Energy Efficient Cabin Under Construction

An energy efficient small mountain cabin is currently under construction on a steep site overlooking Bottle Bay, east of Sandpoint on Lake Pend Oreille.  Scott Schriber of Selle Valley Construction and his crew are hard at work on this 1700 square foot eclectic cabin that promises to fulfill the owners long held dream of moving to the area and living in a high performance home populated with reclaimed fixtures and funky furnishings.

This highly energy efficient three bedroom cabin, designed by Hendricks Architecture, is being constructed using the Remote wall system, which utilizes a thick layer (or several layers) of exterior foam insulation sheathing to minimize or eliminate thermal bridging.  Scott is a big proponent of the system, and it was an easy sell to the owners who knew they wanted a high performance energy efficient home.

Cabin Side Elevation

This cabin will most likely qualify for gold level certification under the National Association of Home Builders Green Standard.  Selle Valley Construction has built several Green Certified homes, and Scott was a driving force in choosing the innovative construction systems that are employed in this cabin. In addition to the remote wall system, this cabin is being built using advanced framing techniques, raised heel trusses, and locally sourced cedar siding.  The design called for rusted corrugated steel siding used as a wainscot around the entire cabin, and Scott’s wife Barb Schriber worked with the owners to find reclaimed material for this application.

The owners have done a lot of work on their own, collecting numerous old plumbing fixtures, doors, and the like to use in their dream cabin. While this project does rely on some new technologies and devices to help reduce its impact, part of the green strategy is to utilize recycled or reclaimed goods as much as is practical, especially when it contributes to the eclectic character they are striving for.

The cabin has a large deck that faces the lake, as well as a covered screen porch for enjoying fresh air and early summer nights when the weather or mosquitoes can make being outside unpleasant. The screen porch was one of the owner’s favorite parts of the house, and despite a tight budget, they insisted on keeping this vital outdoor living space. The location of the cabin was forced by setbacks and steep topography, and as a result the deck and screen porch hover dramatically over the forest below.

Cabin & Deck Under Construction

Inside, a loft above the private spaces is open to the vaulted Great Room/ Kitchen below. The loft is primarily intended as a playroom for the grand-kids, but was designed with a couple opposing shed dormers to provide natural light and an area with enough headroom to house bunk beds. A heat recovery ventilator in a closet above the entry will help draw heat to the loft from the ductless heat pump located on the south wall of the great room. The heat pump and a wood stove in the great room should easily heat the entire cabin.

We are seeing a lot of interest in smaller energy efficient homes in North Idaho. If a new cabin or mountain home is in your future, we would love to talk to you about helping to make it a reality.

Tom Russell, Architect LEED AP

Hendricks Architecture specializes in the design of timber mountain style homes and cabins.  Most of the homes we’ve completed are in mountain resort areas throughout the West.  If you are interested in a mountain home, or you have any other inquiries, please contact us.

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Canadians Discover Sandpoint

This past summer in Sandpoint seemed busier than it has been in several years. It seemed like every time I went downtown or to City Beach there were always a lot of people out enjoying the great summer weather, and my sense is that many of them were visitors from elsewhere. Sandpoint’s population is always boosted in the summer by the many lakefront and vacation home owners that claim this area as their “home away from home”, and tourism has been steadily increasing in response to all the good press the area has been getting.

Sandpoint Evening (Canadian Selkirk Mountains in Far Right Background)

Recent examples in a long list of “best of” awards are Sandpoint’s designation as the “Most beautiful small town in America” and Schweitzer Mountain Resort’s selection as Ski Magazine editor’s pick as the “Best Kept Secret”. Sandpoint’s charm has not gone unnoticed, especially among our neighbors to the North. The number of Canadian license plates in town has increased significantly in the last few years, and this trend has been a big benefit to local business owners. Canadians have brought a welcome surge in commerce that has helped many businesses stay afloat in tough economic times.

The Pend Oreille River from Sandpoint's Long Bridge

Apparently some Canadians have recognized that there is a lot of value in the local real estate market. North Idaho has experienced a surge in vacation home and investment property purchases by Canadian citizens, with some choosing North Idaho as a place to retire. It’s no secret that property values are low almost everywhere in the U.S., and there are great deals out there for anyone with a bit of liquidity and a positive vision of the future. In Sandpoint, we are lucky to be less than an hour from the Canadian border and a short days drive from Calgary and other population centers in Southern Alberta. Oil and gas exploration has really taken off in Southern Alberta, and the economy there is much better off than in most areas of the United States.

