ZeroEnergy Design: The Truro Residence

ZeroEnergy Design: Truro Residence

Project Location: Truro, Massachusetts
Client: Professional couple with large immediate family

Description: New 6,200 sq. ft., modern, zero energy, seven bedroom, eight bathroom, oceanfront vacation home sits on 1.7 acres, 115’ above sea level overlooking Cape Cod Bay. This environmentally sensitive home conserves water, features native landscaping and produces as much energy as it uses per year. The unique form of the home, inspired by the coastal topography, expands towards the water to capture the majestic ocean view. Designed for informal outdoor living, the home’s ocean-side deck provides not only an inviting spot to relax during a summer afternoon, but also a generous space to host large family events.

The home features a geothermal heating and cooling system, radiant heating, a solar electric system, and fresh air ventilation to ensure healthy indoor air quality.

Client Request: The client asked for a sensible, modern beach home with clean lines. They wanted to avoid the cold, austere feeling associated with many modern houses. The home was to serve as a weekend getaway for two and a summer heaven for the growing family of twenty.

Project Overview & Challenges:

• Defining the Space: ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) accommodates the home’s extreme fluctuation in occupancy (from a weekend getaway for two to a summer home for the entire family) with features two primary volumes: The “Living Bar” includes the kitchen, living and dining areas, and a guest suite – everything the couple needs when their children are away. The “Sleeping Bar” expands to accommodate the entire family. It can be decommissioned to conserve energy when vacant, effectively halving the size of the house.

• Integrated Design Process: ZED used a 3D digital design platform with energy modeling to enable faster, more informed decisions. Conventional drawings depict 2D designs through plans and elevations. The 3D modeling process, however, allowed photo-realistic perspectives and helped the client better visualize and select from design options, such as initial schematic designs or flooring materials. Similarly, the 3D model served as an ideal mechanism to for ZED and the builder to communicate. It was instrumental in enabling an efficient 14 month construction time. The integrated design process also incorporated an energy model, which allowed ZED to take a calculated approach towards sustainability by informing the designer with an understanding of energy performance implications at each design decision.

• Zero Net Energy Facing West: Conventional passive design principles include limiting west-facing glazing to mitigate unwanted afternoon heat gain. The site’s spectacular west-facing view out over the water, however, required a creative, unconventional approach. ZED used performance feedback from its energy model to select design features that would compensate for the extra heat gain and meet the client’s energy goals. The home uses two-thirds less energy than a code-built home; the remaining electricity use is offset by the solar panels atop the south-facing roof.

Additional Characteristics:

• Zero Net Energy Residence: The home was designed for zero net energy consumption. The energy efficient home uses two-thirds less energy than a codebuilt home, which is offset by electricity produced by solar panels atop the southern roof. Further, the energy features that enabled zero net energy are calculated at approximately 8% of the construction budget.

• “Free” Heating and Cooling: The geothermal system will both heat and cool the home throughout the year. The radiant floors are particularly well suited for the home’s high ceilings in the living space and master suite since they will directly warm the people, not the space.

• Fresh Air Ventilation for Healthy Indoor Air: A heat recovery ventilator provides clean fresh air in all seasons; it exchanges heat between the incoming and outgoing air streams to minimize energy losses.

• Sensors Identify HVAC Problems Before Homeowner: The HVAC system was commissioned for peak operating efficiency and has sensors that detect system complications before the client can sense the problem.

• Low Carbon Footprint Means Less Environmental Impact: Each year, the Truro Residence will source 100% of its energy from clean electricity produced by the solar panels. The nearly fossil fuel free home only consumes propane in the kitchen range and a fireplace.

• Durable Materials: The homes materials, both inside and out, were selected to endure the harsh ocean environment and heavy traffic. Flooring materials are limited to polished concrete, bluestone and vertical grain bamboo. Exterior materials include ship-lapped cedar siding, a zinc roof, and sustainably harvested ipe decking.

Source: ZeroEnergy Design