Sustainable Design Center

Wylie Residence

Ben — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 20:49:52 +0000

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Firm: Benjamin C Obregon Architect

Project Status: Project Completed in August 2011

Project Description: A 2,485 s.f. 3 bdrm, 3-1/2 bath home constructed with an infill straw bale wall system and orientated for passive solar heating, cooling and natural ventilation. The natural ventilation is enhanced by the Dog Trot, stacked ventilation and 3rd floor lookout tower that doubles as a thermal chimney. The home features 2 separate mother in law suites opening onto the east facing courtyard, a separate master suite and a second living area w/ balcony above the Dog Trot. Manifold plumbing, Radiant floor heating and a ductless inverter mini split system provide the utility services. In addition a 26 gauge snap lock metal roof over open cell spray foam insulation, applied to the underside of the roof decking provides attic space inside the thermal envelope. This home achieved a 5 star rating on the City of Austin Green Building Rating System.

DeWitt County Homestead

Ben — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 17:51:10 +0000

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Firm: Benjamin C. Obregon Architect

Project Status: Project completed in the Fall of 2010

Owner Quotes on Energy usage;

Most of the time, during the summer we only use the 2 ac zones that are the master suite and the kitchen/utility/pantry area. We pretty much set the temp at 78-80 F and that is comfortable. The rest of the house stays comfortable for daily use. If we are having company or entertaining we might turn the other 2 zones on in bar, LR-DR, but not always as it stays pretty much comfortable.

The elecric bill for 4-25-11thru 5-25-11-which includes the water pump as well-was $142.00. This breaks down like this: Service available charge – $15.00, Delivery charge $35.88 and Gen. & Tran. Charge $91.12. I guess the Gen.& Tran. Charge is the REAL electricity. During the winter months, I can’t recall that we had to put the system on. The house was comfortable. The verandas are a great help since the summer sun hardly ever touches the windows and the South side of the house has only windows in the master bath. We have planted grape vines outside the bathroom garden walls to eventually cover the bathroom garden roof which will give us shade in the summer and drop the leaves in the winter. We enjoy the warmth of shaded sun in the winter that comes through the bathroom windows.

The temps have been in high 90s to 104 F with no rain. So we are in a real heat wave and have been for the last month or so. I don’t know what the electric bill SHOULD be, but we are not complaining about the cost at this point. Most folks with older houses are paying $400/month.

Project Description: Architect on a new 4200 S.F. home designed and located to maximize passive solar heating, cooling and natural ventilation. The home is constructed of 2X8 studs filled with spray foam insulation. It has a clay tile roof, rainwater collection system and full length wrap around covered porches to enhance indoor-outdoor living. Guest stay in a separate building that can be closed off to lower utility cost when not in use. The main house numerous hand carved doors, cabinets, post and other pieces or furniture/art incorporated into the design.

Fort Hood Office Building

Ben — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 20:32:18 +0000

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Firm: Benjamin C. Obregon Architect

Project Status: Conceptual plans completed in 2009. Funding in process

Project Description: 120,000 s.f. Office Building designed to LEED Platinum standards with the following goals:

Steel frame with jumbo straw bale exterior walls orientated and designed to promote passive solar heating, cooling and natural ventilation and lighting to the maximum extent possible
Building to have a partial living roof with a Heli-pad
Rainwater to be harvested from the remainder of the roof via a standing seam metal roof and seamless gutters routed to an internal cistern system built into the foundation
High efficiency HVAC system (geo-thermal preferred) to be used through out.
Solar panels to be installed on all south facing metal roofs and on stand at living roof.
The 4 story central glass atrium with operable doors/windows throughout will serve as a modern day version of the “Dog Run” and create breezes that can be funneled through the rest of the building

Von Roemer Residence

billc — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 07:05:56 +0000

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Firm: Benjamin C. Obregon Architect

Project Status: Completed in 2006, this all electric home has City of Austin monthly electrical bills between $300.00 and $600.00 which are substantially lower that typical homes it’s size.

Project Description: a 6600 S.F. residence w/ A lookout tower that also serves as a thermal chimney, 2 guest cabana’s and wrap around porches. The home has a 360-degree view and is situated to capture the prevailing southeasterly breeze. Energy efficiency and strength are maximized with a high insulation fiber cement block wall system, R-30 roof insulation, radiant barrier decking, Pella windows, demand water heaters and a centralized HVAC system with all ducts inside the thermal envelope. 2004. 2006

Small Residence

billc — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 06:44:00 +0000

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Firm: Benjamin C. Obregon Architect

Project Status: Project completed in September 2008

Owner Quotes on monthly elect cost and value

1-26-09
The first month in the house after the array was turned on we had lots of sun and mild temperatures and our first electrical bill was $1.86. I scanned the bill so I’d have it. Of course today the array isn’t doing anything, but still it’s supplied about 66% of our total use since we turned it on.
2-27-09
Just got our utility bill from the city. Our net electricity usage for the month was zero kilowatt hours. A couple less cloudy days and we would have been deeply negative.
5-24-10
The house is a custom-designed 5-star rated luxury home (highest rating by Austin Energy). If you have any doubts on whether this green building stuff really works; our most recent electricity bill was $5.43. Many of you have been to our house, but for those who have not, it’s a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath with 2415 sq ft, plus Catherine’s studio above the garage, another 555 square feet

7-15-10

Hey Ben, it’s Tom Small . I thought I’d let you know, if you ever think good architecture and good design isn’t worth something, we have 2 couples having a bidding war on the house, which of course, is unheard of in this economy. They have managed to bump each other up $35,000.00 so far, which is considerable over the asking price and, you just never know, sometimes you get lucky, so Thank You Ben. See you later. Bye.