Sunrise over Lake Pend Oreille (from an Owner's Lot on Garfield Bay)

Canadians visiting the US also benefit from lower prices on goods and services here, most notably gasoline and building materials. Currency exchange rates are also favorable for Canadians, though they are down a bit from a historic high in March of 2009. I remember only about 10 years ago the situation was opposite, and shopping trips or vacations to Canada were a great way to get a lot for the American dollar. Southern B.C., Alberta, and the National Parks of the Canadian Rockies are still very popular vacation spots for North Idaho residents, and most vacations I hear about involve outdoor enthusiasts enjoying Canada’s natural treasures and great skiing.

Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park

In Sandpoint, everyone I know is glad to see that our neighbors to the north are frequenting North Idaho and discovering how much this area has to offer. We are finding that they make great neighbors, clients, and friends. When I visit Canada, I never really feel like I am in a different country, and I suspect Canadians feel the same here. To acknowledge our kinship with Canada, Schweitzer Mountain has adopted Whitewater resort near Nelson, B.C. as its Canadian sister, and is offering Whitewater pass holders free skiing if they stay in any of the resort owned accommodations.

Whitewater Resort

Anyone visiting Sandpoint, Canadian or otherwise, is welcome to stop in and see our portfolio of beautiful mountain homes. We speak fluent Canadian, and would love to talk to you about designing your new mountain home.

Hendricks Architecture specializes in the design of timber mountain style homes and cabins.  Most of the homes we’ve completed are in mountain resort areas throughout the West.  If you are interested in a mountain home, or you have any other inquiries, please contact us.

Tom Russell, Architect LEED AP

Previous Post: Schweitzer Opens Early

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Schweitzer Opens Early

Inland Northwest skiers & snowboarders got an early treat this year when Schweitzer Mountain Resort opened the weekend before Thanksgiving. It is considered to be a good year if they are able to open on Thanksgiving weekend, and that happens roughly 50% of the time. This season was looking kind of weak for early season snow, though it was cold enough that the conditions were good for making snow. Everyone had their fingers crossed, and mother nature delivered some mid November storms that made for excellent early season conditions.

Schweitzer Bowl - The front of the mountain

Opening day at Schweitzer was November 19^th, and even though the terrain was limited the conditions were great. There was even some fresh snow to get everyone excited! Schweitzer closed again during the week, with a promise to reopen the day after Thanksgiving. The big surprise came a few days before Thanksgiving – a two day storm event that dumped several feet of heavy, wet snow and provided excellent coverage on the entire mountain. A few days later temperatures cooled down, 8” of light snow fell, and the day after Thanksgiving looked like a mid-winter powder day. A lot of the front side was open, conditions were excellent, and everyone was smiling!

This Schweitzer fan showed up a few days before opening day to avoid the crowds.

From what I have seen on other ski area websites, we have about the best conditions in the country right now. The Lake Tahoe region (Kirkwood, Squaw Valley and Heavenly Valley) has very little snow, Alta and Telluride are reporting less than a 30” base, and the central Colorado areas of Vail, Aspen, and Summit County are all hurting for snow. Even further north in Sun Valley and Big Sky, snow depths are thin and the ski resorts are barely open.

Closer to Sandpoint, Whitefish Mountain Resort had to cancel plans to open the first week in December due to lack of snow. 49 Degrees North is open and has almost as much snow as Schweitzer. North of the border, Fernie has a decent amount of snow, as do Red Mountain and Schweitzer’s Canadian sister resort of Whitewater. However, only Fernie is open this early in the season and the terrain is limited.

I have been seeing a lot of Canadian license plates in the parking lot at the ski resort, and also in town. The Canadians I have talked to are coming here from Calgary and other cities in Alberta, as well as from Southern British Columbia. It seems that word is getting out up there that Sandpoint in Northern Idaho is a wonderful place and that the skiing is pretty darn good. It probably doesn’t hurt that property is less expensive here, our taxes are lower, and the exchange rate is favorable too, eh. Whatever the reason, we welcome our visitors from Canada and are glad to be close to Southern B.C. so we can visit there as well.

