Energy Efficient Home
East Machias, Maine
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Home Design Features
First Floor 512 SF 1 Bedroom
Second Floor 512 SF 1 1/2 Baths
Total SF 1024 SF Possible future addition
Energy Efficient Systems and Materials:
Small footprint to limit carbon footprint
Minimize site impact
Low maintenance
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We met Pat and Andy, of Avon, Connecticut, at a Log and Timber Home Show in Springfield, Massachusetts and were able to spend a considerable amount of time with them discussing their energy efficient home plans, their site location, and how they could utilize our services.
We are currently working with them to begin the design process for their “Place in Maine”, as they’ve affectionately nicknamed their future home. We reviewed their extensive research, including a very detailed portfolio of photos of their site (located on 193 acres on Hadley Lake in East Machias, Maine), topography plans, local building codes, and their wish list for the items they want to incorporate into their energy efficient home.
Andy and Pat have a true appreciation for their land, which they’ve owned and maintained for many years. The existing log cabin on the property will remain intact and the construction of their new lakefront home will take place nearby. “I want to feel outside when I’m inside, and I want the home to be rugged, strong, and functional like a Bluewater sailboat,” expressed Andy during our meeting.
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Pat and Andy's green home priorities:
Small footprint to minimize carbon footprint
Energy efficiency in all four New England seasons
Environmentally conscious to minimize site impact
Low maintenance and durability, easy to open and close up
Security in rural setting
Take advantage of lake views
Possible addition in the future
Energy efficient building materials:
• Board and batten and red cedar shingles for low maintenance and are aesthetically appropriate
with the property
• Standing seam metal roof for energy efficiency and eliminating snow and ice buildup
• Possible use of structural insulated panels
• Energy efficient windows
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Jeremy translated their ideas into
an energy efficient home design:
Sustainable design considerations:
• Passive solar design, with the first floor receiving the low winter sun (early morning and late evening sun) under the varied depth of the porch roof. The second floor, with a moderate roof overhang, will always have abundant natural light.
• The east, south, and west elevations have windows for natural cross ventilation. A cupola was added to allow for heat release in summer as well as aesthetics.
• Keeping in mind the clients’ plans to possibly build an addition in the future, Jeremy designed the north side of the building, which is the most buildable side of the property, to be easily expanded. The first floor laundry includes a storage bench under a window, both of which can be easily removed and become a doorway into a future addition.
• An open central stairway eliminates the need for hallways which keeps the footprint of the home to a minimum, as well as increasing circulation and natural light between the floors.
• A natural color palette of browns and greens was chosen for the exterior of the home, blending it with the rugged Maine environment.
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Update:
Congratulations to Pat and Andy! They received all of their necessary permits to begin the construction phase of their 1100 square foot energy efficient lakefront home, which will include a SIP panel (structural insulated panels) enclosure system. Since they are building their hybrid home with both lake and river boundaries, they needed several permits which included flood hazard development and setbacks. The town granted them permission to proceed and we are excited to begin the next phase for their home design.
Moving ahead with the design, Pat and Andy contracted with us for the Construction Phase portion of their small energy efficient home design and project management, and we look forward to our continued great relationship with this couple. We met last week to discuss the type of heating system and finishes we will incorporate into the next phase in order to start the construction process.
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Construction started this fall!
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| Path to the lake in Maine, the future site of their energy efficient home |
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| The existing cabin will stay in its current location on the property |
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| Hadley Lake, East Machias, Maine, site of this energy efficient home |
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