design details
We fully understand the decision to build a new home is a long-term financial investment not to be taken lightly. While we take aesthetics seriously, a lot of work goes into the background details which lay the framework for our designs. We research “Building Science” to develop wall and floor assemblies with conventional materials to achieve higher performance than conventional construction. We specify materials and components to create durable, low maintenance homes, respecting their geographical context. We balance interior beauty with logical details to ensure efficient mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. So if you find yourself intrigued by our house plans, dive deeper into their details below.
Building Shell: What shields you from the elements
The building shell consists of all of the exterior walls, the roof, and the foundation of the home. It is arguably one of the most important pieces of the home as it directly controls the home’s longevity and interior comfort. All of our house plans are designed with the following building shell details:
Foundation Walls and Basement Floor:
12 inch thick smooth concrete foundation walls with 2” of rigid EPS insulation on the exterior side and 3” of rigid insulation on the interior side
4 inches rigid EPS insulation is placed beneath the basement floor to reduce the cold basement floor feel
Intentional foundation wall layout to reduce material waste and increase construction efficiencies
R-30 Thermal Performance for Foundation Walls
R-24 Thermal Performance for Basement Floor
Exterior Walls:
2x6 Wood Structural Framing
R-21 Mineral Wool or Wood Fiber Insulation
Huber Engineering Zip Sheathing and Rainscreen Systems [integrated air + weather barrier]
[Optional 2” Continuous Mineral Wool Board or Wood Fiber Board Insulation on exterior side. This upgrade will increase construction cost but will reduce your monthly utility bill.]
R-21 Thermal Performance Standard | R-29 Thermal Performance Optional Upgrade
Roof System:
Pre-engineered Roof Trusses with simple rooflines to avoid unnecessary complex construction details
Huber Engineering Zip Sheathing System [integrated air + weather barrier]
Air-sealing between the attic and living spaces via “Smart” Vapor Barrier
Attic ventilation beneath the sheathing to eliminate the risk of moisture buildup and ensure a durable roof.
Standing-seam Metal Roof [40-year warranty with easy integration of rooftop solar panels]
Minimum R-49 Blown-In Insulation Thermal Performance [additional insulation may be required for your location]
Exterior Doors and Windows:
Insulated Fiberglass or Steel Exterior Doors with low-e coated double-pan glass
Fiberglass or Wood Windows with with low-e coated double-pan glass
Ample natural lighting to soften the indoor environment
Interior Details: The finer details which create the bright, comfortable environment
Our house designs are curated to enhance your life in the background. Our efficient, thoughtful layouts invite you to create a home that is uniquely your own. We strive to use low volatile organic compounds (VOC) materials to ensure long-term health safety and sustainability. All of our house plans are designed with the following interior details:
Ample exterior window placement to flood rooms in natural light
Thoughtful window placement to create cross ventilation in each living space
Stiff floor framing [via engineered wood trusses] to reduce “floor bounce“
Engineered hardwood flooring [zero VOC finish]
Tile bathroom flooring at the second floor [if applicable]
Natural rubber linoleum sheet flooring in laundry room
Painted drywall at walls and ceilings [Zero VOC paints]
Painted poplar trim and baseboards [where applicable]
Solid-core, painted doors: flush or Shaker style
Ikea “Sektion” Kitchen Cabinetry [25 year warranty]
Natural soapstone countertops | Low-Resin quartz countertops
Ikea “PAX” Storage Solution with a magnitude of useful storage solutions
Interior Comfort: The technical systems that keep your home comfortable
Modern, air-tight construction practices have changed the way we heat and cool our homes. Our homes require mechanical fresh air systems to bring in fresh air from outside, then heat it up or cool it down, and circulate it through the house. This continuous fresh air creates a healthy and comfortable indoor environment. Additionally, electric water heating and whole home water filter are utilized to bring clean water throughout the home. The all electric building systems eliminate carbon monoxide creation within the home for a healthier indoor environment. All of our house plans are designed with the following details:
Fresh Air Ventilation System:
Filtered, pre-conditioned fresh air supplied to the home
Reliable, low-maintenance heat-recovery ventilation (HRV) or energy-recovery (ERV) system
Minimum 80% energy-recovery performance
Energy Efficient Heating & Cooling System:
Whole home ducted heat pump system
Warm air in the winter and cool air in the summer from one system
All electric system to eliminate fossil fuel consumption in the home
Optional upgrade to add Solar PV Panels to the roof and Backup Battery to add resiliency to your systems
Plumbing System:
Electric Water Heating (Optional heat pump water heater)
Low-flow water fixtures to reduce water usage
Copper hot and cold water supply lines to reduce contact with plastic piping and increase the longevity of the plumbing system.
Whole house water filter at initial water inlet point
