This small enclave of live/work units is located in the heart of Skagit County, with all of the healthy home and energy efficiency features you’d expect in a Martha Rose Construction project. Despite being a novel idea when first proposed, this project has been a good reminder that reviving the old way of “living above the shop” has a myriad of benefits.

Along a few blocks on Bagley Ave. N there are three new Built Green 5-Star certified homes designed with energy efficiency in mind, as well as homeowner comfort. All of Dwell’s projects include triple-pane windows, double 2x4 walls, and heat recovery ventilators (HRVs).

Like many condo remodels, the builder of this 4-Star project faced many HOA hurdles. Building envelope upgrades, like adding insulation or installing new windows, were off the table, but the builder was still able to reduce the unit’s overall energy consumption by over 30%.