the first optimum performance home

Gary Reber

DESIGNoptimum performance home

Introduction

This is the twentieth article in the series, documenting thedesign and construction of the first Optimum PerformanceHome®. The home has been under construction now for overtwo years, after more than five years of design and plandevelopment work. Construction financing is being providedby San Francisco-based New Resource Bank, a communitybank chartered to fund “green” projects.

The project was selected by the U.S. Green BuildingCouncil (USGBC) for inclusion in the national Leadership InEnergy & Environmental Design (LEED®) for Homes pilot pro-gram, the nation’s most challenging green build certification ini-tiative, and the home is expected to exceed the pointsrequired for Platinum certification.

Nichoel Farris, a LEED Accredited Professional with theCalifornia USGBC’s designated “provider” organization DavisEnergy Group, based in Sacramento, California, visited theconstruction site in March and following a three-hour-plusinspection determined that the home would exceed the creditrequirements for Platinum certification, even without credit forthe large 37-unit high-performance premium photovoltaicDay4 Energy® 48MC module 6.66-kW solar PV system, whichis designed for installation on the south-facing roof of the ded-icated Optimum Performance Home Theatre™ (see Part XII,Issue 12, November/December 2007) and the future wind tur-bine system, under development. Nichoel was impressed thatthe home exceeded the Platinum credits even though the home islarger than the typical Platinum-certified home, and at the home,

synopsisThe Uponor® AquaSAFE™ Residential Fire SafetySystem is an interconnected grid of plumbing fixtures and sprinklers, providing a reliable, non-stagnant system that confirms fresh water is available to the sprinklers each time a cold-waterplumbing fixture is used.

The WaterFurnace International, Inc. geoexchangesystem (also commonly referred to as a ground-source heat-pump system or geothermal heat-pump system) consists of three main components––the heat pump, which is the foundation of the system (manufactured byWaterFurnace); a closed-loop vertical “well” system, which is drilled into the Earth on site(Weeks Drilling & Pump Company); and water,which is circulated between the ground loop andthe heat pump in high-density polyethylene pipe.

The Apricus Solar Collector or Solar Water Heateris a device that absorbs thermal energy from thesun and converts it into usable heat.

A Navien America NR-240A Condensing 98%Tankless Water Heater is the most efficient on-demand tankless water heater on the market. TheNavien utilizes “condensing technology” toachieve a 98 percent efficiency rating.

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Architectural Illustration By Ronald Devesa

exterior and interior infrastructurepart XX

The First Optimum Performance Home®

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✎Ultimate Home Design • Issue 20 • May 201024 /37 For more information on this advertiser, circle 09

due to the high-performance building systems employed,exceeds California building code requirements and CaliforniaTitle 24 standards by 37.3 percent above the minimum.

The home is being built at The Sea Ranch, located in SonomaCounty, along the Northern California coastline of the PacificOcean, approximately 110 miles north of San Francisco.

To document the day-to-day construction of the home, an iBeamSystems time-lapse construction camera has been up and run-ning since construction started in early 2008. Visitwww.ultimatehomedesign.com/oph.php and then click on the“Optimum Performance Home Build Cam” button. Photos are cap-tured and automatically uploaded to iBeam’s secure server every 15minutes from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day. The images caneasily be e-mailed or printed to document job site conditions. Toview time-lapse archive images, enter the user name ophsearanchand the password ophsearanch. These monthly videos are com-prised of the daily time-lapse images taken during each monththe iBeam System has operated, dating back to April 2008.


“The science of optimum performance homes concerns itselfwith building structures that useless energy, are quieter and morecomfortable, have fewer problemswith material degradation, provideclean air and water, and do lessdamage to the environment.”

Using iBeam’s technology and an “always on”GetWireless AirLink Raven X EVDO V4221-VA and AirLinkDual-Band EVDO Antenna, our team is able to view a high-resolution photo archive of the entire project daily, includingstunning 1920 x 1080p (progressive) high-definition time-lapse movies each month (see a standard-resolution ver-sion at www.ultimatehomedesign.com/oph-photos.php).

Upon completion, the entire construction photo archivewill be featured as a 1080p high-definition time-lapse movie andwill become part of a high-definition television program andeducational documentary that Steve Michelson Productionsand I are producing.

Ultimate Home Design® Concept

The showcase project is exemplary of the “UltimateHome Design®” concept, which integrates age-friendly, uni-versal design with the best sustainable building practices,while exerting minimal impact on the environment. Universaldesign is the inclusive, non-discriminatory design of prod-ucts, buildings, environments, and urban infrastructure; aswell as information technologies that are accessible to anduseable by (almost) all. With respect to home design, theidea is to design and build homes that have no physicalbarriers, thus sustaining people of all ages and all capabili-ties in a functional, comfortable, and aesthetic lifestyle.

A building-science systems approach to home buildingis the cornerstone of the project, with emphasis on the rela-tionship between the home’s components and the envelopeit creates. Also paramount is good stewardship—properregard and respect for the rights of neighboring homeown-ers and the surrounding natural setting, and resource effi-ciency. The goal is to optimize occupant health, comfort,and safety; maximize energy efficiency and structural dura-bility; and minimize environmental impact. In addition, theaim is toward providing a nurturing home environment tosupport independent living and sustainable lifestyles.

Part I of this case study series appeared in Issue 1,January/February 2006. The introductory article covered the

The First Optimum Performance Home®

At The Sea Ranch


Ultimate Home Design • Issue 20 • May 201026 /37 Ultimate Home Design • Issue 20 • May 2010Page 3/37 27

The Sea Ranch, Sonoma County, California


project scope. Thereafter, each issuehas contained a part of the continuingseries by working through site planningand preparation; Low-ImpactDevelopment (LID); further refinementsto the site plan and drainage design;The Sea Ranch Design Committee-approved architectural/structural andgrading/drainage submittals, with con-ditions that translated to clarificationson certain building components andmaterial finishes; particular aspects ofthe home’s mechanical plan; structuralaspects of foundations, structural wallsincorporating Insulating ConcreteForms (ICFs), and Structural InsulatedPanels (SIPs), as well as SIP roofing;the acoustical design of the dedicatedOptimum Performance Home Theatre™

and rear-projection room; interiordesign approaches and materials;kitchen, bath, and home fixtures; uni-versal design architecture; fire-risk miti-gation; energy generation; and thecourtyard experience. “BreakingGround” was the title of Part XIII, alongwith “Courtyard Experience.” Part XIVand XV, respectively, covered the initialcontinuing phases of “Site AndFoundation Preparation.” Part XVI andPart XVII further expanded on the “Siteand Foundation Preparation,” as didPart XVIII. Part XIX focused on exteriorwork and the construction of the home’sinterior infrastructure.

The initial site grading, foundation,and mechanical, plumbing, electrical,and low-voltage infrastructure stageshave been completed. This complexand leading-edge under-slab infra-structure work has been documentedin the day-to-day time-lapse photogra-phy and archived photos on theUltimate Home Design Web site. Alsodocumented is the erection of theAmvic® ICF walls and the AmvicAmDeck® ICF floor to support the guestbedrooms and library/home theatre/sur -round music room, as well as the ISHNThermaSAVE SIP walls and roof.

Completion of the home was antici-The elevations of the Optimum Performance Home atThe Sea Ranch

pated for April 2009 but due to themortgage market collapse and thecredit crunch, the project was impact-ed and its completion jeopardized. Theproject was impacted by the cold reali-ties of the credit freeze. Constructionwas stopped at the end of January.Fortunately we were able to renegotiatetwo extensions of our construction loanwith New Resource Bank, to enable thecompletion of the home, now anticipat-ed to be June or early July, 2010. Otherunforeseen obstacles and disruptivecircumstances related to the SIP fabri-cation further delayed the project.

