Houzz Tour: Small Changes Earn a Top Green Rating
Remodeling for energy efficiency and sustainability within a quaint town's codes wins LEED platinum certification for a midcentury home
Carmel-by-the-Sea in California has a set of midcentury homes, but according to architect Mary Ann Schicketanz, most are either neglected or underappreciated. Schicketanz's clients, a couple in the energy industry, knew the architectural heritage of their hidden gem. "They really wanted to honor their home's midcentury roots and, given their background, sustainably renovate their home," she says.
Her clients asked for a stronger indoor-outdoor connection and another room — without increasing the footprint of the existing home. As they moved forward with their vision of creating a green home, the LEED points started adding up. "We abided by Carmel's residential zoning ordinances, but we were still able to bring a tired house into the 21st century by making it safe and energy efficient," the architect says. "We've given it new life for many more years to come."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple, their toddler and 2 cats
Location: Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Size: 1,843 square feet
That's interesting: This is the first LEED platinum-certified house in Carmel.
Her clients asked for a stronger indoor-outdoor connection and another room — without increasing the footprint of the existing home. As they moved forward with their vision of creating a green home, the LEED points started adding up. "We abided by Carmel's residential zoning ordinances, but we were still able to bring a tired house into the 21st century by making it safe and energy efficient," the architect says. "We've given it new life for many more years to come."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple, their toddler and 2 cats
Location: Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Size: 1,843 square feet
That's interesting: This is the first LEED platinum-certified house in Carmel.
Instead of adding to the footprint of the existing home, the team installed a retractable roof over the dining room (background in photo). Fir wall panels and wood and camel tones warm up the white rooms.
New double-pane glass windows, recycled denim insulation and radiant heat greatly improved the comfort of the house.
New double-pane glass windows, recycled denim insulation and radiant heat greatly improved the comfort of the house.
The clients didn't get their outdoor dining area, but the new retractable roof over the dining table brings in sunshine and fresh air with the push of a button. "You can have an outdoor dining experience without having to step outdoors," says Schicketanz.
Rectractable roof: Rollamatic Roofs
Rectractable roof: Rollamatic Roofs
Every room works hard for the family, especially the living room and adjacent open kitchen.
Furniture: clients' own
Furniture: clients' own
The couple likes to cook and entertain, so the kitchen is used every day. Schicketanz and her team extended the kitchen into an adjacent hallway and found ways to add generous storage while maintaining an open feel.
Kitchen: Ikea; backsplash: Heath Ceramics; countertops: Ceasarstone
Kitchen: Ikea; backsplash: Heath Ceramics; countertops: Ceasarstone
The study doubles as a cozy guest room and extends the warm woods, bright white and mustard yellow accents found throughout the rest of the house.
Schicketanz delights in how she and her team successfully blended new materials, like white high-gloss resin for the floors, with the existing fir wall paneling and exposed ceiling framing. Above the bed, transom windows frame the lush landscape outside.
Folding NanaWall doors open the master bedroom to the roof deck, where the clients can enjoy views of Monterey cypress trees and the Pacific Ocean.
"We are proud to show how small, careful interventions can give a house all of the modern comforts while preserving a home built of simple wood stud construction over 50 years ago," says Schicketanz.
Tiles: Ann Sacks
Tiles: Ann Sacks
Sponsored
"We had to work closely with city staff to introduce new materials which are not encouraged by the city but are compatible with midcentury design, such as cementitious siding, aluminium windows and white membrane for the roofing for solar reflectivity," says Schicketanz.