Multi-Unit Residential Building Converted to Green Single Family: Pearsall Residence

Sunday, January 27th, 2008

Location
1840 N. Leavitt, Chicago, IL 60647 (Map)

Owner
Alex Pearsall

1840 N. Leavitt

1840 N. Leavitt is an existing 100 year old multi-unit residential building being converted to a single family residence with 6,000 sf above grade and 3,000 sf below grade of habitable space, totaling 6 bedrooms and 5 baths. This is another example of the jumbo-sized home that works to counteract its large size with a variety of green measures. The project is seeking Chicago Green Homes and Energy Star certification.

Envelope basics are handled with soy-based foam insulation and triple-pane windows, but the energy approach adds in solar thermal as the primary heating source. Although many green homes in Chicago are using solar thermal for domestic water heating, only a handful are using it for space heat as well. Here, the heat is provided via warmboard radiant floor, an interesting product that serves both as subfloor and radiant heating panel, eliminating the need to pour a lightweight concrete topping slab over the radiant tubing. I’m told this product is popular in Colorado, but there haven’t been a lot of applications in Chicago; readers are invited to comment with their own experiences. Finally, cooling is provided via a geothermal system, which also backs-up the solar thermal heat.

On the materials side, existing structural framing members being removed are being re-milled on site for use as exterior cladding, and numerous other recycled-content or certified-wood products will be used. Central light cores penetrating to the basement address the challenge of providing natural light to most areas of this large home. Outside, a green roof, rain garden, and rainwater cistern help address stormwater management on an existing site with a large amount of impervious area.

Other project team members include general contractor Sutherland Pearsall, HVAC and geothermal contractor TDH Mechanical, and structural engineer Louis Shell Structures.

Tags: certified wood, Chicago Green Homes, cistern, Energy Star, FSC, geothermal, green roof, radiant flooring, rainwater collection, recylced, solar thermal, Soy-based foam insulation, triple pane windows