UPDATE: 5 years after our initial Greenbuilt Home rehab (see below), we are embarking on a solar garage, to offset 104% of the energy needed for our family of 5 to live in our home. Stay tuned to the Solar Garage page to follow the journey in July 2017.
Our 102-year old, all-electric LEED-Gold (2018), IL GreenStar pilot home in Oak Park’s Ridgeland Historic District underwent a deconstruction and gut rehab. The project won a 2012 Green Award from the Village of Oak Park and was selected as one of 16 featured homes in the Chicago Tribune/US Green Building Council's inaugural GreenBuilt Home Tour in July 2013 and again in July 2014. The project/site has since been part of the Green Community Connections Living & Learning Tour (2012, 2013), the Sugar Beet Food Coop Edible Garden Tour (2015), the IL Solar Energy Association (ISEA) solar homes tour (2018, 2019), and numerous tours for college-level sustainability courses and other private groups. The project aimed to incorporate green innovations for energy/resource conservation, while preserving the legacy and character of the original Prairie-style, American Four Square home. Designed and built with an eye toward sustainable, practical, healthy living by its family of 5, the home was “GreenBuilt” on a modest urban lot with immediate (walkable) access to public transportation; community resources/retail; and open, public green spaces.
The home utilizes a renewal geothermal energy system for HVAC and domestic hot water. It includes one of the first residential greywater systems in IL, anticipated save 20-30% on indoor water use by recycling water from tubs/showers into toilets. To further conserve energy and water, the home utilizes Energy Star appliances, a magnetic induction cooktop, WaterSense and water efficient plumbing fixtures, high performance windows and insulation (mostly through dense pack cellulose -- essentially recycled newspaper), and LED and high-efficiency lighting. Materials and finishes are reclaimed, recycled, and/or locally-sourced when possible.
From a health standpoint, natural daylighting is maximized with many large windows, transoms, and solar tubes. Indoor air quality is maximized with 0-VOC sealants, varnishes, and paints, and an HRV (heat recovery ventilator) system optimizes heat distribution and refreshes indoor air.
The home’s landscaping includes 95% permeable surfaces; a large rainwater harvesting system and rainbarrels; a rain garden and bioswale; 90% drought-resistant native and edible plantings (including fruit trees and a raspberry patch); and bee, butterfly, and bird-friendly plantings to attract and help restore habitat. The landscape design mediates stormwater on site, addresses LEED’s sustainable sites and water efficiency principles, and meets The Conservation Foundation’s Conservation@Home certification requirements.
