through design

Case Study: The Ecologist’s HousE

The Ecologist’s House serves as an example of design and construction responsive to and appropriate for the climate, energy, and pollution issues we face. Located in Fredenberg Township, MN — a 25 minute drive from downtown Duluth — the 80 acre site is a former tree farm. The finished home is a riff on the iconic farmhouse: the inherent efficiency of its classic shape is bolstered by the addition of a solar greenhouse to the south.  

Most people cannot afford to build a new, environmentally sensitive home that produces as much energy as it uses, while those who have the resources to build new custom homes do not often focus on ecological principles or practice. If we want to address climate change with single family homes, they should work like this one does. Although not presently designing custom homes, through design is available for consultation and technical assistance on residential projects.

CLIENT PRIORITIES

The clients, two ecologists working regionally on conservation and wildlife ecology, are restoring the site as a farmstead with an orchard. They deal with climate change every day at work, and wanted their home to set an environmentally-sound example. They're thinking generationally — for their child and for the future.

The clients’s goals are in perfect alignment with “planetary needs:”

1. An ecological focus to all aspects of the project.

2. A home that is small, flexible, comfortable, efficient, enduring, and affordable.

3. Renewable energy system for zero net energy potential.

PROCESS

The clients wanted views of the bog to the north, but not at the expense of maximizing efficiency. They also requested a solar greenhouse. The “liability” of a northern exposure thus became a benefit: without sacrificing the best views, the greenhouse could be added to the south to grow plants and provide passive solar heating. 

The iconic farmhouse shape accommodated adaptations to increase efficiency, including super-insulated walls and a steep gable roof to allow for solar panels. The simple compact form underwent an exhaustive process of energy modeling and analysis to refine the design and systems needed to meet the goal of a zero net energy home.

We broke with tradition to design the greenhouse, creating a space suited both to growing food and to collecting heat that could be transferred to the house. The book The Homeowner's Complete Handbook for Add-On Solar Greenhouses & Sunspaces: Planning, Design, Construction by Andrew Shapiro was invaluable during this design process.

The north walls boast a series of tall, narrow windows to capture views of the bog, giving the north side of the building a traditional look and maintaining an efficient enclosure. From one angle the house looks traditional; from the other side, not so much!

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Salvaged elements from the old family barn: barn doors fashioned into the stair wall and built-in cabinets; ox yoke transformed into a sculptural ceiling fixture that separates living and dining areas

• Pine flooring milled from trees harvested on-site

• Super-insulated enclosure and wood stove provide resiliency if power is lost, keeping the house cozy, comfortable and functional even without electricity.

• Attached greenhouse captures solar energy, helping heat the house in spring and fall, and allows for an extended indoor growing season without supplemental heat

• 6.6 kW PV system and occupants’ behavior result in “net positive” energy: more electricity produced than used each year