Globe

The Sustainable Design Center

Bio-regionally Appropriate Architecture Collaboration and Planning for a Cleaner, Healthier Planet

Austin’s 10,000th Green Builder Project

Firm: Benjamin C. Obregon Architect

Project Status: Project completed in 2011

Project description: This project began with a 795 s.f. Studio that included a peeled cedar post and beam structure with straw bale in-fill walls, 10″ of spray foam roof insulation, and a mini split AC system. Once the Studio was finished we started the renovation of the existing 1189 s.f. 1920’s Bungalow.  The foundation and flooring were repaired, a new metal roof and high efficiency water fixtures and rain barrels were added.  Asbestos siding was removed from the outside, the home was re-wired to current codes and spray foam insulation was added.  Hardie siding was then installed over a layer of insulated sheathing using a rainscreen concept. The renovations and improvements combined with an inverter mini-split system a 3 kWh Solar array on the House and a 4kWh Solar Array on the Studio have resulted in a Net-Zero property that accrued a credit of 862 kWh from Earth Day 2012 to Earth Day 2013. An extensive urban vegetable garden, with a greenhouse constructed from reclaimed materials, produces an abundance of food for the owners and friends. This 5-Star rated project was honored to be chosen from a number of qualified applicants as the City’s 10,000th Project Rated by the Green Builder Program in 2012