A Schweitzer Skier on Opening Day

If you’re looking for some great early season skiing, come to Sandpoint and check out Schweitzer Mountain Resort. The entire front side (see trail maps – Schweitzer Bowl) is open now, including some excellent tree skiing for which Schweitzer is famous. You’ll find out why Schweitzer was the Ski Magazine editors pick for the best kept secret, but you have to promise not to tell anybody! Hope to see you there, and while you’re in Sandpoint stop by and see our portfolio of beautiful Mountain Homes.

This post was written by an author at Hendricks Architecture who wishes to remain anonymous.  We are mountain architects located in Sandpoint, Idaho.  Click to Subscribe to Hendricks Architecture’s Blog.

Previous Post: Adirondack Style Architecture

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Adirondack Style Architecture

The Adirondack Style has had a strong influence on much of the Mountain Architecture we enjoy today.  When I was growing up in the Adirondacks, I knew very little about the rich history of the area.  Now, traveling back there as an architect with a lot more knowledge of the natural and built environment, I am able to really appreciate a lot of the things that I hardly noticed when I was younger. One of the things I enjoy the most is checking out the Adirondack style camps that have become iconic symbols of the region, especially the ones that are built along the shores of the numerous lakes.  My favorite place to go to learn about Adirondack history is the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, New York.

Adirondack Museum

Until the late 1800’s, most of the Adirondacks were a rugged wilderness that few dared to venture into. As transportation routes slowly became established later in the 19^th century, wealthy city dwellers started taking extended vacations there to recreate and escape from unhealthy urban environments. Early Adirondack accommodations were primitive at best, and as the demand increased more civilized shelters started appearing. The remoteness of the Adirondacks necessitated the use of indigenous materials for building, and abundant supplies of timber and stone made them the obvious choice. Sawmills and sophisticated fasteners were rare, so whole or half logs in easy to handle sizes and creative joinery became a part of the building process out of necessity.

Early Adirondack Cabin

As railroads started to penetrate the Adirondacks, many of the wealthiest industrialists of the time sought refuge in the clean air, numerous lakes and beautiful scenery of the area. They built grand lake lodges to house themselves and their guests, often as small campuses with separate outbuildings for sleeping or utility purposes. These so called “great camps” were built in a similar style using local materials and craftsman, and many of them are still standing and in service today.

Camp Pine Knot, the first of the Adirondack "Great Camps"

William West Durant, son of railroad magnate Thomas Durant, is often credited with developing the Adirondack style, though some of the signature elements of the style had been used for some time in early Adirondack buildings. Here is an excellent short PBS video on Adirondack Great Camps.

The great camps exemplify the Adirondack style, which has influences from the Arts & Crafts movement, the Shingle style, and Swiss chalets. Rustic elegance is the hallmark of the style, achieved through artful use of native materials left as close to their natural state as possible. Common exterior elements include unpeeled cedar log siding and railings, square pane divided light windows, indigenous stone, intricate twig work, and ornate gable decoration.  The cedar log railing below was built by RP Ledger Construction of Lake Placid, NY.

Adirondack Railing

Adirondack Deck

Highlights of interiors include granite boulder fireplaces, birch bark wallpaper, fir bead board for wainscot and ceilings, and furniture crafted from small diameter unpeeled logs, bark and rough edged boards.  Bedroom below by RP Ledger Construction.

Adirondack Bedroom

Adirondack Kitchen

Another common characteristic of the Adirondack style is buildings that harmonize with their surroundings. When the early great camps were constructed, large earth moving equipment was not available, and the rugged landscape forced the buildings to fit the land. The use of natural materials and earth tone colors helps to make true Adirondack style buildings appear to be part of the landscape, and the focus on recreation and outdoor living emphasize a connection to nature.

In classic Adirondack style, this grand lake home (photo below, also by RP Ledger Construction) is unassumingly tucked back into the forest. Unpeeled Eastern White Cedar railings and rustic timbers grace the exterior of this  Adirondack lodge home.

Adirondack Lodge Home

No Adirondack camp is complete without a covered deck, and screened “sleeping porches” are common for warm weather use.

