New Moon Dream

Imagine…

Imagine you found a spectacular site for your new home. It has a panoramic view to the South with absolutely no signs of civilization – as if before humanity arrived.

It’s so peaceful,  it like you’re wrapped in deafening silence. 

Let’s call it New Moon Dream.

And your architect asks you to reimagine, to challenge conventional thinking, from the foundation to finishes, so you will “live better”. 

This case study illustrates how you can live with more savings, better health, and how you may age in place with grace, real comfort, peace of mind. And also, you’ve done your part for a stronger and more sustainable future. It focuses on a steadfast commitment to a project’s financial feasibility using an authentic zero-emissions design process. A home so efficient, it requires only a few solar panels to generate as much power as it uses year-round. In this case, given its location, this study extends to off-grid power and water. 

No well, no public water supply. 

This approach yielded an exceptional design that is beautiful, contextual, and practical. But what we are doing here actually is redefining the meaning of “beauty”.

While this is indeed just a dream for now, it is applicable to almost all building types:  all densities of multifamily, commercial, institutional, spiritual and recreational.

In the context of Climate Disruption, an architect’s design process must include an “authentic zero-emissions protocol”. This depends on building science, on informing oneself using 21st century energy modeling. Kreger chose to allow PHIUS, Passive House Institute US http://PHIUS.org to inform him.

Double Zero Home

A new Double Zero Home to be built in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is now emerging from its design phase...

“Double Zero simply means Zero Water Ready and Zero Energy Ready. ”

— Bob Kreger

Kreger Design Build designs and builds climate-responsive buildings informed by the globally emerging Passive House Standard together with advanced water conservation strategies. Located at 6,720 ft above sea level in the semi-arid mountain and mesa lands with views of two mountain ranges, weather extremes and water challenges inspired the owners and design team to prove "Double Zero CAN be done". In the context of winter temperature extremes occasionally dropping below zero for days and of historic precipitation averages receding into the New Norm of increasingly diminished annual rainfall (Climate Change), Double Zero seemed a logical choice.

Defining and validating these innovative practices requires a third-party verification to lift them from assertions to practical solutions. In this case the design team chose:

• the WERS program (Water Efficiency Rating Score) to become Zero Water Ready

• the HERS (Home Energy Rating System) Index to become Zero Energy Ready.

Zero Water in this case means rooftop collection and storage of rainwater using RainVessels (as well as reuse of grey water) for up to 100% of interior water demands including potable and non-potable needs.  

Potential zero water validation comes from an innovative  third-party verification water modeling software that generates a Water Efficiency Rating Score, or WERS.                                                                         

Developed by the Green Builder Coalition, in cooperation with Build Green New Mexico, Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association, and members of the City of Santa Fe Water Conservation Committee, it uses measurable parameters, along with a scoring scale of 100 down to 0, with zero being the most desirable. WERS' primary criteria focuses on reducing potable water demand in:

• indoor water uses by employing conservation strategies

• outdoor water conservation strategies including the EPA WaterSense program.

Zero Energy in this case refers to a zero energy building (ZEB), using advanced energy conservation design and construction strategies, substantial energy demand reductions can drive this home's HERS Rating to Zero Energy Ready, Near Zero Energy or Zero Energy. HERS also uses a scoring scale of 100 down to 0 with zero being the most desirable. In general, Zero Energy is an efficient, grid-connected solution using energy primarily from renewable sources to compensate for its own energy demand.

This first Double Zero Home's Zero Energy target is currently in process towards third-party verification to become a Passive House certified under the PHIUS+ 2015 program which was developed by the Passive House Institute US. A certified Passive House provides not only extremely low energy demand but also superior comfort, indoor air quality, durability and resilience against oncoming climate change.                                                                                                            

The PHIUS+ 2015 certification also includes other national third-party programs:        

• the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home program

• the EPA ENERGY STAR (Version 3) program

• the EPA ENERGY STAR Indoor airPLUS program.

Zero Energy Ready means future-proofing this home to easily become a net-zero-source energy home by 2030 in conformance with the Architecture 2030 Challenge.

Of course there are no Zero Water Ready and Zero Energy Ready people, just buildings. 

Users' habits and choices greatly influence the Double Zero outcome.

Despite sharing the name "Zero Net Energy", several connotations define ZNB's in practice:

• Zero Net SITE Energy use:

A "Zero Net Site Energy" building means the amount of energy provided by on-site renewable energy sources is equal to the amount of energy used by the building.

• Zero Net SOURCE Energy use:

This ZNB generates the same amount of energy as is used, including the energy used to transport energy to the building from external sources (i.e.power plants). It accounts for losses during electricity transmission and it must generate more electricity than zero net site energy buildings. PHIUS identifies a national average ratio of 3.16 more source energy than site energy.

• Net Zero Energy EMISSIONS:

Also known as a zero carbon building or zero emissions building ZEB, under this definition the carbon emissions generated from on-site or off-site non-renewable fuels use are balanced by the amount of on-site renewable energy production. Other definitions include not only the carbon emissions generated by the building in use, but also those generated in the construction of the building and the embodied energy of the structure.   

• Net Zero COST:

In this metric, the cost of purchasing energy is balanced by income from sales of electricity to the grid of electricity generated on-site. Such a status depends on how a utility credits net electricity generation and the utility rate structure the building uses.

PHIUS lists both SITE and SOURCE energy use as important energy metrics to define performance.                                                                  

Choosing an Architect-Led Design/Build Provider

Choosing an Architect-Led Design/Build Provider indeed takes careful consideration. You need the 'right' architect, qualified by experience and by a skill-set for your vision. Then the 'right' builder must appear. I am both a licensed architect and a licensed contractor specializing in high performance homes. 

In my experience, the best way to discover whether Kreger Design Build is a good 'fit' is to fully understand what you are looking for. This is achieved through our Initial Consultation Session. This may or may not be me! 

My Initial Consultation ... The First Step: 

• Before you purchase land: Obtain a licensed architect's opinion of feasibility for your project or at least start with a site visit. Bob Recommends! Bob Kreger is a well-known architect/builder with a 20+-year track record producing custom residential homes in northern New Mexico. (He has over 30 years experience total.)

• Produces an outline design program

• Discusses potential design solutions

• Discusses the 'look and feel' of these ideas

• Familiarizes you with issues unique to New Mexico

• Provides guidance on a very preliminary outline budget ...What are the major issues?

• Empowers you with a One Page Action Plan

• Produces all of the above in a Report just for you. This Report includes a Schedule of Services and Fees Proposal for the next stages of your project.

• Note that the Consultation cost is credited to your account upon progression to the next stage.

"A doctor wouldn't operate without a proper diagnosis. This Initial Consultation works in the same way. It starts with a strategy designed to precisely understand your requirements. Then it gives you findings, recommendations and a plan to move forward with a timeline and a budget."