The fall of 2006 saw some impressive changes for JKLA, including the start of construction for our new office space. Even though the business has been growing each year, Joy has been able to be an active mom, primarily because the office has been at home. And not wanting to lose any time with her kids, she and her family made the decision to expand on their property.
Photo gallery - click on the image to see a larger version.
Scott Kuebler, RA, AIA designed the structure and has been responsible for its construction as well. The building is designed to be as sustainable as possible. Below are some key features that might be of interest in this modest 16’x28’ building:
The building was designed and dimensioned to have minimal construction waste.
The windows are Pella Architectural Series, wood sash with double glazing, argon filled, and low-E coating. The southern glazing was limited to reduce solar gain, while the full width of the northern facade is lined with clearstory windows.
The exterior is clad with environmentally friendly (well… compared to vinyl!) Hardi Plank fiber-cement siding, with a factory baked-on finish to reduce/eliminate future maintenance.
The heating system is in-slab hydronic radiant floor heat, with a closed-loop system connected to an on-demand (tankless) water heater. This is a very efficient heating system (92% efficient heat source) that will provide superior comfort allowing the set-point temperature to be reduced from the typical 72 degrees down to 68-70 degrees.
Exterior walls are insulated with Icynene spray-foam insulation. This product not only acts as the insulation, but it is also a true vapor barrier (unlike standard sheet products) and a highly effective air barrier. Air movement through exterior walls contributes 40% to the average heat loss of a building. An effective air barrier can reduce annual heating costs by up to 50% according to the DOE.
In a building designed with such low air infiltration, a Heat Recovery Ventilator will be installed to provide fresh air in excess of the ASHRAE standard of 15cfm/person.
To top everything off, the southern side of the gable roof was installed as an extensive green roof! As far as we can tell, this is the first sloped and residential green roof in Western New York. Our continuing education event was a big success with over 60 people in attendance.
Also, the water that sheds from the roofed areas will be collected in rain barrels and used for irrigation in the surrounding gardens.
We officially moved in the first week of June 2007 but are still working on final touches and trim work. Scott has worked hard to provide us a superior space that allows Joy to be working and be a mom in a really inspiring design space that is environmentally sustainable as well.
Scott is always eager to talk about the unique building systems that have been incorporated into this office and would like to extend an invitation to anyone who is interested in seeing any of these systems installed. In a similar format as last year’s green roof event, we are planning a Permeable Paver installation event in late May or early June. Space for this one will be limited, so be sure to RSVP!
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Exterior walls are insulated with Icynene spray-foam insulation. This product not only acts as the insulation, but it is also a true vapor barrier (unlike standard sheet products) and a highly effective air barrier. Air movement through exterior walls contributes 40% to the average heat loss of a building. An effective air barrier can reduce annual heating costs by up to 50% according to the DOE. 
We officially moved in the first week of June 2007 but are still working on final touches and trim work. Scott has worked hard to provide us a superior space that allows Joy to be working and be a mom in a really inspiring design space that is environmentally sustainable as well.