Adirondack Sleeping Porch

The Adirondack style is not strictly an east coast vernacular. Adirondack style homes and furniture can be found in many of the mountainous areas of the country. The Adirondack chair has become a fixture on cabin porches and docks all across America. Perhaps the most visible adaption of Adirondack style can be seen in some of the National Park lodges in the western United States. The Old Faithful Inn, Glacier Park Lodge, and The Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite are among those with influences from the Adirondack style.

Old Faithful Inn Exterior Detail

So called “Parkitecture” is a regional adaptation of the basic concept of using indigenous materials to create grand buildings that offer rustic luxury and promote engagement with the outdoors.

At Hendricks Architecture, we specialize in designing western mountain style lodge homes that take some inspiration from the Adirondack style. Having grown up in the area and worked on some old Adirondack camps when I was a young carpenter, I have a deep appreciation for the style. I am fond enough of it that I have designed an Adirondack style cabin that I plan to build on my property here in Sandpoint, Idaho. Anyone who has been to both the Adirondacks and North Idaho will know how similar the two places are.  I think an Adirondack style lodge or cabin would be a great fit for the heavily forested lake country of the Idaho Panhandle. If you have an interest in an Adirondack style home or any other Arts and Crafts inspired mountain home style, we would love to talk to you about your plans.

Tom Russell, Architect, LEED AP

Previous Post: A Whimsical Steel Bandshell for Sandpoint’s Farmin Park

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A Whimsical Steel Bandshell for Sandpoint’s Farmin Park

Hendricks Architecture, in cooperation with  Sandpoint Rotary, has designed a whimsical steel bandshell for the Farmin Park bandstand in Sandpoint, Idaho. The Project will be funded by Sandpoint Rotary and the Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency.  Rotary members have been donating their time in coordination and fund raising, and will also have a hand in construction.

The Farmin Park Bandshell

The bandshell is designed to emulate other whimsical elements in the park, as well as the existing curved bandstand, and other rustic elements throughout downtown Sandpoint.  A curved steel roof structure will be supported by curved steel columns.  Two circular struts will enclose custom steel Rotary wheel emblems.  All steel will have a pre-rusted “weathered” finish.  The underside of the roof will have matching acoustic insulation to help with sound reverberation. Construction is scheduled for Summer of 2012.

Farmin Park is set in the middle of downtown Sandpoint.  The  Sandpoint Farmer’s Market occurs at the park Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings from May through October.  The bandstand is set at the far point of the park and houses a scheduled musician at every event.

The 3D rendering was provided by Tom Russell, an architect at Hendricks Architecture.  Special thanks also to the Rotary members who have been donating their time on this project, including Project Chairman Bob Linscott, Project Manager Sean Fitzpatrick, Presidents Jerri Anderson & Matt Kerr, Secretary Pierce Smith, Treasurer Sue Poppino,  as well as Kim Woodruff from City Parks and Rec, and Consultants Terry Hecox, Dick Creed, Carlos Suarez and Tom Brunner.

John Hendricks is an AIA architect at Hendricks Architecture.  We are a mountain architectural  firm in Sandpoint, Idaho.  Click to Subscribe to Hendricks Architecture’s Blog

Previous Post: Choosing Windows for Your Home

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Choosing Windows for Your Home

From an Architect’s perspective, windows are one of the most important elements that goes into a typical home, and the choice of which windows to use should not be taken lightly.  Windows perform many important functions in residential buildings – they are part of the exterior envelope that keeps inhabitants separated from the elements, they provide a visual connection with the outside world, they let in critical natural light, and they can be used to help ventilate or passively heat and cool a space.  We also expect them to look good, function flawlessly, last forever, and coordinate with the exterior and interior materials.

Lakefront Home with Aluminum Clad Wood Windows

Modern building codes have minimum energy efficiency standards for windows, and these have been getting more stringent in recent versions of the code.  Quality windows are a critical component in an energy efficient home, since most of the heat loss (and gain) in a well insulated building occurs through windows and doors.  However, good windows are expensive, and cost is usually a major factor in the deciding which type of window to use.  I always advocate for using the best quality windows that the budget will allow, even if it means compromising elsewhere.

