Carbon-free and Aging in Place

This beautiful arts and crafts style home is the proud winner of the 2024 Winnetka Green Award for eco-friendly home deconstruction and sustainable new home build. Our design team was able to work with these exceptional homeowners to recreate the comfortable feel of the original house that used to sit on the property, while making it new, airtight and as eco-friendly as possible.

• The previous home was dismantled piece by piece to maximize the reuse potential of the components, which were donated to charities and salvaged to build or refurbish low-income housing in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
• We prioritized preservation of sentimental pieces like the original front door, which now acts as the door to the primary wing and the original fireplace wood paneling, now in place as an accent wall.
• On the exterior recycled plastic AZEK sills were used and we applied Benjamin Obdyke Home Slicker to act as a drainage plane, wicking any water back out to keep material dry, causing it to last a lot longer.
• The cedar siding is composed of small pieces of clear cedar that would normally just be put in a landfill. This siding is beveled and also finger-jointed to last a very, very long time. The trim material is made similarly from reused material.
• The synthetic roofing, designed to resemble the appearance of cedar shakes, is actually recycled plastic and the roof hosts solar panels as well.
• Heat pumps are being used instead of a gas furnace.
• Rain chains transform plain downspouts into a pleasing water feature, avoiding erosion and splashing by leading water to the ground.
• The landscaping incorporates native plants and a rain garden swale to optimize stormwater management on the property – and for the community – while promoting pollinator-friendly habitats.

HOME DESIGN FOR AGING IN PLACE

Additionally, the home was designed with special features and amenities that will allow the homeowners to gracefully age in place in this inviting green home.

• A first floor primary suite is accessed through an extra-wide hallway and the primary bath has a zero threshold shower with oversized door – to keeping everything accessible and easily accommodate a wheelchair or walker.
• A ramp entry inside the garage leads to a flat threshold, eliminating steps into the home.
• An elevator services all three floors of the house.
• An endless pool with custom Ipe wood deck surround in the sunroom allows for exercising at home
• In the kitchen, a modern oven with side-swing doors allows safer access to hot food and a coffee bar larder keeps the coffee maker, microwave and toaster neatly tucked away. Electric appliances include an induction cooktop that is safely cool to the touch right after use.

ECO-FRIENDLY CRAFTSMAN STYLE HOME 

The characteristics of traditional craftsman style are evident throughout the home, with a bit of whimsy and eco-friendly ingenuity made available by the custom design-build process.

• Low-pitched roofs hover over wide, open front porches held up by thick-tapered columns.
• Use of natural wood is extensive on the interiors and includes flooring, a custom cherry wood staircase, shelving, exposed ceiling beams, window trim, and intricate moldings.
• Custom-designed bookcases surround the fireplace mantel, which has unique custom tile accents that the clients found from a Pennsylvania tile maker.
• Hand-crafted wrought iron pulls, a towel bar and toilet paper holder feature a bird design from a manufacturer in Belgium and play off the floral wallpaper and bird cage hanging light fixture.

It was an absolute pleasure to work with these conscientious homeowners to remain steadfast in our commitment to environmental stewardship and conservation. We are so honored to have created a forever home for them to enjoy with family and friends for years and years to come.

Photography: Stoffer Photography Interiors

Interior Design: Scott Byron & Co