A model home for the Historic Chicago Bungalow Association’s (HCBA) Greener Homes For Belmont-Cragin program. During the construction process, the home was used as a learning lab, instructing residents on techniques for restoring windows, insulation and air sealing, and landscaping.

Nearly every energy conservation measure possible has been applied in this green home in order to reach the zero energy goal. The remaining heating and cooling are provided by a geothermal system. The project has received city approval and is seeking state approval for a greywater and rainwater harvesting system that will be used both for toilet flushing and irrigation. The inverted roof visible in the rendering is designed for rainwater collection, but also cleverly hides the solar hot water and solar electric panels that round out the energy approach. This is a nice example of a design statement and two different performance goals all working in tandem.

The home is seeking Chicago Green Homes certification, starting with a variety of energy-efficiency strategies. The existing walls will be insulated with soy-based spray foam insulation, and a geothermal system will provide heating and cooling. As in many green homes, clerestory windows at the top of a central light and air shaft open to provide natural ventilation. Here, though, the windows will open and close automatically in response to a temperature sensor. Similarly, window shades will raise and lower automatically in response to daylight. These features and more will be controlled by a computer-based building automation system, typically only seen in commercial buildings.

Location
6001 N. Menard, Chicago, IL 60646  Map
Owner
Private Residence
Architect
Mark A. Miller
The Matson Residence is a new 3,600 sf, 2-story plus basement single family home with an unusually naturalistic site backing up to the Chicago River. The project will be Energy Star rated and is an example of homeowners choosing an energy-efficient and green home because of [...]

Location
2652 W. Walton, Chicago, IL 60622  Map
Owner
Grun Development
Architect
Kasia Hochberg
This is a series of three prototypical single-family homes at 2652, 2656, and 2658 W. Walton St. Each home is two stories with a basement, is approximately 4,000 sf, and is Energy Star rated. The project very much focuses on the fundamentals of energy conservation, while throwing [...]

Location
3339 N. Leavitt, Chicago, IL 60618  Map
Owner
Novak Construction and Development
Architect
IDEA
3339 N. Leavitt is a 4,700 sf, three-story plus basement single-family home. This project falls into the emerging class of quite large homes, that despite their size, seek to be extremely green. The home will be Energy Star rated and most of the green emphasis is on [...]