Unfortunately, The Sea RanchAssociation, which has been extremelydifficult to work with during the designand construction stages, continues tofine our project each month due tonon-completion within 12 months of theissuance of its permit. The constructiondelays have resulted due to site andweather conditions and other circum-stances not in our control. TheAssociation’s Department of Design,Compliance & EnvironmentalManagement conducts automaticinspections every 30 days and finesour project as per the Board ViolationPolicy. The Sea Ranch Association hasextended no support for the project.Our experience is true to the song, “It’sNot Easy Being Green,” with noencouragement or support from gov-erning entities, even though this is an“extreme green” national showcasehome that is slated to receive the pres-tigious Platinum certification under theLEED for Homes program of the U.S.Green Building Council. Then too, theproject encountered, once again,severe rain storms in February andMarch of 2009, which further delayedrecommencement of construction.Construction resumed in April 2009,but then severe rain storms in Januaryand February 2010, again delayedconstruction.

It is our intent to produce a high-definition documentary for educational


use by the U.S. Green Building Council, the organization who created the LEED forHomes rating and certification program, and for other “green” chartered organiza-tions. Our presentation will reveal the step-by-step process for creating the firstOptimum Performance Home––expected to be one of the highest rated LEED forHomes Platinum projects in the world! Separately, we have produced an HDpromo, which was requested by Planet Green, a network-owned by the DiscoveryChannel. This promo will be promoted to secure national television distribution of aprogram on the home, which we have titled, the Ultimate Home Series. One canview the promo at www.ultimatehomedesign.com/oph-media.php. We are continu-ing our digital photography and high-definition video production efforts to docu-ment the construction of the home. Hundreds of still digital photos are available forviewing at www.ultimatehomedesign.com/oph-photos.php.

Construction Scheduling

Below is the breakdown of the initial site preparation, grading process, foundationwork, engineered suspended slab, the Amvic ICF wall and AmDeck ICF floor construc-tion, WaterFurnace® geothermal vertical fields, the large pond, the EcoRain™ under-ground water cistern, above slab SIP walls and roofing, courtyard, and interior con-strction. An outline will be provided in Part XXI for the next stage of constructionrelating to the interior preparation and finishing.

Pre-Construction Start MeetingsSite Work

• Clear Lot Vegetation• Lay Out House Pad• Install Curtain Drain Around Pad• Excavate Optimum Performance Home Theatre, Alcove, and Wine Cellar• Lay Out Footings• Install Temporary Electrical Power• Install iBeam Systems Time-Lapse Pro Construction Camera (See Part XIII)• Install GetWireless and WildBlue Internet Transmission• Activate Water Service• Form Underground ICF Home Theatre, Alcove, and Wine Cellar Walls• Verify Foundations’ Site Placement/Inspection• Rough Excavation Large Pond and Septic Trench to Designated Leech Field• Install StormTech Infiltration Chambers (See Parts II, III, and IV)

Foundations• Dig Initial Stage Foundation Footings and Install French Drain• Pour First Stage Engineered Controlled Density Fill (CDF) Concrete with Portland Cement and

Headwaters Resources Fly Ash (See Part VI)• Set Forms; Tie Rebar Steel, Hold Downs, and Anchor Bolts• Pour Final Stage Foundation Footing Concrete with Portland Cement, Headwaters Resources Fly

Ash, Kryton’s KIM Admixture, Euclid Eucon A+ Type A, and FORTA FERRO Admixture (See Part VI andXV)

• Run Spunstrand Acoustically Treated Air-Conditioning Duct for Home Theatre (See Part V)• Conduit Trenching for Uponor AquaPEX Plumbing (See Parts V and X)• Run Armacell Insulated Uponor AquaPEX Hot and Cold Water Tubing (See Part XVIII)• Run Plumbing Waste• Run Wardflex Flexible Corrugated Stainless Steel Fuel Gas Tubing (See Part V)• Run Underground Drain from Wine Cellar to StormTech Infiltrator Chambers Located Across the

Property Frontage• Install Gravel Around Plumbing• Run Plumbing Conduit and Supply• Run Electrical and Low-Voltage Conduit• Lay Out NuTone Central Vacuum System (See Parts IX and X)• Run WaterFurnace Geothermal Supply and Return Tubing• Finalize Underslab Infrastructure• Install EnergyEdge ICF Frame Building Insulated Form Around Perimeter of Slab (See Part XIV and

XV)• Underslab Inspection• Place Gravel and Sand Underslab• Install Cosella-Dörken DELTA-MS UNDERSLAB (See Part XIV)• Install AMF Corporation R-Control Perform Guard EPS Underslab Insulation (See Part XIV)

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• Install Mapei Opticolor Epoxy Grout (SeePart XIX)

• Install UltraGlas Serengeti Low HorizontalDimensional Glass Backdrop in Courtyard (SeePart XX)

Interior• Construct Interior Walls With Dietrich

UltraSTEEL Framing Studs And Drywall Tracks(See Part XIX)

• Install Johnson Hardware Series 2000 HeavyDuty Pocket Door Kits and Barn Door Kits (SeePart XX)

• Install PEARL (Permanent Escape AndResue Ladder) Fire Safety Ladders (See Part XVIII)

• Treat Interior Wood Beams and Framing withNo-Burn Fire Retardants (See Part XIX)

• Install RSF Wood-Burning Fireplaces’ Delta 2Fireplace (See Part XX)

• Install Five Dimplex Electric Fireplaces (SeePart XX)

• Install Kohler Escale BubbleMassage Bath inMaster Bedroom Suite Bathroom

• Install Sterling/Kohler OC-S-63 Series Rool-InShower Modules in Guest Vanity Bathroom

• Install Sterling/Kohler Accord Barrier-FreeBathing Module in Second Floor Guest Bathroom

• Install Uponor AquaSAFE Residential FireSafety System (See Part XIX)

• Install Aquacore Whole-Home Hollow-FiberUltrafiltration System (See Part XVIII)

• Install 120-gallon Insulated Solar ThermalStorage Tank

• Install the WaterFurnace InternationalGeothermal Heat-Pump System (See Part XX)

• Install Navien America NR-240A Condensing98% Tankless Water Heater (See Part XX)

• Install Extensive ENERGY STAR-QualifiedBroan SmartSense Ventilation System ThrougoutHome (See Part XX)

• Install Two Southwest Electric EnterprisesQuietCool Whisper Quiet Whole House Fans andCompanion EnviroCool Evaporative Cooling AirSystems (See Part XX)

• Complete Rough Plumbing and RoughElectrical

• Install Equi=Tech WQ20 Wall CabinetBalanced Power System in Rear-Projection Room(See Part XX)

iBeam Time-Lapse Pro Construction Camera Perspective 2010-04-15

• Prepare for In-Floor D-Box™ Technologies Custom Motion Platform In the Home Theatre (SeePart VII)

• Install Slab Rebar• Install Uponor AquaPEX Radiant Floor Tubing (See Part XIV and XV)• Pour Concrete Slab with Portland Cement, Headwaters Resources Fly Ash, Kryton’s KIM

Admixture, Euclid Eucon Admixture (See Part VI), and Forta Ferro (See Part XVI)• Backfill Courtyard and Spa Area• Install Zurn Flo-Thru Trench Drain (See Part XIV and XV)• Install NuTone Central Vacuum System (See Part XIV and XV)• Install Extensive Electrical and Connectivity Conduit• Pour Concrete Slab with Portland Cement, Headwaters Resources Fly Ash, Kryton’s KIM

