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Part researcher, part builder, part Realtor, Carole Levin knows the ropes when it comes to home building, buying, and selling. But now, she’s also an authority in another field of study – sustainable living. Embarking on a home building project using as many eco-friendly materials as possible four years ago was a little risky. The literature was scarce and the resources even more difficult to locate. But Levin and her husband, Grayson Isbell, knew they wanted a home that not only looked good, but that also would be here for generations to come.
Down a Recyclable Road
Because Levin, 55, and Isbell, 54, wanted a new home that “lived” old in Silver Spring where they both have resided most of their lives, the decision to demolish the existing house, which is located in Woodside Park, didn’t come easy. After months of discussions with Architect Richard S. Rosen and consulting Architect Sandra Leibowitz Earley, who specializes in sustainable design, it made sense to start from scratch.
To begin the sustainable living journey, the owners donated the original brick house to Second Chance Inc., a non-profit Baltimore-based architectural antiques salvage company that recycles and sells building materials that would otherwise be tossed, as well as teaches low-income residents carpentry and other skills. “It was a win-win situation for everyone,” Levin says. “We wanted that old-time warmth and personality wrapped up in an efficient new space designed with our present and future needs in mind,” including incorporating at least 36” doorways for future accessibility. But building a sustainable home didn’t mean living in a mud hut.
A Foundation to Build on
After many months of research, Levin, who acted as the general contractor/builder on the project, and Isbell, who was the onsite foreman overseeing and assisting subcontractors as well as being involved in construction daily, made budgetary and eco-friendly choices for systems and building materials that would last throughout their lifetimes as well as serve the needs of future owners. “Building a sustainable home is not just about you,” Levin says. “It’s about leaving a legacy for future generations to enjoy what you’ve done.”
The homeowners began by installing CertainTeed’s Form-A-Drain foundation footing system that provides drainage as well as works as a sub-slab radon reduction system. Rub-R-Wall waterproofing and energy-efficient Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) make up the walls with more than 500 yards of concrete in the entire home. “Approximately 80 percent of the home is concrete and polystyrene, which very effectively maintains temperature and the passive solar (southern exposure) gain,” says Levin, who worked with Mason-Dixon Technologies to incorporate these energy-efficient techniques. Low-maintenance Hardiplank lap siding, installed by C.H. Siding Co. Inc., is applied over the ICFs.
Lite-Deck, a strong insulated flooring system, creates open spans up to 40 feet in the great room, while seven-zone in-floor radiant heat, which uses PEX tubing and tailor-made panels designed by Hannel Radiant Direct and installed by Isbell, provides warm floors throughout the home. The two-zone central air conditioning system put in by Dynatemp Inc. features an energy recovery ventilator, electronically-controlled modulating dampers, and ultraviolet and HEPA filters for comfort, safety, and efficiency. The homeowners also chose MANABLOC, a manifold water distribution system with a dedicated water line to each fixture that is manufactured by Vanguard and was installed by Mark Brew Plumbing. This system uses less water, conserves energy, and provides ultra-fast hot water delivery. A separate sub-meter for irrigation saves on the water bill.
In Step With Sustainable
Bearable, allowable, and tolerable – other words for sustainable – weren’t in Levin and Isbell’s vocabulary when planning their environmentally-sensitive home. While energy efficiency was at the top of their list, design was important as well.
Attracted to Arts and Crafts-style homes, Levin visited one local residence to gather information about “untraditional” craftsman design. She knew that adding contemporary elements to this classic style would give her the home she and her husband wanted. “It’s an interesting blend of two home styles,” says Janelle Marshall, design consultant with Distinctive Designs by Janelle, who worked with Levin on selecting color palettes, fabrics, and furnishings. “Colors and fabrics are Janelle’s forte,” Levin says.
After Levin investigated bamboo and alternate flooring options, she went with wide-plank white oak flooring harvested from forests approved by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which works to protect depleting species. There are hundreds of lesser-known woods available that reduce the strain on popular varieties. The owners also chose BonaKemi water-based finishes for the floors installed by Olde Towne Hardwood Floors, low VOC paints for the walls, and oil-rubbed bronze hardware from Emtek Products Inc. for the doors.
For the kitchen design, Jan Zhuge, Melissa Codol, and Lori Hilty, designers at Ferguson Enterprises, assisted with the selection of appliances, faucets, and the Decora cherry wood cabinetry in a Coriander Coffee finish.
Progressive Thinking
Working with Hilty on lighting, Levin decided on the Lutron RadioRA dimming system, which saves energy and gives them control over levels of light with a touch of a button. The security system, installed by Central Maryland Security Systems Inc., links to the lighting so they can monitor systems inside and outside the home. Soundworks incorporated the stereo system throughout the residence.
While the homeowners kept the pool table on the main floor for lively nightly games, the main level owners’ suite is a Zen-style sanctuary, Levin says. A central dressing room with walk-in and linen closets organized by Capitol Closet Design separates the bedroom from the bathroom featuring a corner jetted tub, twin vanities, and limestone tiles on the floor and in the open shower. The expensive honed tiles were a luxury, says Levin, who found some of the travertine flooring for the powder room at auction.
On the porch, which features a vaulted ceiling and screens built and installed by Isbell, the homeowners used Ipe decking, while outside the driveway’s EP Henry pavers, with design by Concepts & Contours and installation by Serra Stone Corporation, reduce runoff into the storm drain system. Abrahams Lawn Service added the plantings and TLC Incorporated installed lighting and outdoor irrigation. Levin is also investigating the use of roof cisterns for additional irrigation.
While the home was just completed, when Levin and Isbell started down the eco- friendly path about four years ago, the resources were limited. “When there wasn’t a clear-cut choice, I erred on the cautious side and selected materials that would last longer,” Levin says. Even though today sustainable and green product choices are more numerous, Levin and Isbell may still have taken the paths they chose years ago. They put their footprints on and literally in this concrete house built with modern techniques, but also with the warmth of a turn-of-the-century home.
