Green Me Now

When it comes to green retrofits, a lot of the thinking and some of the doing are straightforward. Much has been known about incorporating sustainable energy design features for a long time, going back well before the temporarily inspiring energy crisis of the 1970s.

Passive solar design is one example. The 1940s renovation of a summer retreat built nearly a century ago in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area was undertaken by an efficiency minded--if not forward thinking--architect. “Golden Spring,” as it was known, suffered a fire in 1942. Its rehab became the mission of architect Henry N. Wright, whose interests included low-cost renovation, energy efficiency and modern design, transforming Golden Spring into the sustainable Ramirez Solar House.

In true sustainable form, Wright salvaged materials from the burned wreck. He reused portions in the remodeling and included a large window wall of early double-paned glass to improve the building's energy efficiency, according to the Pocono Record. Generous overhangs are another feature of the design.

A 2001 energy study shows that the house draws 18% of its winter heat from the sun via the window wall. And counter to the trend apparent in home construction practices of the 1940s, Wright took insulation seriously: the attic and walls received four to six inches of mineral wool. Comparative performance simulations indicate that improvements to the envelope and the addition of thermal mass would further improve thermal performance.

"It’s a prime example of how a handful of mid-20th century architects and designers [used] some of the oldest principles of energy-efficient building design," says John Donahue, superintendant at the state park where the house resides, in the report. And it’s one of the oldest examples of sustainable design, he adds.

The house is now up for restoration, thanks to funding from the National Park Service. Lead paint removal, repainting, and repairs to the steam-heating, plumbing, sewage and electrical systems are underway, expected to be completed next summer.

A modern counterpart to this early effort might be the Steamboat Springs, CO, home of Olympic snowboarder Thedo Remmelink. It too includes use of passive solar energy and recognizes the value of insulation. The modern three-bedroom ranch, sitting on 42 acres, is also an illustration of how “sustainable” is in the eye of the beholder.

Among the big differences between the two projects is that the Remmelink home is a new build effort while Golden Spring is a renovation.

For insulation, the 2,400-square-foot Colorado home uses straw bales in the north and west walls and blown cellulose elsewhere. Structural insulated panels are used in the roof.

The north-facing wall gets some protection from a small hill, which aids the straw bales in keeping out the cold. South-facing bay windows welcome the sun, and a central heating mass surrounds a wood/gas fireplace.

Remmelink complements his passive solar heat with radiant heating in a 5-inch concrete slab. His cooling is passive, too, relying on cross ventilation.

Exterior materials include cedar siding and local stone; local stone is also used indoors. The open ranch features a living room with 20-foot ceilings, allowing a great influx of sunlight through tall windows. A deep overhang shelters the patio in front of the entry.

There's no telling what 1940s-era architect Wright would think of the Remmelink ranch. Both houses clearly measure up in terms of energy efficiency and design ideas of the day. And although the word "sustainable" can be applied to both projects, Wright's emphasis on the low end  of costs stands in contrast Remmelink's.