Meadow View
Net Zero Energy,
High Performance
TYPE: New Construction, High Performance, Net Zero Energy, All Electric
SIZE: 1986 SF
LOCATION: Rough and Ready, Northern California
DATE: 2018
DESIGN: Jeff Adams (ADB alumnus) | Atmosphere Design Build
CONTRACTOR: Atmosphere Design Build
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Mark Jokerst, SE
MECHANICAL: Balance Point Home Performance
PUBLICATIONS: The Pretty Good House,
Photography: Kat Alves Photography
Designed by Atmosphere Design Build alumnus architect Jeff Adams for himself and his family, this energy-efficient house balances steep, panoramic views of meadow and oak woodland to the east, north, and west with appropriate southern orientation for passive solar design and daylighting.
Located within a creek watershed that cuts through the rolling hill topography of the lower Sierra Foothills, the compact design artfully merges the contemporary sensibilities of the architect/husband with the more traditional tastes of his wife (who grew up in a farmhouse in upstate New York). As a regionally appropriate departure point, the design adopts the rural, vernacular form of a two-story, gable-roofed barn. This basic typology is then strategically cut away to frame views and define recessed doorways. A porch and wood-framed trellis wrap around the house on three sides to provide functional outdoor space and create additional shading to windows and doors.
The material palette of the home evokes a connection to nature: weathered steel, solid timber structural members, and smooth troweled stucco protect the exterior from climate and fire; oak flooring, soapstone countertops, an oiled steel backspace, fired clay tile and more traditional detailing provide warmth and intimacy on the interior.
“The project honors the local, vernacular tradition while avidly responding to the contemporary challenge of building for a low-carbon future."
-Jeffrey Adams, Architect
High Performance Highlights
Assembly
Exterior rigid insulation to mitigate thermal bridging; advanced framing to minimize lumber and maximize insulation; ventilated attic with R-60 cellulose insulation; and a concrete slab for thermal mass, which is isolated from the walls and ground by an insulated perimeter.
Climate Control
The entire home to be heated and cooled with two ductless mini-split heat pumps (one at each level). A balanced, heat-recovery ventilation system ensures constant fresh, filtered air throughout the home without any substantial heat loss. A heat pump water heater further reduces the energy usage.
Energy
A 6.5 kw photovoltaic system, mounted on the barn, paired with two Tesla Powerwall backup batteries, offsets the home’s energy usage (including the charging of an electric car) – creating a zero net energy building.