Mountain Home with Aluminum Clad Wood Windows

The residential window business is highly competitive and there are constant innovations that Architects and builders try hard to stay current on.  Here are my observations and opinions on some of the window options out there.

Vinyl windows have become something of an industry standard in lower to mid level homes, and are even sometimes used in more upscale custom homes.  Because they are the most affordable of the pre-manufactured window options and are relatively easy to make in custom sizes, vinyl windows have become extremely popular, especially for replacement windows.  On the plus side, all but the cheapest vinyl windows are reasonably energy efficient and meet minimum code requirements.  They also won’t rot or require any maintenance.

In my opinion, vinyl windows have many disadvantages – the frames sag over time, the profiles are usually clunky and unattractive, the grids look fake, and vinyl as a material is environmentally harmful and contributes to bad indoor air quality.  Sun deteriorates vinyl over time, leading to it becoming weak and brittle.  Until recently, vinyl windows were available in any color you wanted, as long as you wanted white or tan.  Now Jeld-Wen has vinyl windows available in 8 standard colors with a custom option to have them painted any color.  I don’t advocate using vinyl windows except when the budget is super tight or in a replacement situation where custom sizing better windows would be cost prohibitive.

Home with Vinyl Clad Wood Windows

Vinyl clad wood windows are better than pure vinyl windows because the frame is made of wood with a protective vinyl cover on the exterior portion of the window.  While they still look like vinyl windows on the outside, the interior is natural wood and it is hard to tell them from true wood windows.  They combine the low maintenance of vinyl with the beauty and strength of wood.  As you might expect, vinyl clad wood windows are priced in the mid range and are a good choice when the budget allows a quality upgrade from pure vinyl.  Some companies offer Fiberglass Cladding in lieu of vinyl.  Fiberglass is a more durable option that is available in more colors than vinyl.

Waterfront Home with Aluminum Clad Wood Windows

Aluminum clad wood windows are the standard of quality in modern residential construction.  They take the time tested all wood window that has been used in quality homes for the last 100 plus years and eliminate the largest disadvantage – exposed wood on the exterior that deteriorates quickly and requires frequent maintenance.  Modern clad wood windows are built to high standards of energy efficiency and their performance can be further upgraded by opting for different glazing choices.  The exterior cladding is formed to different profiles, depending on the manufacturer and the product line you choose.  Cladding color choices are extensive, and the best windows have 20 – 30 year warranties on the paint used for the cladding, which makes them maintenance free and very long lasting.  In my mind, clad wood windows are the obvious choice when superior energy performance, longevity, and good looks are important considerations.

An Aluminum Clad Wood Window Section

All wood windows perform similarly to clad wood windows, with the exception that the exterior is exposed wood rather than clad with aluminum.  While the energy performance of these units will be the same, they are more susceptible to weathering and require frequent painting or staining.  They look great, especially on rustic and some traditional style homes, but I would only recommend using them when the aesthetic of the home requires.  If all wood windows are used, it is a good idea to provide large overhangs or other means to protect them from sun and precipitation.  Humid climates may necessitate using more durable (and costly) wood species, such as Honduran Mahogany, Verante or Teak.

Wood Windows on a Mountain Home

Hurd, a Wisconsin manufacturer of quality windows, is currently marketing a hybrid window called the H3.  It combines aluminum cladding, a vinyl core frame, and wood interior. Installed, it looks just like a clad wood window because the vinyl is used in places where it doesn’t show. Advantages of using vinyl are increased stability, better rot resistance, and lower cost.  I have yet to see these windows installed on a project, but it is an interesting idea and may be a good option for projects that require quality windows at a mid level price point.

Windows are an important architectural and functional element of any home.  If you are building a new home, an addition, or replacing old windows, buy the best you can afford and pay careful attention to installation details. It may be worth checking for federal, state, or utility company incentives for energy efficient upgrades.

