Case Study

Vital Stats Location: Redmond Star Level: 4-Star Checklist: Single Family/Community Size: 13 homes, 1080-2700 SF Section Points Site and Water 70 Energy Efficiency 33 Indoor Air Quality 56 Material Efficiency 69 Operation/Maintenance 40 Total Score 268

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The Cottage Company- Conover Commons Homes
Redmond, WA

This month's featured project is Conover Commons Homes, the second and final phase of the Conover Commons community in Redmond's North Rose Hill neighborhood. The homes were designed by Ross Chapin Architects and built by The Cottage Company, and achieved 4-Star certification in 2008. The first phase of the community, Conover Commons Cottages, was completed in 2004 and carries a Built Green 3-Star Community rating. This community has been looked to nationally as a model for intentional compact and connected communities and recently won the 2009 Built Green Washington Award in the Community Development category. Each of the homes was also certified through Energy Star Homes Northwest, and at a minimum, perform 15% better than Washington State Energy Code. The Commons building has a 1.5 KW photovoltaic system that provides most of the electrical needs for the building. The Cottage Company also established a native growth protection area to protect 4.5 acres of sensitive area on the site, and clustered the site plan to cultivate a sense of community and increase the overall sites' environmental performance.

Some of the many green features of the project include:

Site and Water Protection

• Established native growth protection area on 4.5 acres of the ten acre site.
• Limited heavy equipment use on the site
• Native topsoil was retained and enriched with compost
• Soils amended to a minimum depth of 12 inches
• Donated removed plants to neighbors
• Ground land clearing waste for re-use on site
• Provided large covered front porches for each house
• Large single-car garages are clustered on the site perimeter, minimizing impervious surface & enabling higher indoor air quality
• Limited turf grass to less than 25% of the landscaped area
• Extensive use of native plants throughout Commons area gardens
• Common area courtyard and Commons building
• Organic garden methods mandated by community Covenants
• High efficient drip irrigation in Commons area gardens
• Infill site located near major employment center and on transit line. Bus stop at the entry to the community.
• Walkable location close to neighborhood parks and trails

Energy-Efficiency

• Homes designed to be 15% more energy efficient than code
• Non-ducted heating equipment located inside heated space
• Dimmable compact fluorescent lighting
• Exterior walls insulated to R-23, vaulted ceilings insulated to R-44
• Radiant heating systems, no forced air
• Use of clerestory windows for natural lighting
• Energy Star front loading washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, and heating equipment
• Photovoltaic system used on community building

Indoor Air Quality

• Low-VOC/low-toxic paints used for all major interior surfaces
• Ductless heating system
• Homes have large single-car garages located on the site perimeter to enhance community interaction & indoor air quality.
• Carpet used for less than 1/3 of total floor area
• Provided balanced or slightly positive indoor pressure using controlled ventilation

Material Use

• Trees from site dried and milled for use as flooring, beams and structural columns
• Extensive recycling plan to manage jobsite waste
• Ground land clearing waste and re-used
• Used advanced framing and engineered structural products
• Used a 50-year siding product and 30 year roofing product
• Used recycled content plastic lumber for decks and porches

Still Images

Click on an image to enlarge.

Photos 1, 2, and 3 courtesy of The Cottage Company/Ross Chapin Architects. Photos 4 and 5 courtesy of The Cottage Company/Triad Associates.

 

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