pill - maharam architects

The goal of this project was to create a house with as little environmental impact as possible while maintaining a high level of design and detail. The house takes its cues from the local rural context expressed in the simple forms of barns and farmhouses. By using state of the art design strategies for the ground source heat pump, in conjunction with high efficiency lighting and appliances, the house has been designed to have a net zero energy use and emit zero carbon emissions. It uses electricity generated on site with its 10KW net-metered wind turbine for all heating, hot water, lighting and appliances. The house maximizes energy efficiency by its orientation and simple massing. It is a super insulated passive solar house with an open plan that allows southern daylight to enter all living spaces. In addition to being 5+ star Energy Star rated and Vermont Builds Greener certified, the house has also received the US Green Building Council’s highest LEED rating of platinum, the first one in Vermont