Tom Russell, Project Architect, LEED AP

Hendricks Architecture, mountain architects in Sandpoint, Idaho.  Windows are a big part of our initial designs, helping the overall aesthetics, curb appeal, views, energy efficiency, UV control, and other considerations. Subscribe to Hendricks Architecture’s Blog

Previous Post: Selkirk Loop Vacation in British Columbia

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Selkirk Loop Vacation in British Columbia

One of my favorite things to do with the family is to take loop camping trips in the mountains.  Living in the beautiful Northwestern U.S., and close to the Canadian border, there are endless routes to choose from. Last summer I could only get away for a few days, so we chose a modified version of the International Selkirk Loop from my hometown of Sandpoint, Idaho to Nelson, British Columbia.  This is one of the more popular scenic loop trips in both Western Canada and the Western United States.

Garfield Bay near Sandpoint on Lake Pend Oreille

We set out on a Friday morning from Sandpoint.  Sandpoint is about 45 miles south of the Canadian border, and was recently voted Most Beautiful town in the USA by USA Today.  After being through the border from Seattle to Vancouver many times before, we found this border to be a breeze in terms of crowds.  There were only about five vehicles heading into Canada, whereas there were about fifty entering the United States.

We had lunch in Creston, BC, and then headed up the eastern shore of Kootenay Lake to catch the ferry.  Kootenay Lake is a very long and narrow fjord-like lake surrounded by the Purcell Mountains on the east and the Selkirk Mountains to the west.  The beautiful, winding drive up the eastern shore to the ferry landing at Kootenay Bay is lined with roughly 40 miles (64 kilometers) of waterfront homes, resorts and parks.  The toll-free ferry is a treat for the kids (and adults).   Mountain fresh air, a glistening blue lake, and awesome views of the Purcell’s come with the 35 minute ferry ride.

Kootenay Lake from the Kootenay Ferry

Once we landed in Balfour, we headed north along the west side of the lake to look at campgrounds, with the idea of staying at one and going to Ainsworth Hot Springs the next day, before camping at Slocan Lake the next night.  However, the campgrounds we saw were a little too open and populated for us, so we decided to head straight for Slocan Lake.

Slocan Lake

We drove north to Kaslo before turning west.  Kaslo is a very pretty town situated around a small bay.  We would have liked to explore it more, but we wanted to make sure we found a campground and were set up before dark.  We headed west, climbing over the Kootenay Range.  Near the top a tourist on a slow motorcycle heading east took too long a glimpse of a waterfall and fell over in front of us.   After helping him get his bike up and making sure it wasn’t scratched (it was a rental), we drove down into the town of New Denver on Slocan Lake.

We were one of the last to get a spot at Rosebery, a campground just a couple of minutes north of town.  We were right on Wilson Creek, so the kids really enjoyed it.  The next day we strolled around New Denver, a quaint, rustic town on the east side of Slocan Lake.  New Denver is in a beautiful setting and is up there on the list of the most scenic towns.  There are plenty of outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling, boating, fishing, etc.  We explored the Silvery Slocan Historical Society Museum, which has some interesting artifacts dating back to the 1800’s.  We also ran across the Villa Dome Quixote, an interesting complex with a lodge and cottages.

The Villa Dome Quixote in New Denver

That afternoon we took it easy and hung out on the beach on the north side of town.  My daughter is an avid swimmer and convinced me to swim with her out to a floating platform.  The water was actually much warmer than I expected it to be.  It was also crystal clear as I could easily see the bottom, which must have been at least 5 meters deep below the platform.  However, when I tried diving down the water was mind-numbing so I quickly turned back.

The north side of Slocan Lake from New Denver

That evening we played charades around the campfire.  Charades is a very entertaining game when you have small children.  Our youngest boy is a big fan of pirates.  Here is one of his turns.

“Three words.  It’s a person.  A person on a pirate ship.”

“Is it a pirate?”

“Yes!”

The next morning we set out for Nelson.  The drive down the eastern side of Slocan Lake has some great views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Nelson Fire House, featured in Roxanne

Nelson is ANOTHER beautiful town, though much bigger at just over 9,000 people.  It’s set at the end of an “arm” that comes off the middle of Kootenay Lake.  The town’s main street has an impressive collection of buildings from the days of the silver rush.  The Steve Martin film Roxanne was filmed here.  Much of the film was shot at the firehouse, shown above, where Steve Martin was the fire chief.

Nelson Court House

After a great lunch at the Twisted Tomato, we headed toward the waterfront and took a restored streetcar to Rotary Lakeside Park.   This park has everything; a great playground with modern equipment that I enjoyed almost as much as the kids, a beautiful beach with Laser sailboats frolicking offshore, tennis courts, and playfields among others.  One of our favorites were the modern exercise stations on the west side of the park.

