Case
Study: Capitol Court Home & Studio
Jackson & McElhaney Architects
Project Goals
The main goal was to create an energy-efficient, low-cost home and art studio on an urban Austin infill lot, composed of simple shapes and forms. The concept separates the home into two components: a living, dining, kitchen and main bedroom/bath module; and a guest bedroom/bath, studio and carport module. Sliding pocket doors between the two modules allow privacy as needed. Built adjacent to commercial zoning, the home was designed with solid stone facades on the front to reduce neighborhood noise while opening up the rear yard and interior courtyard/pond for outdoor enjoyment.
Capitol Court Home & Studio
Capitol Court
Austin, Texas |
5-Star |
February 2006 |
not available |
Project Description
This 1,710 square foot home is designed in two components, which are essentially the same size but are offset on the site to allow room for the existing large pecan tree.
The entry is centered in the frosted glass connector that joins the two components, creating a narrow courtyard with a 28-foot long koi pond. The high ceiling and a continuous band of small windows that follow the slope of the roof and ceiling enlarge small room sizes.
Interior walls are capped at 8' to allow natural daylight from all windows to fill the entire envelope. The slatted pine ceiling enhances acoustical properties by allowing openings between each slat into a black-painted truss space. This ceiling technique also allows for concealment of the HVAC ducts and registers, light fixtures, transformers, speakers and PEX plumbing piping.
A major advantage of the two component design is future flexibility. The site, previously two single-family lots, had been zoned as one multi-family lot when purchased for this construction. Each component was carefully positioned so that if future situations demand, the connector could be removed and each unit would respect the single-family setbacks of each original lot. This would allow the buildings to be sold as two separate homes on two lots (after re-zoning). Designs for future build-outs of separate two-bedroom homes were completed and underslab plumbing was roughed-in to accommodate these designs. In addition, the slab-on-grade concrete foundations have been constructed to accommodate buildings up to three stories if desired in the future.
Project Features
| Energy:
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Large, calculated roof overhangs protect windows from direct sunlight at necessary times
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Extensive daylighting with a high band of windows
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Two components of the house can operate independently with separate HVAC units and water heaters
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HVAC unit and ductwork are positioned within the thermal envelope so that any air leakage is in conditioned space
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Insulation is Icynene sprayed foam insulation in walls and roof
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Use of Icynene at roof allows for ‘non-vented’ attic (attic space is within envelope)
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Low-E glazed windows with Solar Heat Gain Coefficient of 0.40
- Galvalume-finished standing-seam metal roofing reflects the heat & cools off quickly once the sun sets
- 13 SEER cooling equipment with non R-22 refrigerant, programmable thermostat, and system designed according to Manual D
- Tankless water heaters with variable flame heating elements are installed for efficiency
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| Materials:
- Pre-engineered roof trusses conserve wood by using small members
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Modular design dictates window sizes to fit within stud spacings to greatly reduce header and cripple material
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Flooring is durable, low VOC, sealed concrete (no stain)
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| Water:
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High efficiency clothes washer and Energy Star dishwasher
- Above-slab PEX (polyethylene) tubing for all water piping distributed through a central manifold system
- 3,000-gallon rainwater collection system for landscape watering
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| Health and Safety:
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Outside air mechanical ventilation system installed as an integral component of HVAC system
- Exhaust fans at stove and all rooms with tub/showers
- Interior wall paints have zero VOC’s
- Icynene insulation has no formaldehyde
- House has carport (no enclosed or connected garage)
- Entire wood-framed structure was treated with sprayed borate solution and slab penetrations sealed with Termimesh termite barrier
- Cabinet boxes, doors and drawers comply with E-1 European emission limits for formaldehyde
- Anti-scald valves installed at all showers and tubs
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| Community:
- Bus stop, shopping, parks and trails are within ¼ mile of property
- House is configured in two components so that it can easily be divided into two separate houses in the future if desired (floor plans have been drawn and underslab plumbing was installed accordingly)
- Foundation is designed and constructed to structurally support up to 3 stories if desired in the future
- Property is an infill lot and is zoned Multi-family which provides for the possibility of more density in the future
- Property abuts neighboring commercial property promoting mixed-use development
|
| Testing/General Results:
C & C Engineering, Inc. performed the required commissioning:
- Blower Door Test: ACH = 0.155 (must be <0.50 ACH)
- Duct Blaster Test: Ductwork located within conditioned space - test not required
- HVAC Sizing: 611 square feet per ton of cooling
Indoor Air Quality:
- Zero-VOC wall paint, no finishing on the wood ceiling, and no flooring materials or adhesives contribute to fresh, clear air in the home
- Mechanical outside-air ventilation continues to keep the fresh air replenished in the tightly sealed envelope created by the Icynene spray foam insulation.
Improved Quality of Life:
Through various means of recycling, reuse and conservation, living in the 5-Star home creates a sense of achievement and becomes a tool for educating others in a day and time where everyone must do their part to contribute to sustainable living. Choosing the urban infill lot also provides a tight knit connection to the community, keeping within walking distance of parks, hike and bike trails, grocery and retail stores, restaurants and other daily destinations. |
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