Sustainable Family Home

Sustainable Family Home
Rear of the home showing the Solar PV
Winner of the 2013 "All In the Family" Tahoe Quarterly Legacy Award (read article), this home is not only cozy and family oriented, but also incorporates many sustainable features.

RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS:
• SOLAR PV: 3.5kW photovoltaic array (20)-175 Watt panels
• SOLAR THERMAL: (3)Heliodyne Flat Plate collectors w/238 gallon, dual-stage storage tank and 200 kBTU/HR backup boiler.
• GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP: (9)-300ft deep wells with dual pumps providing both heating and cooling.
• PASSIVE SOLAR: 9% South Glazing Ratio, <3% at East & West
• Thermal Mass: Interior stonework and 1-1/2" gypcrete floors.

INDOOR AIR QUAILTY/HEALTH INTERIORS.
• Whole-house fan plus (8)-variable speed exhaust fans with occupancy sensors.
• Low VOC Cabinetry, Carpeting, and Finishes, Sealed building envelope to minimize air leakage.

RENEWABLE MATERIALS:
• Reclaimed wood siding and flooring.


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I would be pleased to be a reference for MWA. You have designed two houses that I have been involved with.

The first on lot 137 in Lahontan was a custom house for my wife and me. This house was designed for our needs and to meet the stringent requirements of the Lahontan Design Guidelines. We achieved our program goals, Lahontan Design Review Approval, and a building permit. We sold the lot, building plans and the building permit to a speculative developer who built the house with some modifications.

Last year we purchased a house which was built on spec by a developer. MWA designed that house. We were not “in the market” for a house, but happened to walk through an open house. We fell in love with your design. The house was well sited for views and privacy, very bright inside (an unusual situation in Lahontan), and fit our life style perfectly. Twenty three days later we owned this house. My wife and I are moving to this house and Truckee full time as of November 1st.

I would strongly recommend MWA to anyone designing a house in the Truckee/Tahoe area.


-- Rick Stephens
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