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Lochwood-Lozier Northwest Idea House

Posted on Feb 28, 2022 in:
  • Case Studies

In partnership with 425 Magazine, Lochwood-Lozier’s team set out to build the 2021 Northwest Idea House to showcase innovation in technology, sustainable materials, appliances, furnishings, lighting, and more, while also focusing on protecting and preserving the wetlands that surround the home.

Vital Stats

Section

Points

Location: Woodinville
Star Level: 5-Star
Checklist: 2018 Single Family/Townhome
Verifier: Evergreen Certified
Site and Water 189
Energy Efficiency 188
Health and Indoor Air Quality 136
Material Efficiency 128
  Total Score 665

The project has a five-foot setback from a wetland ecosystem, creating connectivity to a landscape with plenty of native wildlife and vegetation. Throughout construction, the project team observed Herons (Great Blue & Grey), beavers, Columbian Black-tailed deer, dragonflies, pacific tree frogs, American bullfrogs, and many other creatures in the backyard.

Lochwood-Lozier Northwest Idea House exterior

From the street view, the modern and trendy farmhouse-style home stands out from other more traditional houses in the neighborhood. Amidst the isolation that the pandemic has brought about, many of society’s “normal” activities were constrained to their residences and made virtual.  As a result, this project sought to integrate some of those activities into the space itself. The design features a “Zoom Room” for an unbeatable work-from-home setting with a stunning view of the backyard.  Outside of the workday, the residents can enjoy a variety of in-home activities: an entertainment/theater room complete with a wet bar and beverage fridge; a music room with decorative sound attenuation tiles; an exercise room with a sauna and steam shower nearby and is equipped with ventilation systems that filter and pre-heat fresh air into the entire home.

Throughout the early stages of construction, Lochwood-Lozier explored different iterations of building components and systems to achieve significant energy savings to target Built Green 5-Star’s required 30% energy savings or greater (as compared to code).  The combination of a ducted heat pump system, ceiling cassette mini-split heads, in-floor hydronic radiant heating, balanced ventilation system, and humidity sensor exhaust fans allows for the home to remain comfortable and energy efficient.  The intentional placement of the mechanical systems keeps them in the background while bringing the interior finishes and outdoor views at the foreground.  A 5.6 kW solar photovoltaic system was installed at the southeast and southwest sides of the roof to offset some of the energy consumption of these mechanical systems, the EV chargers, and luxurious amenities.

Lochwood-Lozier Northwest Idea House exterior back
Lochwood-Lozier Northwest Idea House front door
Lochwood-Lozier Northwest Idea House dining area
 

The three-bedroom, two bath house is meant to allow the occupants to age in place. The first floor has a kitchen, main living space, a bedroom and bathroom, and ADA-compliant doorways.

Overall, this home is a comfortable, clean, net positive building, allowing the homeowners to be happy, healthy, and confident in the knowledge that their home is serving their needs, meets a high standard of excellence, and is protecting the environment in the process.

To monitor the energy consumption and usage of the home, the project incorporated a Brilliant Smart Home System that integrates an audio/video intercom, lighting, HVAC controls, and security cameras along with an EcoBee Smart Thermostat.  Innovative features like motorized touch-sensor cabinet doors, Alexa-enabled kitchen faucets, touchscreen wine and coffee dispensers, switchable glass windows in front of the bathtub for privacy, a bidet in the primary bathroom, lights tubes in the primary closet, and an operable skylight also makes this home hard to leave!  Many of these technological elements will also allow for its residents to age in place and ensure this is their forever home. Ultimately, the 2021 Northwest Idea House shows that high-performance and innovation is achievable in a large, luxury home with intentional design, details, and execution.

Lochwood-Lozier Northwest Idea House bedroom
Lochwood-Lozier Northwest Idea House family room
 

Built Green Highlights

Site and Water

  • Over 50pts dedicated to lot design and protecting the site’s natural features and processes on-site:
    • Natural resources inventory and third-party review of the site development plan for critical areas and habitat protection
    • 70% of site left undisturbed
    • 75% of trees retained on lot
    • Retaining native vegetation
  • Low flow Brizo plumbing fixtures

Energy Efficiency

  • 38% more efficient than code
  • AeroBarrier installed to achieve a blower door score under 2.5 ACH50
  • Panasonic balanced ventilation system installed
  • Combination of ducted and ductless mini-splits and in-floor radiant heating
  • 5.78 kW solar PV system
  • EV chargers installed
  • Collapsible indoor drying rack installed with humidity sensor exhaust fan

Health and Indoor Air Quality

  • Multiple moisture management strategies including rainscreen under siding, dimple drainage mat at foundation walls, and moisture meter pre-drywall and flooring
  • GreenGuard Gold & SCS certified insulation products
  • Low or no VOC/toxic interior products (paints, caulks, adhesives, etc.)
  • Central vacuum

Materials Efficiency

  • Over ten regional materials used throughout the project
  • Third-party certified sustainably harvested engineered hardwood flooring (FSC), dimensional lumber and beams (SFI Certified Sourcing)
  • Shou sugi ban siding
  • Fiberglass windows
  • No-Added Formaldehyde millwork
  • Brilliant smart technology system (with audio/video intercom)

Lochwood-Lozier Northwest Idea House kitchen

Media Recognition

425 Magazine 2021 Northwest Idea House
King 5’s Evening

 

Exterior front photos by Michael Walmsley. All other photos by Cory Holland with Clarity Northwest Photography.

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