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Model Remodel—A Mediterranean Transformation of a Midcentury Modern

Vital Stats

Section

Remodel Points

Location: Cedar Park, Seattle
Star Level: 4-Star
Checklist: 2018 Remodel
Verifier: Evergreen Certified
Site and Water 73
Energy Efficiency 108
Health and Indoor Air Quality 116
Material Efficiency 97
  Total Score 394

In the shadow of a mature tree canopy, Model Remodel’s contemporary home combines Northwest living with Mediterranean pattern and colors. This Built Green 4-Star certified home recently was awarded a 2023 REX Award for Green Remodel. The 1950s home was fully remodeled, including a 2nd story addition for a primary suite. Integration of indoor spaces with the natural environment was a key element to its redesign. The open floor plan with generous windows and glass doors creates a front-to-back view through the entire home, and easy access to its extensive outdoor activity spaces. Abundant with natural light and worldly décor, this playful remodel of a classic midcentury modern property made air sealing, eco-conscious materials, and green certification a priority.

Model Remodel's Mediterranean transformation of a Midcentury Modern, exterior

Achieving an improvement of 29.3% over Washington’s 2015 energy code, an airtightness blower door score of 2.94 ACH, and a 4-Star Built Green rating, the home is comfortable all year round. The ductless multi split system in the bedrooms provides efficient heating and cooling using ceiling mounted cassettes, making it so you hardly know the system is there. A combination of rigid foam board and caulked foam were used to achieve such an airtight tight seal of the older home. Spot ERVs provide fresh air, while recovering temperature and moisture. A centrally located ducted system provides optimal comfort in the vaulted-ceiling open floorplan of the home. In-floor heat radiant heat in the bathroom floor tile offer additional comfort.

Above-code fiberglass windows and doors provide tons of natural light, eliminating the need for electrical lighting during daytime hours. LED lighting is used at night. A beautiful nano door and pocket window in the kitchen can be easily opened for an indoor-outdoor living environment. Low-VOC finishes on the flooring and shelving, plus no-VOC interior paint, keep air quality excellent.

Increasing the functionality of the home’s existing living space two rooms were redesigned into flexible multifunctional spaces. One area has a built-in murphy bed that can be pulled down for overnight guests, and another room features a sliding partition wall that can separate one room into two functional spaces.

One of the most obvious décor choices in the home is the Mediterranean-style patterned tile, which was salvaged from previous jobs and used here for multiple backsplashes and bathrooms. Cork flooring was used in multifunctional rooms to enhance comfort and warmth. It’s the patterned tile and flooring that bring color and vibrancy to a neutral paint palette. Lighting, cabinet hardware and décor are all sourced from the homeowners’ worldly travels, giving the home unique personality. Large 55 foot glulam beams effortlessly transition between indoor and outdoor evoking the tall trees on the property. Additionally, reusing the existing concrete foundation and basement, and fireplace, preserved and reduced embodied carbon emissions that would have been emitted had the home been torn down, rather than remodeled. A recycled content metal roof protects this home for the next century of its lifecycle.

Before/In Progress

Model Remodel's Mediterranean transformation of a Midcentury Modern, exterior, before
Model Remodel's Mediterranean transformation of a Midcentury Modern, interior, before
Model Remodel's Mediterranean transformation of a Midcentury Modern, exterior, before
 

After

Model Remodel's Mediterranean transformation of a Midcentury Modern, bathroom
Model Remodel's Mediterranean transformation of a Midcentury Modern, interior
Model Remodel's Mediterranean transformation of a Midcentury Modern, exterior, bedroom
 

Built Green highlights:

Site and Water

  • To increase to building footprint
  • Retained all existing trees and vegetation
  • Light-colored and pervious hardscaping
  • 66% of stormwater mitigated on-site
  • WaterSense, Low-flow plumbing fixtures
  • Bike storage area provided

Energy Efficiency

  • Modelled to achieve 29.3% improvement over WSEC 2015
  • Airtightness of 2.94ACH
  • R-23 wall with blown-in-batt insulation
  • R-51 ceiling from spray foam and batt insulation
  • Fiberglass windows have U-Factor of 0.30
  • Centrally ducted and ductless heat pump and radiant heating systems
  • Gas tankless water heater with an EF 0.96
  • LED lighting
  • EnergyStar appliances
  • Solar powered walkway lights

Health and Indoor Air Quality

  • Reused lumber for home’s furniture
  • No carpeting
  • Greenguard Gold certified insulation
  • Low VOC paints, adhesives, and finishes
  • CARB II flooring, cabinets and millwork
  • Spot ERVs integrated with thermostat and bath fan timers for balanced ventilation
  • Shoe removal vestibule and storage at major entrances

Materials Efficiency

  • Open and stacked floorplan
  • Two rooms are flexible and multifunctional
  • An abundance of locally-produced materials
  • No vinyl flooring, siding, windows, or plumbing
  • Cork flooring
  • Refinished original red oak hardwood flooring
  • Salvaged tile and reused hardware
  • Local cedar and recycled-content cement-fiber siding
  • Recycled content metal roofing with lifecycle of over 50 years
  • At least 75% recycling rate through source-separated and comingled recycling of all waste

Model Remodel's Mediterranean transformation of a Midcentury Modern, open kitchen


Photo Credits: Cindy Apple Photography

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