Admixture, Euclid Eucon Admixture (See Part VI), and Forta Ferro (See Part XVI)• Install AMF Corporation R-Control Perform Guard EPS Around Perimeter of Slab Under

EnergyEdge (See Part XIV and XV)• Waterproof Concrete Stem Walls with Carlisle BARRICOAT-R (See Part XVI)• Backfill Foundation• Treat Concrete Slab with Nisus Corporation Bora-Care Termite Barrier Pretreatment (See

Part XX)

Exterior• Construct Amvic ICF Walls (See Part XVI and XVII)• Construct Amvic AmDeck ICF Floor (See Part XVIII)• Pour Concrete Into Amvic ICFs and AmDeck (See Part XVIII)• Waterproof ICF Walls with Carlisle BARRICOAT-R (See Part XVIII)• Apply Cosella-Dörken DELTA-DRY Ventilated Rainscreen Air Barrier to ICF Walls (See Part XVIII)• Apply Fiber Cement MaxiPanel and MaxiTrim Cladding to ICF Walls (See Part XIX)• Construct Simpson Strong-Tie Strong-Wall Shearwalls• Construct Firewood and Trash Shed• Install Underground 500-Gallon Propane Tank• Construct Owens Corning QuietZone Acoustic Wall Framing Studs (See Part XVIII)• Position Dimension One Amoré Bay Spa in Courtyard (See Part XIX)• Install Kohler BodySpa Ten-Jet Tower Shower in Courtyard (See Part XIX)• Dig Five 310-Feet Deep Bore Holes for WaterFurnace Geothermal System (See Part XIX)• Pressure Test and Install WaterFurnace U-Bend Piping• Fill Geothermal Bore Holes with Dyna-Crete Bentonite Grout• Construct ThermaSAVE SIP Walls (See Part XIX)• Apply Fiber Cement MaxiPanel and MaxiTrim Cladding to SIP Walls (See Part XIX)• Install Roofing Structural Members

• Construct Optimum Performance Home TheatreStructural Ceiling

• Install ThermaSAVE SIP Walls (See Part XIX)• Install ThermaSAVE SIP Roofing (See Part XIX)• Install Cosella-Dörken DELTA-FOXX Class A Fire-Rated

Roof Underlayment (See Part XIX)• Install Batten Plus’ BattenUP Corrugated Plastic Roof

Battens (See Part XIX)• Install Trimline Building Products Black Composite

Distinction Slate on SIP Roofs (See Part XIX)• Install Attic Breeze Solar Attic Fan (See Part XIX)• Install Pella Windows and Doors Along with Fortifiber’s

FortiFlash Flashing (See Part XIX)• Install VELUX Skylights (See Part XIX)• Install Wasco Pinnacle Pyramid Skylight (See Part XIX)• Seal Exterior with DOW FROTH-PAK Foam Insulation

(See Part XIX)• MoonDance Painting Application of L.M. Scofield’s

LITHOCHROME Tintura Dark WalnutStain (See Part XIX)• Install Custom Carriage House Garage Doors (See

Part XIX)• Erect Lindal SunRooms Glass Vestibule, Walkway, and

Solarium Structures (See Part XX)• Instal EcoVantage’s PerfikDek EcoPrem Wood Decking

in Spa Area (See Part XX)• Instal EcoVantage’s PerfikDek EcoPrem Wood Decking

in Master Bedroom Deck Area (See Part XX)• Install UNIRAC CLICKSYS mounting systems on South

Facing Roofs of Guest Bedrooms and Optimum PerformaceHome Theatre (See Part XX)

• Install Apricus Solar Collector Water Heater System(See Part XX)

• Install Revere Copper/CopperCraft Copper Guttersand Downspouts (See Part XIX)

• Apply Nisus Corporation’s Bora-Care as a PrimaryTermite Barrier Pretreatment (See Part XIX)

• Install Daltile Continntal Slate ColorBody PorcelainField Tile Flooring in Courtyard (See Part XIX)

• Install Oregon Shepherd Wool Insulation inSelected Wall Areas (See Part XX)

• Install Acoustiblok Reinforced Dense NoiseIsolating & Sound Proofing Membrane in SelectInterior Walls and Ceilings (See Part XX)

• Hang Serious Materials QuietRock®

Wallboard (See Part XX)• Mount Owens Corning SelectSound® Black

Acoustic Board to the QuietRock Walls in Rear-Projection Room (See Part XX)

• Hang Georgia Pacific (GP) ToughRockGypsum Wallboard (See Part XX)

• Apply A/V RoomService (AVRS) RoomDamp2Controlled Viscoelastic Damping (SoundAbsorbing) Compound to Optimum PerformanceTheatre Georgia Pacific (GP) Tough Rock GypsumWallboard (See Part XX)

• Install Industrial Acoustics Company (IAC)Noise Rated Doors at Optimum PerformanceHome Theatre and Rear Projection RoomEntrances (See Part XX)

• Pull Monster Cable CAT6, RG6, CL-RatedLoudspeaker, and HDMI Cable in ConduitThroughout Home (See Part XX)

• Staple Phase Change Energy Solutions’BioPCM™ Energy-Saving Thermal TransferenceCeiling Mats on Exposed Ceilings Between theFurring Strips Throughout the Home (See Part XX)

• Instal AKW Tuff-Form Baarrier-Free LevelThreshold Shower Pan (See Part XX)

• Install KraftMaid Honey Spice CherryHardwood Cabinetry (See Part XX)

• Apply Frezee Paint EnviroKote Primer (SeePart XIX and XX)

• Apply Tobias Stucco Natural Earthen WallFinish (See Part XIX and XX)

Wine Cellar• Construct Underground Wine Cellar with

Amvic ICFs (See Part XIV)• Pour Concrete into Amvic ICFs (See Part

XIV)• Construct Concrete Roof to Support Earth

Garden (See Part XV)• Waterproof Wine Cellar Walls with Carlisle

Coatings (See Part XV)• Install Weston Solutions GreenGrid Living

Herb Garden

Garages• Construct West Amvic ICF Garage Wall (See

Part XVII)• Pour Concrete into Amvic ICFs (See Part XVII)• Construct ThermaSAVE SIP Boat Garage

(See Part XVIII)

Propane System• Install Underground 500-Gallon Propane Tank

Septic System• Dig Septic Trench, Cut Road, Install Pipes,

Backfill Trench, and Repair Road• Install Roth MultiTank and FRALO Septic

Tank Underground (See Part XVIII)• Equip Septic Tanks with Orenco Risers, Float

Assemblies, In-Tank Filtration Systems, EffluentPumping Systems and Electrical Controls

• Install Sludgehammer Septic Tank Filter• Dig and Install Septic Leach Field

Geothermal System• Engage Weeks Drilling & Pump Company

Drilling of Five 310-Feet Deep Geoexchange BoreHoles (See Part XIX)

• Install WaterFurnace Geothermal U-BendPiping Lines (See Part XIX)

• Seal Bore Holes with Dyna-Crete HeatTransfer Sand and Bentonite Clay Grout (See PartXIX)

• Install WaterFurnace Envision Series HeatPumps (See Part XX)

Large Pond• Complete Final Excavation of Large Pond• Install CETCO Akwaseal Pond Liner Roll

Imagetextile Bentonite Clay Liner• Install Smart Drain Geotechnical Drains at

Large Pond Location• Install Agri Drain Inline Water Level Control

Structure as Part of Large and Small PondSystems

• Fill Pond with Spring And Rain Water• Treat Pond with Seepage Control ESS-13

Environmental Soil Sealant

Small Pond• Complete Final Excavation of Small Pond• Install CETCO Akwaseal Pond Liner Roll


Courtyard Kohler® Ten-Jet Tower BodySpa Shower, Finnleo® Sauna, Dimension One® Amoré Bay Spa, Revere Copper/CopperCraft Gutters, Trimline

Building Products Distinction™ Slate

Sebastopol, California-based WeeksDrilling & Pump Company, under thedirection of Chris Thompson, CEO,drilled the five 310-feet-deep geother-mal boreholes. This was an arduroustask that took two weeks to complete.

