This home and design studio was designed by Lance Enyart, AIA and Larry Enyart, FAIA of LEA Architects utilizing both passive and active sustainable green building strategies. Its alpine modern architecture integrates into the natural hillside of the site.

The simple architectural form is articulated with an honest expression of natural materials including sustainably harvested thermally treated wood decking, ceilings and siding. Natural daylighting reduces the need for artificial lighting, all of which is high-efficiency LED.

This clean style also leads to a reduced use of materials, with corresponding embodied energy, as highlighted in this staircase. The installation of zoned HVAC systems allows for the entire lower level to be closed off when not in use, reducing energy consumption.

Sustainable building starts at the beginning of construction with the reduction of site impacts through means such as installing construction fencing to maintain an impact boundary and protect trees. Over 95% of the trees on this site were preserved.

This project implemented Low Impact Development (LID) strategies such as installing wattles during construction to prevent erosion, and the addition of wood chips to bare soil for the same purpose.

Locations within Flagstaff and Coconino County can have elevated levels of radon, a gas that causes lung cancer. For that reason, the Sustainable Building Program recommends radon resistant construction, like that installed on this project.

For the passive radon ventilation system, this perforated pipe was placed in the cinders under the slab. The cinders were then topped with an impermeable barrier, preventing radon from entering the home.

Great attention was given to moisture management on this project. The bottom courses of block were painted with an impermeable treatment and dimple board was installed to facilitate water movement to the french drain system. Water management is key to the durability of a building.

This project utilized several types of insulation that were strategically located to capitalize on their strengths. Spray foam on the underside of the roof decking keeps all ducting and mechanicals in conditioned space, as well as seals any openings. It also covers the top chord of the truss, preventing thermal bridging (the transfer of heat through building materials).

Blown-in cellulose insulation has superior sound-dampening qualities and is made from reclaimed waste paper. It has less than zero carbon impact, because it is a means of sequestering carbon in the building, offsetting more carbon than its manufacture and installation create.

The walls of the home were built with ground-face block that was manufactured in Phoenix. The cells of the block were filled with Core-Fill 500 insulation and the interior of the walls were insulated with a high density, high R-value rigid insulation.

Reducing construction waste is a great carbon reduction strategy due to the embodied carbon of the wasted material. Segregating waste allows it to be utilized for other purposes. This waste block was diverted through the City of Flagstaff's landfill program to be used for alternative daily cover for landfill operations.

Reducing operational energy of the building through high efficiency mechanicals is another strategy for reducing carbon impacts. This home has a 96% efficient furnace, above the City of Flagstaff's code that requires 90% efficiency.

Water heating utilizes about 18% of the energy used in a home. This Energy Star certified, on-demand unit is the highest efficiency on the market.

Operable doors on the north side of the home work well for passive cooling, and the overhangs on the upper and lower decks provide shade.

The house is designed with a continuous south facing standing seam metal roof to accept a future Solar PV system as a source of onsite renewable energy.

Rainwater is harvested from 65% of the roof and captured in this 180 gallon cistern for use in irrigation. Minimal water is needed for irrigation as the landscaping is native. The roofing and these accents are made of Cor-ten steel that is 70% recycled metal. Recycled materials have a fraction of the carbon impact their virgin material counterparts do.

The home has low-flow fixtures to reduce water usage, and this beautiful bathtub that allows for smaller volume baths. Reducing water usage in the home is another strategy for reducing carbon impacts, as it takes energy to collect, treat and distribute water.

Indoor air quality was also a consideration, and low or zero VOC (volatile organic compound) paints, sealants and coatings were used on the interior. VOCs can also be an issue for outdoor air quality, due to their potential to react with other compounds in the air to produce ozone, an air pollutant. Dunn Edwards paints, like those used here, have a RAVOC rating that takes this into consideration.

Smart systems for lighting and heating were installed in this home. Remote operation can allow the homeowners to heat, cool and light the home only as necessary.

A nice finish touch is the outdoor chairs made of reclaimed material!