Summary
To implement an eco-conscious renovation on a 1961 Warren Weber designed Mid-Century home. Our plan is to remodel the home in such a way as to remove it for the grid and make it viable for the next 50 years. Working with designers, architects, sustainability professionals, landscape architects, and professional installers, the goal of the project is to bring the home up to date with the latest in sustainable design, energy efficiency and green technology.
Story
The house was designed by Warren Weber, a renowned Northwest architect in 1961 and built for a doctor relocating to Portland from California. Its original design was, considering the era, Palm Springs Modern. It is a 3400 sq. ft. single story home located in Lorene Park, a popular neighborhood in the 1950s & 1960s as a suburban enclave within the city of Portland.
Our neighborhood consists of families as well as older people in their retirement. We feel the demographic to be important because we live in an area that a wide variety of people can relate to, both in location and economics.
Our family’s demographic is also important, we are a family of five with three children, ages 6 & 8 years old. Burk Jackson is a photographer and marketing specialist working in the commercial and advertising industries. Tiffany Rogers is a stay at home mom and substitute teacher at Cedarwood Waldorf, where the children attend.
Keys to Success
The crucial aspects of such a renovation will be the environmental benefits combined with the usability of such technologies. Green technology has come to the forefront of new construction in the last few years. Our goal is to show homeowners that the reality of such technologies in their own homes is within the scope of possibility.
Mission
With the popularity of ecological building, Portland stands in a unique environment. With our urban growth boundaries, with have minimized sprawl and have continued to renovate older homes to work for us know. But what about the future? How will communities adapt to the changing treads in green renovation? We stand before the Nation as a leader in technology; it’s time to demonstrate that technology in practice.
Warren Weber built the house in 1961 for a doctor relocating from Southern California. It was progressive and unique for the time period and has maintained its beauty and originality throughout time. The house has historical roots and has been iconic for 48 years.
Our goal is to continue its significance for another 50 years by bringing it into the future via a sustainable renovation. Our goal is to initiate a “green” remodel of the home to feature new technologies and practices in the marketplace today. With the innovation of new technologies, the time has come to display the usability and thoughtfulness of such technologies in the modern marketplace and show, by example, that residential sustainability is both achievable and valuable.
Vendor Benefits
For a vendor benefit aspect, the stories to be incorporated are numerous.
We are currently in discussions with Dwell Magazine to possibly feature the house renovations.
We are also discussing placement of the house for it’s 50th Anniversary on the Street of Eames tour in 2011
Stories
We believe there are many stories and angles to the promotion of the project for vendors and contributors.
How does a family of five, reduce their carbon footprint, maintain their lifestyle and help educate the their community while doing and environmentally conscience renovation?
To maintain architectural integrity of the property while integrating materials and processes that reduces its environmental impact.
How to maintain a sense of community and the ability to entertain in a house that has outstanding design and eco-conscious features.
How to effectively renovate a home that will effectively work for a family of five and minimize it’s carbon footprint.
To showcase the innovation of modern construction and remodeling practices and how they can be implemented effectively in a variety of situations.
To exemplify the practices of sustainability in a real life situation and how it’s practices can work in a residential remodel situation.
Scope of Work
Water reuse/reclamation – to initiate a method of both capturing rainwater from the 3400 sq ft roof and reusing grey water to minimize impact by storing rain cisterns underground and re-allocating grey water for use in the yard and garden. Rainwater can also be distributed through the house for use in the system once filtration has occurred.
Solar – to show implementation of solar energy in a residential application to generate residential power and how it’s uses can be diversified.
Bathrooms – to update and bring into compliance with new ideals about water use and re-use
Kitchen – To reorganize and optimize for a family of five living and entertaining in their community
Exterior wood veneers – to weatherize the dwelling and recycle discarded materials to involve more natural elements
Butterfly roof (backyard/courtyard) – to provide shade and 3-season usability of the outdoor spaces
Pool surface/equipment – to investigate how a pool can be incorporated and it’s existence maximized in an environmental fashion (as water storage/heat dump for solar/etc). The application of a black pool bottom to absorb heat is one such possibility.
Outdoor kitchen – to provide outdoor living and entertaining in order to foster community and facilitate outdoor usability
Concrete – to demonstrate the environmental qualities of new types of concrete and it’s functionality in a residential setting
Landscaping – to provide sustainable yet practical environmental options for play and entertaining, including the growing of food in different areas of the yard. To implement grey water use for yard and garden maintenance.
Vegetable Gardening – through the placement and design of vegetable gardens both on the west face of the house and in the backyard, food can be grown and organic waste can be processed into compost for such gardens.
Yard storage – Practical storage with possible office/studio upstairs that is self-contained & off the grid
Courtyard – to maximize outdoor experience and make all available space usable for three season entertaining and community-building
Fireplace modification – to incorporate living room fireplace to the outside courtyard to expand living space and bring “living room” features to the outdoors.
Partner Opportunities
Working with local, municipal, state and federal agencies to help finance and back the project. Potential include:
Energy Trust of Oregon
Office of Sustainable Development
EcoTrust
USGBC
Solar World
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
ENERGY STAR
Promotional Materials
Multi-media – both videos and still images will be created for both documentation of the project as well as for promotional use for the collaborative partners
Website – we’ll be creating and maintaining an on-going blog discussing the project, it’s goals, and all the aspects of the coordination and implementation of the renovation
Marketing materials – a wide variety of materials are to be produced encompassing the project and it’s exposure to showcase the partner contributions and highlight the work in the renovation
Events – we plan on hosting a variety of events to showcase the project and it’s partners, both from an educational and entertainment point of view
Education – we anticipate an ongoing community education project throughout the renovation to showcase the process and it’s implementation in a residential project. School, community organizations, business leaders, and others will be invited to observe and participate in the process of the renovation.
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