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Utilization of Existing Infrastructure
The home was built within a small, rural lakeshore community. The existing roads, utility lines, water and sewer systems were used.
Preservation and Protection of Sensitive Areas
The home is near the lake shoreline, but sited well behind a sloped bank to lake. Springs above the site are carefully protected and directed in to a rock drainage next to house.
Preservation of Trees and Existing Vegetation
All existing trees were protected. New vegetation was planted in a way to blend in with the existing landscape.
Minimal Impact on Site Topography
The house was built on an existing house site. The old home was demolished and the site was slightly enlarged for the new home. Existing driveways were used to access the garage and walkway to porch. The house elevational massing was designed as a one story low roof slope, so not to detract from the views of houses above the site. Very little soil was moved as existing grades were respected in the design.
Modest Size Design
The house is under 1600 sq ft gross and has 12 inch thick walls. It has 2 bedrooms, a small office/guest bedroom, 2 baths with laundry room and 2 car garage. Bath and bedrooms were kept to a minimum size to increase the area of the open living, dining, and kitchen areas.
Orientation for Use of Renewable Energy
There are large, south-facing windows and properly designed overhangs for passive solar heating. The roof slopes toward the south to accommodate future solar equipment.
Orientation and design for daylighting
Many rooms have windows on two or more walls. The interior bathrooms have skylights.
Window Sizing, Location and Shading
The largest windows are on the south and east sides of the home. Minimum windows are on the north and west. All southern window overhangs are sized and angled for summer shading and winter solar access.
Other
The architect worked closely with the builder and building officials in order for them to understand the technologies and techniques incorporated into this home.
More detail on this system is available here. 
Foundation
A frost-protected shallow foundation was poured with the mix containing recycled glass aggregate, flyash concrete, and non-solvent damp proofing. The Faswall insulated concrete forms (ICFs) have a wood waste material content of 85% by volume.
Windows
Pella argon-filled, low emissivity wooden windows were installed.
Exterior Wall Finishes
Fiber cement siding was attached to furring strips screwed onto the ICFs. Low VOC stains were applied on all exterior siding and cedar trims and fascia, as well as to the exposed aggregate slab on grade entry at the porch.
Roof
The "lifetime" painted metal roof has a 40 year warranty. It is made of 28 gauge delta rib steel.
Cabinetry and Trim
The Medite version of formadehyde-free MDF cabinets were installed.
Other
Trex recycled plastic/wood 2x6 decking was used on the outside deck.
Efficient Use of Materials
There was minimal waste of site concrete and gravel due to careful calculations of amounts needed.
Deconstruction
Brick from the demolished house was used for the hearth of the new home. It was the second time that brick was reused.
Other
All wood waste from both the old home and new construction was saved for the wood burning stove.
Products with Minimal Off-Gas
The Faswall ICF walls do not offgas.
Water-Based Finishes
All interior and exterior wood was finished in natural oils and low VOC stains. The gypsum wall board was painted with low VOC paint. The edges of the cement siding were treated with a low VOC sealant.
Sealed Combustion or Power Vented Appliances
The wood burning stove was properly installed, vented, and inspected for compliance.
Reduction of Textiles, Maximized Hard Floor Surfaces
The main living areas have a floating floor system of pre-finished birch hardwood veneer, with a laminated soft wood core. Linoleum was installed in the bathrooms and laundry. Wool carpets were put only in the bedrooms.
Bathroom and Kitchen Fans and Dryer Vented to Outside; Tested
All exhaust fans and ventilation systems were tested. And only metal ducting used, rather than plastics, due to indoor air and environmental concerns.
Water Management for Foundation, Attic and Walls
The ICF wall and foundation system does not wick water. Consequently, no vapor barrier needed, which keeps the indoor air healthier. In contrast to tightly sealed wall systems, the wood-concrete shell and webs in this structure allow a very slow air exchange, which keeps the wall dry. Condensation is prevented, eliminating the conditions for mold growth and "sick-building syndrome". This breathing ability also allows the concrete fill to cure faster and more completely as the hydration moisture can evaporate through the whole wall system and not just through the top as in the foam systems.
Even if water infiltration should occur, such as from roof or window leaks, there will be no mildew or fungus buildup because the concrete in the walls is inert. The spaces between the wood fibers would allow the water to work its way down to the concrete footing and pass out the wall, thus not "trapping" moisture. According to the architect on this project, building science is now proving that wall systems and materials that breathe and allow vapor to move through them are longer lasting and healthier enclosures because moisture decay and mold are not problems.
Detached Garage (or attached with "advanced sealing")
The insulated concrete form (ICF) wall between the garage and house minimizes air exchange between the two structures. The insulated door between house and garage seals tightly with vinyl threshold and gaskets.
Duct and Furnace Cleaning Prior to Occupancy
Ventilation ducts were cleaned prior to occupancy.
Building Envelope
The house was designed and built to need a minimum of nonrenewable energy input. The ICF walls have an R-25 value; their concrete fill provides the high thermal mass necessary to optimize passive solar gain and reduce heat loss due to wind and cold. The ICFs also serve as window and door headers. In addition, no wall plates are needed in ICF walls, as they are integrated with the foundation.
The roof structure was pre-engineered with energy heel trusses at the bedrooms with R-49 fiberglass batts. In the vaulted space above the ceiling are 14" I-joists with fiberglass batts rated to R-38 and a 6 mil vapor barrier. The roof is supported by 2x6 plates anchor-bolted to cells of the ICF walls. The roof to wall plate junction is sealed with foam, similar to a normal floor structure on a concrete stem wall.
The low home profile, insulative windows, covered entryway, attached northside garage, and optimal use of the site and trees to help protect the home from the elements contribute to its energy efficiency.
Mechanical Systems
An EPA certified wood burning stove helps heat the main living areas of the home. There is also an electric furnace with a multi-zone thermostat system for optimal efficiency and baseboard heaters for individual room back up heat. A whole house heat recovery ventilation system recovers 90% of the energy from waste bath and laundry water and uses that to warm fresh air.
Water Heating
The hot water heater is within 20 feet of all uses; intake and outflow pipes are insulated.
Lighting
High efficiency lights and fixtures were installed. Light color finishes on the walls helps the interior make the most of both artificial and sun light.
Erosion and Debris Control Plan (including maintenance of control devices)
Straw bale erosion barriers filtered runoff and controlled erosion prior to landcaping.
Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Stormwater
Earth swales and rock basin hold stormwater on site.
Wellhead Protection
The spring head above the house is protected by a fenced enclosure.
Single Stabilized Construction Entrance (established and maintained)
The existing driveway was used.
Site Covered and Stabilized at Construction Completion
Native vegetation was planted to blend in with the older native growth.
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