Green Project of the Week: Loomis House
The Loomis House, built and designed by Atmosphere Design Build, was designed to perform sustainably while feeling like a calm retreat. A 6.8 kW roof-mounted photovoltaic system paired with a 16 kWh backup battery system provides for all the project’s energy usage and offers resiliency during grid power outages. Domestic hot water is supplied by a solar thermal hot water system, which was requested by the owner as an additional layer of resiliency. In the hot, dry climate of Loomis, Calif., air-tight construction provides the most effective energy savings and building comfort.
The Loomis House reaches high levels of air tightness, testing out at .04 CFM50 per sf, which was achieved by attentive construction and installation of triple pane European windows. A balanced heat-recovery ventilation system ensures constant fresh, filtered air, throughout the home without any substantial heat loss.
The house opens to the east, facing the water, with the main living spaces arranged around the boulder outcrop. Windows, doors and porches are strategically placed so that neighboring houses are obscured while still allowing for ample natural light and pointed sitelines.
Photo credit: Kat Alves Photography
