This gallery contains 7 photos.
Christopher Rose Architects since its inception has promoted sustainable and energy efficiency to it’s clients, so now we are putting our money our money where our mouths are by installing Photovoltaic Solar Panels on the roof of the office. … Continue reading
We are designing a new home for a couple from Charlotte, literally on the top of a mountain in Lansing, North Carolina. You can see Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina from this vantage point. We are using ICF foundation. That stands for insulated concrete forms. This is a cost effective way of providing insulation and formwork for the poured concrete. Our clients were teasing us saying that they hire us and we build their home out of styrofoam. We will be cladding the exterior with stone. The beauty of this system is that you can add the steel reinforcing required to support this retaining wall. Because the of the high winds of the location we have partially depressed the home into the top of the mountain. We are so fortunate to be given such an amazing site to design a home.
View of Retaining wall outside of garage.
ICF foundation at guest rooms.
Incredible view to the South from top of the mountain.
View to the East. Pretty magical.
Close up showing the steel reinforcing near the guest rooms.
View from the entry towards the South at the top of the mountain.
Overall view showing the extent of the basement walk out.
This Earth Day I would like to showcase how our firm has embraced green technology for many years not just when it became popular. These strategies are not only cost effective but energy efficient over the life of the home.
On the large ocean front home we designed at 45 Surfsong these shots show how we incorporated active PV (photo voltaic solar panels) into the roof of this home. Since this home is ocean front and doesn’t have large trees blocking the sunlight, we were able to create enough roof space to generate electricity for approximately 40% of the home through sunlight. A parapet shields the edges of the panels from view from the ground. We recessed some additional panels into the copper roof.
This system cost about the same as nice residential appliance package we have provided solar energy. At present, solar panels are dropping in cost, as with most technology so being green doesn’t necessary raise the cost of a home.