Nelson's Rotary Lakeside Park

In the late afternoon we headed back towards Sandpoint.  It was a great trip for a 3-day weekend, though we could have easily stayed longer.  A map of our trip can be seen on this Google Maps link.

Tom Russell, an architect here at Hendricks Architecture, took a longer trip up Banff and Revelstoke which included passing through New Denver and Nelson on the way back.  You can read more about his trip under our blog post Mountain Vacation in Southern British Columbia and Alberta.

John Hendricks, AIA Architect

Hendricks Architecture is a mountain architecture firm located in Sandpoint, Idaho.  Subscribe to Hendricks Architecture’s Blog.

Previous Post: The National Green Building Standard

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The National Green Building Standard

The green building movement has generated quite a following in the last 5 or 10 years, and what used to be a somewhat fringe idea is now becoming part of mainstream culture. Advertisements for products and services across the spectrum are full of sometimes dubious claims of how environmentally friendly they are, and efforts are being made in many industries to create a metric to quantify how “green” something really is.

The building industry has been a leading force in the establishment of meaningful rating systems for measuring the environmental impact of common materials, methods, and design practices used to create modern buildings. The LEED rating system was developed in 2000 by the U.S. Green Building Council, and soon became the industry standard, perhaps because it was the only standard. It has evolved from a broad scope that attempted to encompass all aspects of building construction into a suite of specific rating systems that target specific project types.

In 2007, the International Code Council (ICC) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) partnered to create a nationally recognizable standard for measuring sustainable building practices called The National Green Building Standard. It provided a much needed tool for comparing the relative merits of single and multi-family homes built using established or innovative products and practices. Since it is specific to the residential sector of the construction industry and a companion document to the ICC suite of model building codes, many builders and homeowners are choosing to pursue certification under the National Green Building Standard.

The Green Building Standard is similar to LEED in many ways. Both utilize a point system that is used to achieve one of four different levels of certification. In the National Green Building Standard, the levels are Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Emerald. Points are earned for employing green building practices that fall into categories covering the basic tenets of sustainable design and construction:

1)      Site selection, design, & development

2)      Resource Efficiency

3)      Energy Efficiency

4)      Water Efficiency

5)      Indoor Air Quality

6)      Owner education on systems operation and maintenance

7)      Innovative practices

In both the LEED and NAHB rating systems, an independent verifier is used to determine a project’s level of achievement.

In general, the NAHB Green Building Standard provides rewards for practices that exceed the basic requirements of building codes, especially as they relate to minimum insulation levels, plumbing fixture flow rates, and ventilation requirements. Emphasis is placed on high efficiency heating / cooling, minimizing generated waste, using durable, renewable, salvaged or recycled materials, and avoiding products that contribute to poor indoor air quality or have adverse environmental impacts.

At Hendricks Architecture, we have designed a couple homes recently that will be seeking certification under The National Green Building Standard.  Scott Schriber of Selle Valley Construction will be building both of them, and he has constructed several NAHB certified green homes in the last few years. He estimates that it costs an additional 3%-5% upfront to build a home that achieves Green Standard certification.

A home designed to achieve certification under the National Green Building Standard

Our experience has been that when clients are considering if they should build a high performance/ low impact home, upfront cost is almost always a factor. When trying to decide if  “going green” makes financial sense, it is important to remember that a home built to The National Green Building Standard (or other rating systems) will benefit from substantial long term energy and maintainace cost savings, improved indoor air quality, and enhanced resale value. Financial considerations aside, many homeowners are opting to build high performance green homes simply because they value the peace of mind that comes with creating a healthy, durable place for their families to live.

Tom Russell, Project Architect, LEED AP

Hendricks Architecture, mountain architects in Sandpoint, Idaho.  Subscribe to Hendricks Architecture’s Blog

Previous Post: Sandpoint Mountain Home on the Cover of Timber Home Living

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Sandpoint Mountain Home on the Cover of Timber Home Living

A home Hendricks Architecture designed at The Idaho Club in Sandpoint, Idaho is the cover story in the August 2011 issue of Timber Home Living Magazine.  It is a good example of the Mountain Architecture style we design, employing the use of big timbers, rustic siding and indigenous stone to blend mountain homes and cabins into their natural settings.  More information and photos on this home can be seen on Mountain Style Home in Sandpoint, a previous post of ours. The cover shot and accompanying photos were taken by Karl Neumann Photography.  The contractor was Pucci Construction.

