Designed for the HBA Tour of Homes in Oregon, theSAGE is a demonstration project that hits all the right green notes.
Built on an infill lot, the moderately sized 1,447-square-foot home is an example of the use of sustainable approaches that are easily achievable.
The designers strategically oriented the home to provide privacy from neighbors and to gain maximum natural light. They also used such strategies as double 2x4 walls, spray foam insulation, high-efficiency windows, solar water heating, and a 2.1-kilowatt photovoltaic system. Rainwater collection, low-flow faucets, and dual-flush toilets ensure that the house will use water efficiently, while low-VOC paints, a heat recovery ventilator, and passive ventilation will provide the house with healthy indoor air.
The general contractor built the home with responsible practices such as advanced framing techniques and proper solar orientation, but the material selection and handling process adhered to strict green principles as well. Arbor South chose sustainable materials such as cork, recycled paper and fly-ash concrete, and FSC-certified wood, but the firm also minimized waste generation and used reclaimed materials for siding and flooring.
Earning 110 LEED points—enough to qualify for Platinum status—the home has earned the distinction of being the highest-scoring LEED home west of the Rockies.