Don Bartlett of Bartlett MechanicalServices, along with Matthew Jung,were tasked with installing theWaterFurnace® geothermal system andcompleting the interface with theSpunstrand® underground acousticallydamped air-conditioning duct system forthe Optimum Performance HomeTheatre. Don also oversaw the installationof Uponor AquaPEX® radiant floor tubing.The Spunstrand system was construct-ed and installed by John Feeney andJerry Feeney.

Russell Peffer and William “Willy”Spratt, who both own their own inde-pendent plumbing companies, RussellPeffer Plumbing and Spratt Plumbingrespectively, have served as ourplumbers throughout most of 2009 tothe present. They have worked onevery aspect of the rough plumbing.

The exterior concrete roof of thewine cellar has yet to be protected witha BARRICOAT-R membrane manufac-tured by Carlisle Coatings &Waterproofing, Inc. Once completed,MiraDRAIN GR9200 will be appliedover the waterproof membrane. Thissheeted membrane is designed specif-ically for green roofs, garden roofs, andlarge planter applications (in our casean herb garden). Used with the BARRI-COAT-R waterproofing, this drainagecomposite provides adequate waterretention for sedums, grasses, andplant life, while providing a channel forexcess water to drain.

Construction of the structural interiorof the dedicated OptimumPerformance Home Theatre has beencompleted, including the installation ofthe spring-loaded Owens CorningQuietZone Acoustic Wall Framingstuds. (See Part VII for a description ofthe design of the Optimum Performance

Home Theatre.) The initial electricalwork has been completed and haspassed Sonoma County inspection.

This Issue

In this issue, the focus continues tobe on the various construction ele-ments related to site and above-foun-dation construction, and interior treat-ments including the interior connec-tions in the home and installation of theUponor AquaSAFE™ Residential FireSafety System.

Unlike competitive standalone firesprinkler systems, the Uponor AquaSAFEResidential Fire Safety System inte-grates into a home’s cold-water plumb-ing. It uses the same crosslinked poly-ethylene Uponor AquaPEX Engel-method (PEX-a) tubing that provideswater to the plumbing fixtures, so thereis always a ready supply of water to thesprinkler heads. Uponor’s PEX-a tubingfeatures the tightest bend radius of allPEX tubing—six times the tubing diam-eter—which eliminates added connec-tions required in rigid plumbing sys-tems. And unlike metal alternatives,PEX plumbing systems are immune tocorrosion, pitting, and mineral buildup.In the Optimum Performance Home,Uponor’s AquaPEX tubing is installed inconduit. Uponor’s 1⁄2- and 3⁄4-inch tub-ing is encased in red and blue high-density polyethylene (HDPE) corrugat-ed sleeves for added protection anddurability in soil and concrete-slabinstallations, and also allows forremoval and replacement, if necessary.The pre-sleeved corrugated AquaPEXis further insulated within the concreteslab with Armacell AP/Armaflex® pipeinsulation to retain more heat in hot-water lines and resist condensation oncold-water lines. The expandedclosed-cell structure of ArmacellAP/Armaflex pipe insulation makes it anefficient insulation for effectively reduc-ing heat loss on the hot-water plumb-ing and heat gain on the cold-water

plumbing systems. Further, an Uponor PEX plumbing system dampens rushingwater noise and eliminates water hammer and singing pipes.

For the AquaSAFE system, a dedicated manifold feeds 1⁄2-inch AquaPEX tub-ing directly to a special multi-port fire sprinkler fitting, which connects to the tubingvia Uponor’s unique ProPEX® fitting system, providing strong, durable connectionswithout the need for torches, glues, solvents or gauges. The four ports on the fit-ting feed the sprinkler as well as other sprinklers or plumbing fixtures in the sys-tem. The result is an interconnected grid of plumbing fixtures and sprinklers, pro-viding a reliable, non-stagnant system that confirms fresh water is available to thesprinklers each time a cold-water plumbing fixture is used. Each sprinkler is eitherrecessed or concealed behind a special plate that falls away when surroundingtemperatures reach 135 degrees Fahrenheit. (The sprinkler activates when temper-atures reach 150 degrees Fahrenheit.) And because the sprinklers respond toheat, not smoke, the odds of a malfunction are just one in 16 million. While smokedetectors alone increase survival rates by 50 percent, because they warn thehome’s inhabitants of an impending fire, adding sprinklers increases that to 97 per-cent. That’s because sprinklers can usually extinguish a beginning fire in seconds,even before the fire department arrives and before there’s major damage. Firereports show time and again that property damage is nine times lower in homesequipped with sprinkler systems. And homeowners with a fire safety sprinkler sys-tem typically save 10 percent off their yearly insurance premium.

The Uponor AquaPEX tubing in the Uponor AquaSAFE system has withstoodthe most extensive temperature and pressure tests for over 30 years and featuresa life expectancy of more than 100 years. In fact, Uponor is so confident in thedurability of the AquaPEX tubing and ProPEX fittings, it backs them with a 25-yearlimited warranty when installed by an Uponor-trained, licensed, professionalinstaller.

In addition, Uponor engineers designed the system for the OptimumPerformance Home according to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13Drequirements for fire sprinkler systems in one- and two-family homes. Licensedplumbers Russell Peffer and William “Willy” Spratt, with licensed contractor RogerStevenson, have completed installation of the system to Uponor specifications. TheFire Marshall for the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Service hassigned off on the installation.

As stated previously, we had to wait for the ground to dry up enough to supportthe heavy Weeks Drilling rig that was used to drill the geoexchange holes. WeeksDrilling & Pump Company completed the drilling of the bore holes over the course



• BARRICOAT-R is a waterproofing and vapor barrier membranedesigned for vertical surfaces, above or below ground appliedto the exterior ICF walls. MiraDRAIN 6200 is a high-performance,high-strength drainage composite consisting of a three-dimen-sional, high-impact polystyrene core, and a nonwoven filter fabric applied to the wine cellar ICF underground exterior walls.

Carlisle® Coatings & Waterproofing


• Owens Corning QuietZone Acoustic Wall Framing studs are specially engineered with built-in, acoustically resilient, spring-loaded metal clips designed to significantly reduce thesound vibration path and allow the wallboard on the inside of theroom to float and isolate sound wave vibrations.

Owens Corning QuietZone® Acoustical Wall Framing

• Uponor’s AquaSAFE™ Residential Fire SafetySystem integrates into a home’s cold water system.Water circulates each time cold water is used anddoes not remain stagnant, as with competitivestand-alone fire sprinkler systems.