Project Description: 2,416 s.f. 2 story home with a 550.00 s.f. artist studio. The buildings are designed and oriented to provide privacy from the street. In addition the building massing helps funnel breezes to the home’s windows. As you enter the covered walkway and pass the garage/art studio, the interior courtyard opens up before you. Screened and covered porches as well as the upstairs balcony enhance indoor-outdoor living. Casement windows with operable transoms provide flow through ventilation and help exhaust heat. A high efficiency HVAC system with insulated ductwork provides interior climate control. The building’s energy envelope is completed by 2X6 studs w/R-19 insulation, a snap lock metal roof over a radiant barrier and R-30 roof insulation. The second floor and roof are constructed of pre-engineered trusses. The first floor has stained concrete floors and the second floor has bamboo. The owners have reported a net negative energy useage on sunny days since the photovoltaic array has been turned on. This home achieved a 5 star rating on the City of Austin Green Building Rating System.

Christopher Residence

Ben — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 06:05:09 +0000

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Firm: Benjamin C. Obregon Architect

Project Status: Construction Documents completed in 2009

Project Description:3600 s.f. main house and a 2 car garage with a 570 s.f. artist studio above. Buildings and garage are placed to maximize natural cooling and views. Indoor-outdoor living is enhanced with a covered south facing porch. Fiber-cement block construction will provide a strong, well insulated home. Low VOC paints and stains, recycled materials, a metal roof, double pane insulated glass windows, low flow plumbing fixtures and a high efficiency HVAC system will enhance the homes energy package. Preliminary estimates indicate this home should reach a 4 or 5 star rating on the City of Austin Green Building Rating System.

Rainey Studio

billc — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 05:45:31 +0000

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Firm: Benjamin C. Obregon Architect

Project Status: Completed in 2008.

Project Description: 432 s.f. office/storage building that utilizes a peeled cedar post and beam structural system with straw bale in-fill. The building’s energy efficiency is further enhanced by using Pella wood metal clad windows, a snap lock metal roof over icynene insulation and a mini-split HVAC system.

When rated, this building should reach a level 5 on the City of Austin Green Building Rating System.

Merritt-Patton Residence

billc — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 05:43:06 +0000

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Firm: Benjamin C. Obregon Architect

Project Status: Completed in 2003.

Project Description:3800 s.f. stone and wood home (including a 250 s.f. home office for 2 people), with the long axis running east to west, 10 foot deep full length covered porches at both floors on the south side, 2×6 stud walls with R-19 batt insulation, R-30 roof insulation with continuous ridge and soffit vents and radiant barrier decking, a stone veneer on 3 sides, minimal window openings on the west side, SEER 14 HVAC w/ all ducts located in the thermal envelope. HVAC load analysis indicated 2-2 ton units would work for the home. In 1994 the monthly utility bill was approximately $125.00- $150.00.

Schultz Habitable Barn

billc — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 05:40:44 +0000

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Firm: Benjamin C. Obregon Architect

Project Status: Completed in early 2005

Project Description: 2370 s.f. new home. The home design is based on a Gambrel roofed barn. The building was located for passive solar heating, cooling and natural ventilation. In addition, the project utilizes a structurally insulated panel wall system, a metal roof with radiant barrier decking, R-30 batt insulation, a full length covered porch on the south and minimal openings on the west to reduce energy usage and increase livable area. Additional features include: Flow through ventilation in each room, Metal clad wood double hung, double pane windows with a low-e film, Pre-engineered floor and roof trusses, Stained concrete first floor, Bamboo second floor, and composite decking on the balcony, Low V.O.C. finishes and High efficiency HVAC system with metal ductwork inside the thermal envelope.

Preliminary calculations indicate this home should be reach a level 4 on the City of Austin Green Builder Rating System.

2105 Glendale

billc — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 05:08:02 +0000

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Firm: Benjamin C. Obregon Architect

Project Status: Completed in September 2008

Project Description: The complete renovation and additions to an existing 3,136.00 s.f. Travis Heights Bungalow. The project included a new kitchen and master suite upstairs while taking advantage of the existing wood floors and detailing in the Living and Dining Rooms. The lower floor was completely rebuilt with 2 new bathrooms, 3 bedrooms, a game room and media room separated by a new wet bar, and a rebuilt utility room. New windows and HVAC as well as extra insulation were also added.

Preliminary estimates indicate this project should reach a level 3 on the City Of Austin Green Building Rating System.