, and the energy generation systems explored and selected to all work in unison to enhance the end result of the project. In order to measure the degree of sustainability, ODG wanted to use a residential design rating system. At the time this house was designed there were few recognized residential rating systems available and none appeared to be as stringent and broad reaching as the LEED Commercial Rating system. ODG used the LEED 2.2 rating system as a guideline. When this project began, LEED for Homes had not yet been developed. The Hilltop Residence project sought to infuse an existing residence with the following qualities: cost effective technology, a “not to...