Uponor® AquaSAFE™

Imagetextile Bentonite Clay Liner• Fill Pond with Spring And Rain Water• Treat Pond with Seepage Control ESS-13 Environmental

Soil Sealant

Underground Water Cistern• Install Stormwater Solutions EcoRain 2,400 Gallon Underground Water Cistern (See Part XVIII)• Install Firestone Specialty Products EPDM PondGuard Geomembrane Liner Over Water Cistern (See

Part XVIII)• Install Resource Conservation Technologies Sediment Filter and High-Efficiency Pump as Part Of

Water Cistern System (See Part XVIII)

John Feeney, who owns Feeney Construction, our previous on-site supervisingcontractor and lead carpenter, performed the foundation work and the constructionof the Amvic ICF walls. John did not return to the project. Roger Stevenson, ourelectrical contractor, who is also a fully licensed contractor, took over John’s role in2009 as our on-site supervising contractor and lead carpenter. Roger’s companiesare Sierra Pacific Builders and Stevenson Electric. For a six-month period hisbrother Dean, an architectural designer and builder, worked on the project andshared duties with Roger. The current crew consists of Alain Bernal, GabrielBernal, and Aaron Davila Romero, who all stayed on, plus Richard Howard, a car-penter, Axcel Bernal, and Steve Poulos, a contractor. This crew, plus specialistsubcontractors, has been responsible for the remaining construction. Various spe-cialist subcontractors have also contributed to the project, including TravisSwithenbank and his specialist crew at QUALCON on the construction of theAmvic ICF walls and Mic Carmichael of SIPBuilder, an experienced specialist in SIPdesign and construction, on the modifications and erection of the ISHN ThermaSAVESIP walls and roofs.

Matthew Jung, owner of 88HVAC, a Geothermal-Radiant-Solar company operat-ing in Marin-San Francisco-Burlingame, California, installed the WaterFurnacegeothermal supply and return tubing under the slab, and is working with ourplumbers to compete the connections for the elaborate geothermal hot water sys-tem.

• Uponor® 1/2- and 3/4-inch red and blue high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pre-sleeved corrugated AquaPEX®

tubing is designed for durability and provides protection forinstallation in the soil, allowing for easy removal.

Uponor® Pre-Sleeved Corrugated AquaPEX®

• The expanded closed-cell structure of ArmacellAP/Armaflex® pipe insulation makes it an efficient insulation for effectively reducing heat loss on the hotwater plumbing and heat gain on the cold water plumbing systems.

Armacell AP/Armaflex® Pipe Insulation

home comfort. The environmentallyfriendly WaterFurnace system savesmoney and delivers enhanced comfortand safe, quiet operation. WaterFurnacecalls it “Smarter From The Ground Up.”For more reading, see Lisa Meline’sarticle, “The Mechanical Engineer’sRole,” in Ultimate Home Design Issue5, September/October 2006 and RyanStauffer’s article, “Geothermal SystemsSave Homeowners Money And ProtectThe Environment” in Issue 11,September/October 2007.

WaterFurnace is a leader in thegeothermal heat pump industry.WaterFurnace Envision products estab-lished a new industry standard for effi-ciency, performance, reliability, andquiet operation. The ENERGY STAR®

Envison Series is the first to achieve acertified GLHP rating of 30 EER(Energy Efficiency Rating) and 500 per-cent efficiency (5 COP) in AHRI 13256-1. The Envision line is available inseven single-speed sizes (2 to 6 tons)with Copeland Scroll™ compressors.The product is also available in fivedual-capacity sizes (2 to 6 tons) withCopeland Scroll UltraTech™ compres-sors. Scroll compressors are widelyregarded throughout the industry asthe most durable and efficient com-pressor technology. The Envision unitsare equipped with sophisticated yetrobust microprocessor controls, com-pressor monitoring, and today’s bestdigital thermostats. In the OptimumPerformance Home we use two single-speed Envision units––NSOH48A101CELand NSW075A10HCC.

All Envision units utilize ozone-safeR-410A refrigerant, to meet the moststringent EPA requirements. Coated aircoils add durability and longer life.ECM blowers are used to increasecomfort and efficiency. A sophisticatedmicroprocessor control sequences allcomponents during operation for opti-mum performance, and provides easy-to-use troubleshooting features withfault lights and on-board diagnostics.



the ground loop and the heat pump inhigh-density polyethylene pipe (seeprevious WaterFurnace reference). Theground-loop portion of the geoex-change system uses the constant tem-perature of the Earth as a heat sourceinstead of natural gas or propane forincreasing the efficiency of an electricground-coupled heat pump. A heatpump can provide both heating andcooling, and it operates on the sametype of refrigeration cycles as conven-tional HVAC equipment. The differenceis that the ground-coupled heat pumpcan take 1 kW of electricity and turn itinto 3 or 4 kW of heating energy for thehome.

The WaterFurnace Envision Series isdesigned to dramatically reduce theannual costs for heating, cooling, andhot water in a home by as much as 70percent per year. No other gas furnace,air conditioner, or heat pump comesclose to the Envision’s efficiency. Theefficiency ratings of a geothermal sys-tem are up to five times higher thanconventional heating and cooling sys-tems. The EPA states that installing ageothermal system in a typical home isequal to planting an acre of trees ortaking two cars off the road in green-house gas reduction. The averagegeothermal system reduces carbonemissions by over 50 tons during itsoperational life span. In addition, cur-rent geothermal installations save morethan 14 million barrels of crude oil peryear. If one in 12 California homesinstalled a geothermal system, theenergy saved would equal the outputof nine new power plants.

WaterFurnace systems use theEarth’s ability to store heat energy as aperfect source for high-efficiency heat-ing and cooling. Lisa Meline of MelineEngineering, determined that the con-stant temperature of the Earth at ourbore hole depth is about 62 degreesFahrenheit. Using advanced technolo-gy, WaterFurnace systems tap into thatstored energy to provide year-round

An Emerson Comfort Alert is also included to monitor compressor operation andfaults. A hinged door and swing-out control box improves serviceability. Unit con-figurations include vertical top, bottom, or rear discharge (left or right return) andhorizontal units with left or right return, side or end discharge. Heavy-gauge metalcabinets are fully insulated and coated with an attractive and durable metallic sil-ver paint for long-lasting protection. The cabinet’s rounded front corners, bluewave styling element and gold nameplates add a touch of elegance to the unit.Envision products are performance-certified to AHRI/ISO 13256-1 standards, ETLlisted, and ENERGYSTAR qualified.

The benefits of a WaterFurnace Envision geothermal system are:• Energy Efficiency––WaterFurnace Envision systems are rated number one in

energy efficiency because they can deliver an astounding five units of energy forevery unit of electrical energy used. Compare that to even the best ordinary sys-tem that delivers less than one unit of energy for every unit it consumes. Thattranslates into an efficiency rating of 500 percent, compared to the most efficientgas furnace, which rates only 94 percent.

• Cost Effective––Because of the extraordinary efficiency of a WaterFurnacesystem, any added investment related to installing a geothermal unit is usuallymore than offset by energy savings. In new homes, most homeowners will experi-ence an immediate positive return on their investment when the system cost isadded to the mortgage. In replacement installations, homeowners find that anyadded investment over the cost of an ordinary system is generally recovered inenergy savings within a few years.

• Comfortable––Capturing the relatively stable temperature of the Earth to heatand cool a home, WaterFurnace systems provide consistent, comfortable heatingand cooling. Temperatures can even be regulated in different areas of the homewith an optional zone control system.

• Reliable––The WaterFurnace reputation for dependable operation has beenearned by using only the highest-quality components, design, and workmanship.Computer run-testing after assembly ensures that WaterFurnace units performflawlessly at start-up. And in the unlikely event of a malfunction, WaterFurnaceunits are backed by the best warranties in the industry.

