Project Description
“We are extremely proud of our achievement of LEED for Homes Gold Certification; the Owner’s commitment to a sustainable design made her a dream client. Together, we were able to accomplish a truly innovative home.”
DRPILLA combined contemporary architectural design with sustainable design principals at this 8,000-square-foot residence to achieve the first LEED® for Homes Gold certification in Suffolk County, NY. Special consideration was given to site sustainability, water efficiency and energy-efficient construction. The combined building systems of the private residence create a 44 percent more efficient building than the International Energy Conservation Code standards for a home of the same size and demands.
CLIENT
Confidential
LOCATION
Sag Harbor, NY
SERVICES
Structural Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering
Site / Civil Engineering
CERTIFICATION
LEED® Gold
COMPLETION
2015
COST
$16 million
Combining High Performance with Design Excellence
DRPILLA embraced sustainability as a key element of this project long before LEED became the industry standard. The site design limits irrigation demands by reducing conventional turf, integrating indigenous and drought tolerant plantings, and utilizing a harvested rainwater system for irrigation. The building design offers shading on all sides by balcony overhangs and roof projections to limit heat gains. The design also utilizes FSC wood products, automated day lighting systems, and automated HVAC sensors.
Implementing Renewable Energy Systems to Maximize Energy Efficiency
Our modern design includes a flat roof, maximizing the area (2,000-sf) available for the placement of Photo Voltaic (PV) roof panels. The 10-KW rooftop system generates electric power by using solar cells to convert energy from the sun into electricity. The pool is also heated completely by the solar heating system. Water is pumped through a filter and then through the solar collectors, where it is heated before it is returned to the pool.
Implementing Renewable Energy Systems to Maximize Energy Efficiency
Our modern design includes a flat roof, maximizing the area (2,000-sf) available for the placement of Photo Voltaic (PV) roof panels. The 10-KW rooftop system generates electric power by using solar cells to convert energy from the sun into electricity. The pool is also heated completely by the solar heating system. Water is pumped through a filter and then through the solar collectors, where it is heated before it is returned to the pool.
Innovative System Design for Optimal Heating and Cooling
The residence has an open-loop heating and cooling system which uses well or surface body water as the heat exchange fluid that circulates directly through a geothermal heat pump system. By harvesting the geothermal energy, a ground source heat pump heats the water for radiant heat, while providing cool air to be distributed throughout the house. This allows the system to reach fairly high efficiencies (300%-600%) on the coldest of winter nights, compared to 175%-250% for air-source heat pumps on cool days.
