Ranch Home Renovation in Evanston, IL
Architect Nathan Kipnis Architects, Inc.
By Kate Yoshida
Evanston, IL
Think 1960’s ranch homes are stuck, like tuna casserole, with an image whose time has come and gone? Think again. With the help of Nathan Kipnis, one ranch-home owner turned a mildewy relic into a 21st century beacon. The home, originally 1675 sf, was completely renovated to include 1600 sf of basement space, nearly doubling the living area. The addition of carefully selected architectural and construction elements transformed the home from dank and dark to airy, comfortable, and energy efficient.
The first floor office area can be closed for privacy with pocket doors, or dramatically opened to the living/dining room. The pocket doors, by 3Form are made of a non-toxic polyester resin, Ecoresin, that incorporate 40% post-industrial reclaimed material. Pieces of sliced bamboo are embedded artfully within the translucent panels. Other first floor green amenities are recycled denim soundproofing insulation (partition walls), skylights, transoms, radiant floor heating, a dual-flush toilet and solartubes, and a whole house fan to reduce the need for air-conditioning.
“My favorite place to hang out is the solarium,” says the owner. “I seldom need to use AC or radiant floor heat.” The beloved solarium includes Pella triple glazed doors with a “between the glass” blinds system for summer. In winter, the dark slate floor tiles collect warmth (passive solar gain) via south-facing skylights. In summer, the existing deciduous trees in the yard fully shade the sunroom, helping to keep it cool.
The kitchen has countertop-level windows for daylighting, recycled glass backsplash tiles, and Lyptus cabinets. Lyptus (trademark), a fast-growing hybrid tree, is grown in Brazil and valued for its hardwood characteristics.
The basement was thoroughly insulated with rigid extruded polystyrene foam and rockwool, made from locally sourced, recycled blast furnace slag. The laundry room has built in clothes drying racks.
The home is sided with cement fiberboard, a vinyl/wood alternative that resists fires insects, decay, chipping and peeling. Note to DIYers: cutting produces a fine dust with microscopic silica fibers, so personal protective equipment is necessary.
The owner did not seek certification under any programs. Kipnis comments that the green features are “not tacked on,” and are unique to the site. Attention was paid to ensure that the architectural form and detailing produced an earth-friendly, practical elegance.
Click here to take the Re-Nest tour of this home. Don’t miss the ‘before’ photos that capture this amazing transformation.
Tags: Bamboo flooring, dual-flush toilets, Ecoresin, Energy Efficient, passive solar, Polystyrene Foam, Radiant Floor Heating, reclaimed material, renovation, Rockwool, Skylights, Solartubes, Triple glazed, Whole house fan
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