About the House

Luxury Features & Finishes
Sustainable Design, Systems & Materials
Jim Logan Architects
About the Neighborhood
Floorplans and Elevations



Sustainable Design, Systems & Materials

The sustainable features of this home run deeper than finishes and installed products - the entire design focus was on environmental and personal sustainability. Many houses are marketed on the basis of visible "green" features such as bamboo flooring and wool carpet, but the real environmental impact of a house lies in its energy use and consumption of fossil fuels. A house which is well sealed, well insulated, and which takes advantage of the Sun’s infinitely available natural energy, will burn much less fossil fuel and contribute less to global climate change than a house whose only environmental features are applied finishes.

A truly net-zero home such as this one will continue into the future to pay off its debt to the environment through energy conservation and production in the form of photovoltaic electricity sold back to the municipal power grid.

The City of Boulder's Climate Action Plan looks to reduce the amount of CO2 produced by residential buildings by 15,000 tons per year. Buildings such as this one are the first step towards reaching that goal, as this home is a net energy exporter. That means it contributes more renewable power to the utility company than it consumes from the utility company over the course of any year. 2070 Neher Lane actually does its part and more to help reduce the amount of CO2 in our atmosphere.

Jim Logan Architects has been performing extensive energy research to determine how homes can help reduce CO2 in the atmosphere. In particular, we have been rating CO2 cutting measures on an economic scale, determining which steps produce the greatest impact. Our research has helped us to design more responsibly, and this house is a physical example of our research in action. The following C02 reducing features have been implemented on this building:


Energy Generation
- 10kWh Photovoltaic solar system
- Solar system is connected to the power grid, allowing excess energy produced to be sold back to the utility which should eliminate electricity bills over the course of the year
- Pdf of energy rating information

Heating and Cooling
- Domestic hot water provided by roof mounted solar thermal collectors with tankless boiler back up allow for infinite hot water and greatly reduced cost to you and the planet.
- Direct lines from hot water source to each faucet reduce waste and allow for hot water to reach its destination almost instantly.
- Radiant floor heating powered by a high efficiency gas boiler. Radiant heating maintains thermal comfort with less energy than conventional systems creating the greatest comfort at the lowest cost.
- Evaporative cooling uses 1/3 of the energy of air conditioning and helps maintain humidity in the home.

Windows
- Energy efficient Low-E windows with wood interiors and metal exterior cladding are not only extremely beautiful and durable, but also allow heat energy in and not back out in the winter.
- High-solar-heat-gain-coefficient glass on south exposures allows the winter sun to passively heat the home and reduce heating costs.
- Trellises and roof overhangs designed to prevent excessive heat gain while adding architectural flair.

Walls
- Highly insulated Structural Insulated Panel (SIPS) at exterior walls are more durable and technically effective than typical framing.
- R-40 polyurethane foam roof insulation keeps the home both ultra comfortable and quiet.
- Walls and roof blower-door tested to ensure a tight building envelope to reduce energy and comfort loss.
- Stud wall inside concrete foundation at basement to provide insulation for year-round comfort at the ground level of the home.

Lighting and Appliances
- Windows and skylights designed to facilitate daylighting also create an amazingly bright home, even without electric lighting.
- Fluorescent lighting fixtures are good for the planet and minimize electrical consumption.
- Energy Star appliances also minimize electrical consumption and cost.

Site Considerations
- Infill site takes advantage of existing infrastructure without clearing trees or adding roads.
- Adjacent to public transportation and bike routes to allow for transportation efficiency.
- Existing mature landscaping is not only beautiful, but helps shade the home in the summertime.