The home’s footprint is rectangular and oriented so the long sides face north and south. Windows are concentrated on these sides to avoid the intense solar radiation that comes from the west. All of the Andersen 100 Series windows are shaded by deep eaves and distributed on different sides of the home to bring in reflected light from multiple directions along with cross breezes. Openings are concentrated in the gathering spaces but not overdone nor excessive. They are located on the northern, eastern, and southern sides of the home where they bring light and views into the open concept dining room, living room, and kitchen as well as the adjacent deck and screened-in porch.
The porch is positioned to catch the prevailing breezes from the Gulf of Mexico to the southeast. The deck is on the north side where it has views of the valley yet is well shaded by the roof, which is “Galvalume” low-heat-absorbing metal to reduce solar heat gain.
The bedrooms and bathrooms are on the western end of the house where exposure to the hot afternoon sun is minimized by having fewer windows. These spaces are reached by a corridor that’s wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair, if ever needed.
Judicious sizing was one way the architects managed the cost of the build. Barley emphasized the care they took to get the sizing of spaces like corridors just right. He calls it taking the “fat out of a house,” which they do by placing the furniture into plans to make sure there’s enough room, but not too much room, in circulation spaces. Of course, getting the size right doesn't just cut down on the upfront costs, it also cuts down on the long-term costs of energy, taxes, and insurance.
Similarly, they thought carefully about materials selection, opting for durable materials that are equipped for the climate and will last for many years. They chose Andersen 100 Series windows, which are comparable in price to vinyl windows but much more thermally stable and rot resistant. They chose a metal roof and fiber cement siding because both are non-combustible. While some of these materials have higher upfront costs, their performance, minimal maintenance requirements, and longevity make them cost effective in the long run.
In the open concept living room, a large window combination made of picture and single-hung windows from the Andersen 100 Series product line makes the most of the breezes and views. Photo courtesy of Barley | Pfeiffer Architecture.
Another way cost will be managed long term is through the solar array installed on the garage. This is expected to generate more than enough energy to power the home. While the architects would not rely on renewable energy alone to make the project “climate-responsive,” getting to net zero was an important goal of the homeowners. And the passive design principles integrated enable the home to remain comfortable and resilient in the aftermath of a likely natural disaster — even if the power were to go out.