Sandpoint Mountain Home on the Cover of Timber Home Living

John Hendricks, AIA Architect

Hendricks Architecture is a mountain architecture firm located in Sandpoint, Idaho.  Subscribe to Hendricks Architecture’s Blog. Cover photo used with permission.

Previous Post: New Energy Code Requirements for Insulation

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New Energy Code Requirements for Insulation

As of January 1, 2011, many states, including Idaho, adopted new energy code requirements with the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The new code has stricter requirements for the energy efficiency of the building envelope (a technical term for the part of a building that keeps the interior warm, dry, and comfortable). The new code requires a roughly 8-10% upgrade in building thermal efficiency from the previous code.

The biggest changes affect insulation values in ceilings, below grade walls, and to a lesser extent, above grade exterior walls. The insulation requirements vary within 8 different climate zones.  North Idaho and much of the Intermountain West are in climate zone 6, which has only slightly lower insulation requirements than zones 7 & 8. Zones 7 & 8 encompass the very coldest parts of the country.

Here’s a quick overview of the new requirements:

• Ceiling insulation values have been increased from R-38 to R-49.  (The R-value is a measure of thermal efficiency – the higher the number the more efficient the insulation).  This is significant and potentially costly to homeowners, especially if they want vaulted ceilings. Typical roof framing members are not deep enough to accommodate enough conventional fiberglass insulation to achieve this high R-value. There are options that can be employed to meet this requirement and still have vaulted ceilings.

1. Use deeper rafters. This is potentially expensive, an inefficient use of resources, and generally not recommended unless structural requirements dictate it.
2. Use urethane spray foam insulation, which has a much higher R-value per inch. This product is more expensive than fiberglass insulation, but is an excellent air seal and eliminates the need for venting, which is sometimes difficult on complex roofs.
   

   Urethane spray foam insulation

3. Use fiberglass insulation in the rafter space, and then a continuous rigid board insulation on either the ceiling below the rafters or on the roof above the sheathing. This reduces thermal bridging, which is a major source of heat loss in stick frame construction. Depending on the application, it may be better to put board insulation on the interior; putting it on the roof is physically easier but makes attaching some types of roofing problematic.
   

   Rigid Board Insulation

The code does allow for some R-value reductions if certain details are used, and there is an allowance for a maximum of 500 S.F. of vaulted ceilings with R-38 insulation value, subject to some restrictions.

• Basement wall insulation values have been increased from R-13 to R-19. These numbers are for insulation in wall cavities, if continuous board or spray foam insulation is used R- 15 is required. This accounts for the reduction in heat loss through thermal bridging, as mentioned above. One implication of this is that basement living space will potentially be reduced because walls need to be thicker to accommodate more insulation. Use of an ICF foundation system is an effective way to achieve this R-value without losing interior space.
  

  ICF Foundation

• Exterior wall insulation value has been increased from R-19 to R-20. This is significant because conventional fiberglass batt insulation is not able to achieve R-20 in a 2 x 6 wall. As an alternative, the code allows for a cavity insulation value of R-13 if a continuous board or foam insulation of minimum R-5 is used as a supplement. This is, again, an acknowledgement of the value of reducing thermal bridging. Urethane spray foam insulation can easily achieve R-20 in 2 x 6 stud cavities.

The new IECC has upped the ante for reducing building energy consumption, and future versions of the code promise further improvements. I have always been an advocate for maximizing the thermal performance of any new building, and hyper-insulating is a very effective means of achieving that goal. Money spent up front in insulation will be rewarded through reduced energy costs, smaller mechanical systems, and enhanced comfort levels for building occupants.

Tom Russell, LEED AP, Project Architect

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John Hendricks, AIA Architect • Architecture, Planning, Construction Management
418 Pine St, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 • T 208.265.4001 F 208-265-4009 • john@hendricksarch.com