• Quiet––WaterFurnace systems don’t require noisy outdoor units that can dis-turb a home’s peaceful surroundings or create unsightly additions to a home’sappearance.

• Safe––Because natural gas, propane, or oil is not required to operate aWaterFurnace unit, there’s no combustion, flames, or fumes and no chance of car-bon-monoxide poisoning.

• Flexible––One compact WaterFurnace unit provides heating, central air condi-tioning, and supplemental domestic hot water.

• Clean––High-efficiency air cleaners found in WaterFurnace systems keepindoor air quality clean, removing dust and pollen for easier breathing.

• Environmentally Friendly––The ground absorbs about 47 percent of the sun’senergy that reaches the Earth. WaterFurnace systems harness that free, renewableenergy and provide an environmentally friendly way to heat and cool a home.Installing a WaterFurnace system is the environmental equivalent of planting 750trees or removing two cars from the road. And the WaterFurnace system doesn’tburn fossil fuels, which means no emissions or harmful greenhouse gases arereleased into the air.

In the Optimum Performance Home, the WaterFurnace Envision Series geother-mal system is used to heat the water used by the Uponor radiant floor system,


• The efficiency ratings of a geothermal system are upto five times higher than conventional heating and coolingsystems. WaterFurnace® leads the industry with its ENER-GY STAR®-qualified Envision Series, the first to achieve500 percent efficiency in heating.

WaterFurnace® Geothermal System

of two weeks. The five bore holes are each 310 feet deep andsealed with 14,000 pounds/280 sacks heat transfer sand and 70sacks of Bentonite grout with .88 conductivity/2,254 gallons of materi-al in bore holes (305 cubic feet). This special material was provided by Dyna-Crete, based in Valley Springs, California. The special U-bend piping was providedby WaterFurnace and was pressure tested before the pipe was put in the groundand after the holes were backfilled with grout (reference IGSHPA DesignGuidelines). The bore holes are separated about 15 feet apart. Heat energy is col-lected and transferred through this earth loop—an underground piping system.

Because the system does not use natural gas or propane, there are no harmfulemissions. Geothermal systems reduce our dependence on foreign oil productsand use the Earth as a free heat source. In fact, geothermal systems have beenrecognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and theDepartment of Energy as the most environmentally friendly heating and coolingtechnology available today. While outdoor air temperatures fluctuate from seasonto season, ground temperatures stay consistent all year long. The ground is able tomaintain a higher rate of temperature consistency because it absorbs 47 percentof the sun’s energy that reaches the Earth’s surface. During the heating cycle, ageothermal system regularly circulates water through its ground loop to extractheat. The unit then transfers this heat from the loop through a conventional ductsystem (heating or air conditioning), hot water for radiant floors, and domestic hotwater heating.

For the Optimum Performance Home, a geoexchange system manufactured byWaterFurnace International, Inc. has been chosen as the means for heating and airconditioning. The system (also commonly referred to as a ground-source heat-pump system or geothermal heat-pump system) consists of three main compo-nents––the heat pump, which is the foundation of the system (manufactured byWaterFurnace); a closed-loop vertical “well” system, which is drilled into the Earthon site (Weeks Drilling & Pump Company); and water, which is circulated between

• Dyna-Crete heat transfer sand and Bentonite claygrout were used to seal geothermal bore holes.

Dyna-Crete

• Weeks’ drilling department can claim over 60 yearsexperience and has completed over 20,000 wellprojects throughout Northern California and the WestCoast, using sophisticated drilling methods to meetthe demand for water supply wells, environmental,geothermal bore wells, and irrigation wells.

Weeks Drilling & Pump Company



“condensing 98%” tankless water heater.The WaterFurnace Envision Series geothermal

system final installation is scheduled to be per-formed by Matt Jung’s team at 88HVAC and by ourplumbers Peffer and Spratt. Don Bartlett of BartlettMechanical Services worked on the initial insfras-tructure installation of the WaterFurnace andUponor radiant floor systems.

The Apricus Solar hot water system is ready tobe installed with three AP-20 20-tube solar collec-tor modules mounted to the south facing roof overthe guest bedrooms. The dimension of each unit is77.9 x 58.8 inches, with a height of 6.1 inches,

including a flush roof mounting frame.The mounting system used is a UNIRAC®

ClickSys™, which is engineered for flush roofmounting applications. The anodized bronze alu-minum ClickSys has superior aesthetics. Theunique I-beam design of ClickSys optimizesstrength, eliminates excess material found in othersystems, and is cost effective. The ClickSys is alsopre-installed, awaiting the installation of the large37-unit high-performance premium photovoltaic Day4®

Energy 48MC module 6.66-kW solar PV system.The Apricus Solar Collector or Solar Water

Heater is a device that absorbs thermal energyfrom the sun and converts it into usable heat. Theheat is normally absorbed by water, or a freeze-resistant water mix, which can then be used tosupplement hot water heating, space heating, andeven space cooling via use of an absorption chilleror desiccant cooler technology. In our application,due to the non-freezing coastal climate at The SeaRanch, water is used to absorb heat.

Apricus Solar units are reliable, efficient, twin-glass evacuated tube designs with integrated


Lindal Solarium, Daltile® Colorbody™ PorcelainContinental Slate™, Mapei® Opoticolor™ Epoxy Grout,

Oregon Shepherd Wool Insulation, Dryerbox®, LEED’s Nichoel Farris

Weeks Drilling Geothermal Rig, Lindal Vestibule Walkway,Serious Materials QuietRock® Drywall, Oregon Shepherd Wool Insulation,

Northeast Views

which will heat all of the rooms in the home, and in addition, provideair conditioning in the dedicated Optimum Performance Home Theatreand rear projection room through a system of underground Spunstrandfilament-wound fiberglass underslab, acoustically damped air-condi-tioning ducts. This system was selected for the home theatre and pro-jection room because it is expected that more continuous cooling willbe required at times to offset the heat created by the projection andaudio equipment.

The heat pumps are connected to a single ground-loop system thatallows the heat pumps to operate in heating and cooling modes, simul-taneously. The WaterFurnace geothermal system also will serve as asupplemental energy source for domestic hot water, in addition to theApricus Solar® hot water system and the Navien® America CR-240

• Spunstrand® HVAC duct is designed for direct burial applications and is manufactured using the filament-wound method to provide the greatest strength.

Spunstrand® Filament-WoundFiberglass Underslab Duct

• The Apricus Solar® tube system reduces thewater-heating portion of a utility bill by as muchas 90 percent. Each of the solar collectorarrays are made of non-combustible

borosilicate impact-resistant twin-glass evacuated glass tubes with acopper super-heat pipe and aluminum heat fin within each tube.

Apricus Solar® Evacuated Tube Collectors

• The anodized bronze aluminumUNIRAC® ClickSys™ roof mount systemhas superior aesthetics, yet the unique I-beam design optimizes strength,

eliminates excess material found in other systems, and is cost effective.

UNIRAC® ClickSys™


This type of tube is chosen for its relia-bility, performance, and low-manufac-turing cost.

Each evacuated tube consists oftwo glass tubes made from extremelystrong borosilicate glass. The outertube is transparent, allowing light raysto pass through with minimal reflection.The inner tube is coated with a specialselective coating (Al-N/Al), which fea-tures excellent solar radiation absorp-tion and minimal reflection properties.The top of the two tubes are fusedtogether, and the air contained in thespace between the two layers of glassis pumped out while exposing the tubeto high temperatures. This “evacuation”of the gasses forms a vacuum, which isan important factor in the performanceof the evacuated tubes.

