Utilization of Existing Infrastructure
House is urban infill built atop what used to be part of the neighbor's garden. Additionally, the house is located seven blocks from downtown Bozeman and close to walking and biking trails.

Preservation of Trees and Existing Vegetation
During construction the trees on the west side of the property were maintained.

Modest Size Design
The Alderson house maximizes usable floor space with an open floor plan. With its modest 2100 square foot design, the house accommodates family needs with three bedrooms and two baths while also serving as a home office for Lyric Architecture and home school for two children.

Orientation for Use of Renewable Energy
The house takes full advantage of passive solar collection with the strategic placement of south facing windows.

Orientation and design for daylighting
Natural lighting illuminates all rooms in the house. Where windows were not feasible, sun tubes were installed to maximize the use of daylight and minimize dependence on electric lighting.

Window Sizing, Location and Shading
Window overhangs were sized to maximize the entrance of winter sunlight while limiting the amount of hot summer sun entering the large south facing windows.

Other
To meet the building restrictions of the property and to eliminate the need for a second floor, a 4' tall loft was built as a storage and play space. More detail on this system is available here.

Structural Framing
Walls were formed using structural insulated panels (SIPs) with an R-25 insulation value from Big Sky Insulations in Belgrade. The plywood was made from fast-growing, farmed aspen trees finished with formaldehyde-free foam. The front deck was constructed from recycled redwood.

Doors
All interior doors are recycled.

Exterior Wall Finishes
The exterior walls were finished with highly durable cement stucco and cedar shingles with linseed oil.

Finish Floor
All flooring throughout the house is made of recycled or sustainable materials including: reclaimed maple from an old school gymnasium, recycled tile salvaged from garage sales, and fast-growing, robust bamboo.

Cabinetry and Trim
Kitchen bases were reclaimed from a remodel job and fitted with new door fronts to complete the kitchen cabinetry.

Packaging Return and Reduction
All cardboard used at the job site was recycled and the wood scraps were used to heat the carpenters' homes.

Sealed Combustion or Power Vented Appliances
The house boasts a high-efficiency power-vented boiler, hot water Buderus radiators and a sealed combustion fireplace.

Reduction of Textiles, Maximized Hard Floor Surfaces
The house completely eliminated the need for synthetic textiles by installing all hard surface flooring.

Bathroom and Kitchen Fans and Dryer Vented to Outside; Tested
All interior fans vent to the outside.

Detached Garage (or attached with "advanced sealing")
Although no garage is currently installed, the future garage will be detached from the main living area.

Building Envelope
The house is consistently and efficiently insulated by R-25 SIP walls, R-48 roofing, and Icynene water-blown foam insulation with a R-value of 3.6/inch.

Mechanical Systems
The house boasts a high-efficiency power-vented boiler, hot water Buderus radiators, and a sealed combustion fireplace.

Water Heating
Water is preheated by Thermal Star solar hot water tubes and held in a pre-heat tank until needed. In the summer, this solar heating is sufficient to warm water for showers, dishes, laundry, and sinks.

Appliances
The house uses various appliances that are labeled by Energy Star or better, including a Bosch dishwasher, a front-loading washer and gas dryer from Frigidaire, and a Conserv European Fridge that uses 1/3 less energy than most energy star models.

Lighting
The home's electricity is generated by a 1.35 KW photovoltaic array designed and installed by Planetary Systems with battery backup to compensate for cloudy days. Additionally, the Alderson house exhibits light colored walls, ceilings and floors and utilizes compact fluorescent bulbs for lighting.

Rainwater collection and reuse
The family plans to install gutters and rain barrels for rainwater collection and reuse as lawn and garden watering in the near future.

Water Efficient Appliances, Equipment and Fixtures
In addition to being energy efficient, both the Bosch Dishwasher and the front-loading Frigidaire washer are also water efficient.

General living space
The house is constructed on a single level with wide hallways and many three foot doors.