Case Study
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Sunshine Construction: 5-Star Queen Anne Remodel
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Built Green Rating: 5 Star
Remodeling Checklist
Location: Magnolia, Seattle |
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This month’s featured home is a 5-star remodel in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood. The first 5-star remodel certified by Built Green, this home is uniquely situated on a steep slope and features beautiful views of Puget Sound. The slope and a nearby eagle’s nest provided additional challenges, so minimizing the project’s impact on the land became an underlying guiding principle in the design and construction process.
Designed by Grace Huang of Ming Architecture and Design, and built by Jon Alexander of Sunshine Construction, environmentally responsible options were chosen at every step of the project to reflect the stewardship ethic of the owner. Site and water features include a 960-gallon rainwater collection cistern, no use of grass, dual flush toilets and the use of pier/pin footings.
To achieve extraordinary energy efficiency, a 2-kilowatt photovoltaic solar system was used in conjunction with triple-glazed U-.23 windows, R-45 attic insulation, sun tubes and high efficiency appliances. Low VOC finishes were used throughout the home, and no formaldehyde-emitting materials were used anywhere in the project. No carpet or vinyl was used in the home, and the home was vented after each new finish was applied.
Efficient use of materials was a top priority of the homeowner, so the list of deconstructed and re-used materials included lumber, doors, wood trim, plumbing, electrical fixtures and brick. Salvaged material that came from other sites included cedar siding and trim, oak flooring and stair treads. While new wood was used for lumber, plywood, cabinetry and trim, only FSC-certified products were used. Additionally, products made from recycled or rapidly renewable resources were used, included cork, true linoleum, glass tile and Squak Mountain Stone slabs for the vanities and tub surround.
The many green features include:
Site and Water Protection
- Restricted remodel to existing footprint
- Careful to minimize impact on steep slope in critical eagle habitat
- 960 gallon rainwater collection cistern
- Dual-flush toilets
- Pier-pin footings
- No turf grass
Using Energy Wisely
- 2 Kw solar photovoltaic system
- Triple glazed U-.23 windows
- High efficiency energy saving Energy Star® dishwashers, hot water, and refrigerator
- R-45 attic insulation
- Sun tubes to bring natural light into the home
Health and Indoor Air Quality
- No formaldehyde emitting products used anywhere in project
- No carpet used in the project
- Used low-VOC paints on all interior surfaces
- Ventilated with fans after each new finish was applied
- No vinyl used anywhere in the project
Using Materials Wisely and Reducing Waste
- Recycling and salvaging of materials during construction
- Deconstruction and reuse of lumber, wood trim, doors, plumbing, electrical fixtures and brick
- Used salvaged material from other sites such as cedar siding, oak flooring, stair treads and trim
- FSC certified wood products used for framing lumber, cabinetry, plywood and trim
- Rapidly renewable flooring surfaces included cork, and true linoleum
- Used Squak Mountain Stone, a locally manufactured countertop with high post consumer waste content as tub surround, and recycled glass tile in bathrooms
- Use of local and regional products to reduce oil consumption in shipping and promote local economies
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