[CSDA] residential.

1st PLACE

Edge House, Boulder

Architect: Rodwin Architecture

SUSTAINABLE FEATURES

* The project introduced Boulder's first legal gray water system, which required lobbying to change the building code, and a ground source heat pump. The design utilized an innovative sleeved technique to allow the hole to be drilled through 100 feet of gravel.

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* The previously piped storm water system was opened up to restore it to its historic configuration as a natural, "seasonal wetland."

* Energy strategies include passive solar design (window size, placement and tuning, paired with large calculated overhangs), natural daylighting (light from two sides of all major rooms, and a giant Kalwall skylight at the core), natural cooling (operable windows on two sides of all major rooms), and thermal mass at the core (three-story stone wall).

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OVERVIEW

Located in a dense 5o-year-old neighborhood, the property has easy bus access and is near shopping and schools. The existing 43-year-otd, 7,000-square-foot house was built substantially over the property lines, had no possibility for passive solar orientation, and contained six stories and lots of asbestos. The project entailed deconstructing it, resulting in a 91 percent landfill diversion. An innovative "replacement value" accounting method for deconstruction tax deductions made the renovation financially competitive with demolition. The new exterior material palette reflects the predominant use of local materials in the existing neighborhood. By preserving the existing vegetation and augmenting it with native xeric plants, almost 30 percent of the site that had been previously built upon was restored to native habitat. The living and dining rooms bend around a large existing tree, creating a beautiful outdoor room.

JUDGES' COMMENTS

THIS LEED PLATINUM-CERTIFIED, ZERO-ENERGY HOME, FEATURING A CLIMATE-APPROPRIATE PASSIVE DESIGN, CAN HELP TEACH THE WORLD ABOUT THE NET-ZERO CONCEPT AND HOW TO BE TRULY SUSTAINABLE. ITS WATER RECLAMATION SYSTEM--THE FIRST LEGALLY PERMITTED GRAY-WATER SYSTEM IN THE CITY OF BOULDER--CAN HELP PROMOTE HOW COLORADO CAN ATTACK ITS ANTIQUATED WATER USE RESTRICTIONS. IN MANY WAYS, THIS HOME IS A LABORATORY FROM WHICH WE CAN ALL LEARN."

2nd PLACE

Ridge View, Nederland

Architect: Weber Architecture

SUSTAINABLE FEATURES

* 24 Ridge View has received the highest level of sustainable building certification by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National Green Building Standard.

* Floor, wall and roof framing materials are engineered lumber systems and wood systems certified by the Forest Stewardship Council U.S. to ensure protection from over-forestation practices. All interior and exterior wood applications are recycled from local beetle killed trees or from FSC controlled forested products.

* The main tongue-and-groove wood flooring system is made from Trestle Wood reclaimed from train trestles located in the Great Salt Lake area.

OVERVIEW

Nestled in the foothills above Boulder, this is the first of 30 homes planned for the net-zero community of Caribou Ridge. Cutting-edge sustainable building materials, renewable energy-efficient systems and conveniences of contemporary lifestyle are integrated into an architecture intended to celebrate its connection to the Rocky Mountains. 24 Ridge View represents the middle range of residential quality, home size and lot size available in Caribou Ridge. Although the home is a prototype for the net-zero community, it is not intended to be duplicated verbatim. Future adjacent homes will be similar only through their renewable energy systems, sustainable approach and general character, The home is also intended to be a Hybrid Renewable Energy project that incorporates multiple types of sustainable design practices.

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JUDGES' COMMENTS

THE HOME AT 24 RIDGE VIEW IS THE FIRST OF 30 PLANNED FOR THE NET-ZERO COMMUNITY OF CARIBOU RIDGE. FOR THE DEVELOPER TO DESIGN AND BUILD THIS ONE FIRST IS IMPRESSIVE, SINCE IT WILL BE THE PROTOTYPE FOR THE COMMUNITY. WIND TURBINES WILL PROVIDE PLENTY OF POWER AND ARE THE FIRST OF THEIR KIND IN COLORADO FOR A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD OF THIS SCALE. ITS CONTEXTUAL DESIGN INCLUDES ENTRANCES THAT WILL PROVIDE SHELTER FROM THE WIND. THIS PROJECT IS DESIGNED WITH THE MICRO-ENVIRONMENT IN MIND

3rd PLACE

Imagine! SmartHome

Architect: PEH Architects

SUSTAINABLE FEATURES

* On-site renewable energy systems supplement each other to take full advantage of "free" energy. Solar PV panels provide electricity for the geothermal heat pumps. Super-heaters installed on the heat pumps provide additional hot water to supplement the solar hot water panels.

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* The orientation and roof slope were chosen to optimize the southern solar exposure for the solar panels. Long roof overhangs shade large windows in the summer, but allow passive solar heat gain in the winter.

* Multiple clearstory windows were incorporated throughout the building for natural light.

* There is no use of natural gas anywhere in the project. In addition, the house has been preliminarily rated at a HERS score of 24, approaching a net-zero energy home.

OVERVIEW

Imagine! SmartHome is a new one-story group home for people with developmental delays and cognitive disabilities. An energy-efficient building envelope is complemented by solar photovoltaic, solar hot water, geothermal heating and cooling, and passive solar design. In addition, the SmartHome technologies such as task prompters to assist in daily tasks, Ceiling mounted lifts in bedrooms, and automated window blinds were incorporated in to design in order to aid the day-to-day activities of the residents. The approximate construction cost of the project was $1.2 Million.

JUDGES' COMMENTS

THIS ONE-STORY GROUP HOME IN BOULDER HOUSES PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS AND COGNITIVE DISABILITIES. ITS PRELIMINARY "HOME ENERGY RATING SCORE" OF 24--WHICH REPRESENTS A 76-PERCENT REDUCTION IN ENERGY USE RELATIVE TO CODE--WAS ACHIEVED THROUGH THE INSTALLATION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS, GROUND-SOURCE HEAT PUMPS AND SOLAR HOT WATER PANELS. THERE ARE STRONG SOCIAL ASPECTS OF THIS PROJECT, INCLUDING ITS ORIENTATION TO TRANSIT. THE FACT THAT IT WAS BUILT ON A CONSTRAINED URBAN SITE AND ACHIEVED A STRONG SPACE-TO-UNIT RATIO IS SIGNIFICANT."