Why a vacuum? As you would knowif you have used a glass-lined thermosflask, a vacuum is an excellent insula-tor. This is important because once theevacuated tube absorbs the radiationfrom the sun and converts it to heat,the goal is not to lose it! The vacuumhelps to achieve this. The insulationproperties are so good that while theinside of the tube may be 304 degreesFahrenheit, the outer tube is cold totouch. This means that evacuated tubewater heaters can perform well even incold weather, when flat plate collectorsperform poorly due to heat loss (duringhigh Delta-T conditions).

In order to maintain the vacuumbetween the two glass layers, a bariumgetter is used (the same as in CRT tel-evision tubes). During manufacture ofthe evacuated tube this getter isexposed to high temperatures, whichcauses the bottom of the evacuatedtube to be coated with a pure layer ofbarium. This barium layer activelyabsorbs any CO, CO2, N2, O2, H2O,and H2 out-gassed from the evacuatedtube during storage and operation, thushelping to maintain the vacuum. Thebarium layer also provides a clear visu-al indicator of the vacuum status. The


copper heat pipes and a corrosion-resistant silver brazed copper headerfor rapid heat transfer. Thick, compact-ed glass wool surrounds the Apricussolar collector’s copper header, provid-ing excellent insulation. The frame is all439 grade stainless steel with a blackaluminum casing. In order to providemaximum corrosion resistance, theApricus solar collector uses high-purity(99.93 percent) copper piping and sil-ver brazing for the header. The systemprovides stable solar conversionthroughout the day (tubes passivelytrack the sun) and is a perfect solarcollector for domestic solar waterheater systems.

The operation of the solar collectoris very simple.

• Solar Absorption––Solar radiationis absorbed by the evacuated tubesand converted into heat.

• Solar Heat Transfer––Heat pipesconduct the heat from within the solartube up to the header.

• Solar Energy Storage––Water iscirculated through the header, viawater pump circulation throughout theday, as long as the temperature of thecollector is higher than the stored watertemperature. Each time the water circu-lates through the header the tempera-ture is raised by 9 to 18 degreesFahrenheit. Throughout the day, thewater in the Solar Thermal StorageTank is gradually heated.

silver-colored barium layer will turn whiteif the vacuum is ever lost. This makes iteasy to determine whether or not a tubeis in good condition.

Evacuated tubes are aligned in par-allel, the angle of mounting dependsupon the latitude of your location. Inour application the Apricus tubes facesouth at a 27-degree slope and canpassively track heat from the sun allday.

A 120-gallon insulated SolarThermal Storage Tank is the depositoryfor the water heated by the ApricusSolar hot water system. The systemhas a comprehensive 10-year limitedwarranty.

A Navien America NR-240ACondensing 98% Tankless WaterHeater is the most efficient on-demandtankless water heater on the market.The Navien utilizes “condensing tech-nology” to achieve a 98 percent effi-ciency rating. Because Navien’s stain-less-steel condensing heat exchangeris able to recover the condensation thatwould otherwise be lost, the smallamount of exhaust that is released fromNavien water heaters is cool to thetouch (about 85 to 130 degreesFahrenheit), allowing the use of PVCventing materials. The use of PVCoffers significant cost savings and sim-plifies installation. Unfortunately, old-fashioned tank heaters, as well as con-ventional tankless water heaters, emitharmful Nitrogen (NOx) and Carbondioxide(CO2) directly into the air at awhopping 245 to 450 degreesFahrenheit! These harmful emissionsdamage both people and the environ-ment. A Navien condensing waterheater decreases no less than 964pounds of CO2 per year, compared toa conventional tank-type water heater,and 324 pounds compared to a con-ventional tankless-type water heater.

Navien’s condensing technologyuses less propane or gas than conven-tional water heaters, resulting in lessCO2 emissions. The Eco Pre-mixed

The advantage of solar evacuatedtubes is that they insulate the innertube from heat loss. This means thatonce heat is absorbed, it is transferredto the water in the manifold and not lostto the outside environment. This is thekey difference between solar tubes andflat plate solar collectors: the insulativeproperties. Combined with the heattransfer efficiency of the heat pipe, theApricus solar collector can deliverexcellent heat output all year round.

How the solar collector looks on theroof was an important consideration forthe Optimum Performance Home. TheApricus solar collector is designed tobe low profile, sitting close to the sur-face of the roof. The tubes are blackhued and blend in nicely with the blackTrimline Building Products Distinction®

Slate. The manifold is provided in black(preferred for our application), witheither rear (R) or end (E) port models.The rear port manifold allows theplumbing to be hidden behind thesolar collector manifold. In addition, byusing rear ports, two or more solar col-lectors may be connected side by sidewithout a gap in between.

Evacuated tubes are the absorberof the solar water heater. They absorbsolar energy converting it into heat foruse in water heating. There are severaltypes of evacuated tubes in use in thesolar industry. Apricus collectors usethe most common “twin-glasNRs tube.”


AcoustiBlok®, Tobias Stucco Earthen Plaster, Finnleo®

Sauna, Lindal Vestibule Walkway, BioPCM™

Aquacore™ Ultrafiltration System, Uponor®

Equipment, Apricus Solar® Storage Tank

• Day4 Energy’s 48MC all-black-on-black 180-watt monocrystalline silicon module is both aesthetically attractiveand delivers high electrical conductivity, exceptionalpower density performance, increased electrical contactredundancy, long durability, and cost efficiency.

Day4® Energy Solar PV System

• Distinction™ Slate has the deep textured appearance ofnatural slate with deep chiseled edges, creating the mostrealistic composite slate available.

Trimline Building Products Distinction™ Slate

• The Navien® NR-240A Condensing 98% Tankless WaterHeater is the most efficient on-demand tankless waterheater on the market.

Navien® America Tankless Water Heater


the pre-finishing stages of constructionon wood beams and other unfinishedwood surfaces throughout theOptimum Performance Home. Originalprovides a transparent, spray-appliedzero-VOC (Volatile OrganicCompounds) fire retardant coating oninterior and exterior porous wood sur-faces. Original provides a smooth finishwithout raising the grain. The non-toxic,non-carcinogenic liquid renders a vastarray of materials incapable of burning.No-Burn removes the fuel a fire needsto burn when applied to wood, drywall,fabric, carpet, and furniture. Used onthe structural framing components, incombination with the Amvic ICFs andThermaSAVE SIPs, gives the entirestructure a Class A rating, the bestpossible protection against fire, espe-cially in areas where a high fire hazardexists, such as urban areas with homesin close proximity to each other or inwoodland areas, such as The SeaRanch.

Based in Oregon’s lush WillametteValley, Oregon Shepherd engages inextensive sheep farming. Adhering tostrict eco-friendly practices from startto finish, Oregon Shepherd works toenhance and expand the traditionalmarkets for wool products, especiallymaking use of the lower-grade and off-color wool, which is typically discard-ed. The company has successfully


Oregon Shepherd wool insulationbatts have been installed in theOptimum Performance Home Theatreand in other selected wall areas of thehome, and covered with two layers ofSerious Materials QuietRock® orGeorgia Pacific ToughRock® drywall, toprovide the finished wall and ceilingsurfaces for final interior finishing andacoustical treatment.


Burner dramatically reduces NOx emission levels, making Navien’semission levels the lowest in the industry. The unit dissolves NOx incondensed water, to neutralize the alkaline sewage and improve waterquality.

