This Southwest Portland neighborhood site slopes gently from east to west. The design arranges interior spaces and outdoor areas to the east and south, away from the street, emphasizing views back to an existing grove of trees and planned gardens.

 

The clients for this project were interested in exploring and integrating a number of environmental responses into their new home. The house form allows for natural ventilation and passive solar heating, supported by a hydronic heating system. The house is free of fossil fuels, has a metered solar electric system, and is pre-plumbed for solar hot water. A high-efficiency air-to-water heat pump provides for the hydronics and domestic hot water.

This project has been certified Platinum in the LEED for Homes Pilot Project.