North Pond Remodel
Energy Retrofit, Building Electrification
TYPE: Remodel, Addition and Energy Retrofit
SIZE: 2474 sf with an attached 2 car garage (footprint was unchanged)
LOCATION: Grass Valley, Northern California
DATE: 2023
DESIGN: Mela Breen & Erin Humphrey | Atmosphere Design Build
CONTRACTOR: Atmosphere Design Build
MECHANICAL: Balance Point Home Performance
Photography by Kat Alves
Drawn to the large pond, mature fruit trees, and good growing climate, our clients bought their property knowing they would eventually want to remodel the house to better connect to the land. The original house had rooms incongruently stitched together that didn’t highlight the view across the pond that occupies much of the north side of the property. The interior spaces included a dark kitchen, cut off from the living space, awkward bathrooms, and a general lack of indoor-outdoor connection.
The project became a delicate surgical intervention, removing the existing hodge-podge roof over the primary living and reorganizing the relationship between the kitchen, living and dining room, to create functional and visual connections with the surrounding landscape. The new shed roof volume rises from the existing private east and west wings and creates a soaring double height wall on the north side of the house. In a cooling climate, minimizing windows on the south side and embracing the expansive northern view becomes an asset for the building comfort and performance.
As avid cooks, beermakers, and gardeners our clients wanted a kitchen that was elegant but that was designed to be a workspace for preserving and processing the produce grown in their garden. The kitchen is designed with key connections to the mudroom, to flow out to the deck, and to graciously accommodate hosting of family and friends.
Within the open floor plan a corner window area creates a contemplative spot to view the daily and seasonal patterns of nature.
“At one time we had 11 Great Egrets that flew into a Black Oak next to the pond, to roost every night 15 minutes after the sunset. And, in the morning, they would leave 15 minutes before sunrise.
There are 3 returning goose couples that nests on the island and raise their young on the pond.” -Wendy van Helder
High Performance Highlights
Assembly
The attic space was brought into the conditioned area with an unvented roof assembly, of R-62, and proper air sealing. A continuous air barrier was created with attention to the existing construction and tying in thoughtfully to the new addition. All the existing walls were re-insulated and the existing crawl space was encapsulated. New low solar heat gain windows were installed throughout the home. The house was clad in cementitious and standing seam metal siding for a robust low maintenance and fire resistant siding.
Climate Control
A heat pump water heater replaced the existing gas water heater. Indoor climate control is provided by two ducted mini-split systems that allow for zoned heating and cooling.
Energy
Building electrification, with the removal of all gas fired equipment, contributes to decarbonization. An induction cooktop replaced a gas range and all the mechanical equipment was replaced with energy efficient heat pump equipment. The 5.7 kW roof mounted photovoltaic system with a backup battery for resilience and load shifting provides renewable energy for the all-electric home.