Navien’s built-in hot water recirculation system recirculates hot waterthat would otherwise be lost, thus, creating a method that lowers thecost of water bills each month. On all Navien Condensing 98% “A”Series models, there are two pre-heating modes in which the unit canoperate: Internal Circulation Mode and External Circulation Mode. Thedesired mode is selected by manually adjusting a three-way valveinside the unit and adjusting the DIP switches on the computer board.Unlike other tankless water heaters, Navien’s doesn’t require an addi-tional pump or an electric control device, significantly saving on supple-mentary installation costs.

Navien utilizes dual stainless steel heat exchangers, providing 3.8 to4.5 times longer life-expectancy and erosion resistance over the copperheat exchangers used in other brands. Navien’s stainless steel heatexchangers operate with relatively low water temperatures, minimizingdamage from hard water conditions and maintaining high-efficiency lev-els.

Navien’s two microprocessors offer better control and safer operationby continuously cross monitoring each other’s performance to assureproper operation at all times. These two microprocessors not only con-trol the burner for ideal combustion but also maintain the steady hotwater temperature.

In the Optimum Performance Home, a Navien NR-240A serves asthe perfect backup to the Apricus Solar water heating system, shouldthat system not achieve the desired hot water temperature at any givenmoment. The Navien unit will provide endless hot water in combinationwith the Apricus Solar collectors and Solar Thermal Storage Tank andWaterFurnace geothermal system. The Navien will only be activatedafter the water temperature drops below a predetermined set point, say115-degrees Fahrenheit, then heating ONLY the water actually used,and only for the temperature difference required. The Navien will notonly improve the overall efficiency and cost effectiveness of the passive

systems, it will insure an endless and continuoussupply of hot water as well, whether the passivesystems are providing heat or not. The NR-240Ahas a heat capacity minimum of 17,000 Btu/hour anda maximum of 199,000 Btu/hour with a thermal effi-ciency of 98 percent. The DOE Energy Factor is 0.95.

Navien’s 15-year warranty is the best in theindustry. The parent company, KD Navien, is head-quartered in Seoul, Korea.

Our plumbers with Roger Stevenson are sched-uled to install the Navien NR-240A on the wall inthe courtyard access equipment room. The Navienwill share the space with the Solar Thermal StorageTank, one of the WaterFurnace Envision Seriesunits, and the Uponor control units. The otherEnvision Series unit was installed in the auxillaryequipment shed/dog house at the back of the rearprojection room and interconnected with theSprunstrand air-conditioning ducts.

In addition to the installation of the Uponor,WaterFurnace, and Navien systems, the plumbersinstalled the Aquacore® whole-home hollow-fiberultrafiltration system, a point-of-entry system capa-ble of producing a steady flow of microbiologicallypure water throughout the home. This will providean uninterrupted stream of bottled-quality drinkingwater to every tap in the home. The unit processeswater at the rate of 10 gallons per minute, using apatented multi-bore hollow fiber membrane designwith seven capillaries in every fiber. Thousands ofmembrane strands have billions of .02 micronpores that act as a strainer to filter out particles,turbidity, and pathogens, including bacteria, virus-es, and cysts, while allowing water to flow throughwith virtually no pressure drop. The process doesnot add chemicals to the household water andimproves the performance of other water treatmentequipment in the home, such as the Sylvan SourceM-600 Ultra Clean Water System (which is sched-uled to be installed when the kitchen appliancesare installed at the last stage of interior finishing).

Following the construction of the ICF walls andSIP walls and roof, as well as the rough electricaland plumbing, Nisus Corporation’s Bora-Care® wasapplied directly to the cured, finished surface slaband where the walls meet the slab, as a primarytermite barrier pretreatment. Bora-Care creates acontinuous barrier that termites cannot cross, elimi-nating their food source.

No-Burn® Original, a Class A fire retardent thatmeets ASTM E-84 standards, was applied during

Uponor® Radiant Floor Zone Controls,Equi=Tech 20WQ AC Power System,

IAC Acoustical NoiseLock Doors, Monster Cable®, QuietCool™ Ventilation System

• The Aquacore® point-of-entry ultrafiltration system is capableof producing a steady flow of microbiologically pure waterthroughout the home.

Aquacore® Whole-Home Hollow-Fiber Ultrafiltration System

• Sylvan Source unique multi-stage technologyfeatures breakthrough four-stage water process-ing, consisting of degassing, distillation, demist-ing, and condensing. The system requires no fil-ters, cartridges, membranes, or chemicals andfeatures a patent-pending, self-cleaning process.The rugged, stainless-steel construction andindustry-standard plumbing connections assure long-term durability.

Sylvan Source Ultra Clean Water System

• Nisus Corporation’s Bora-Care® is a primary termite barrier pretreatment that creates a continuous barrier that termites cannot cross, eliminating their food source.

Bora-Care®

• No-Burn® fire retardants and reactants, are a highlyadvanced line of non-toxic, non-carcinogenic liquidsthat render a vast array of materials incapable of burn-ing, as well as inhibiting the growth of toxic black mold.No-Burn removes the fuel a fire needs to burn whenapplied to wood, drywall, fabric, carpet, and furniture.

No-Burn®


developed patentable chemical formu-lations and processes that produce100 percent natural, non-VOC emitting,fire-resistant and vermin-proof insula-tion. No other insulation product in theworld can make these claims!

Uniquely, in addition to the tradition-al batt-style insulation, OregonShepherd has developed a natural

wool loose or blown-in insulation, whichis terrific for horizontal spaces such asattics, or can be blown into verticalcavities between framing members inwalls. It is ideal for the remodel/retrofitproject.

Wool, unlike synthetic materials,actually reacts to changes in tempera-ture and atmospheric moisture.

Insulation made with natural wool fibersnot only achieves impressive R-valuethermal performance, but because ofwool’s thermoregulation properties,wool insulation has the ability to absorband release water vapor and has beenproved through independent laboratorytests to help keep buildings cool insummer and warm in winter.

Oregon Shepherd insulation is madewith 100 percent post-industrial naturalrecycled sheep wool fibers joinedtogether using an advanced resin-bonding process. Oregon Shepherdexhibits the following properties: recy-clable, renewable, low-embodied ener-gy, biodegradable, high natural con-tent, no emissions, breathes, no con-densation, non-combustible, fire resist-ant, pest resistant, and safe to handleand install.

Oregon Shepherd insulation containsno permethrin, pyrethroids, or formalde-hyde. At the end of a building’s life, the

Ultimate Home Design • Issue 20 • May 201042 Page 18/37


wool can be recycled for other environ-mentally friendly applications.Advantageously, untreated wool fiberhas higher fire resistance than cellu-lose and cellular plastic insulations; itdoes not burn, but rather melts awayfrom an ignition source and extinguish-es itself. The loose fill wool insulation istreated with a natural chemical (notpetrochemicals) solution to make iteven more fire resistant. OregonShepherd complies with the appropri-ate Class A industry standard. And aswith other materials and finishes usedin the Optimum Performance Home,Oregon Shepherd wool insulation doesnot emit VOCs and other hazardouscompounds, which may contribute tosick building syndrome and othereffects, such as allergic sensitization orasthmatic symptoms.

Another unique attribute of woolfiber is what’s referred to as its pliablememory. Other loose insulation prod-

ucts, even other natural materials, willsettle over time. This results in a lowerinsulating section. So while the initial10 inches of fibrous insulation will pro-vide a value of up to R-38, it settles toan actual depth of only 8 to 9 inches,lowering efficiency by up to 20 percent.Wool fibers’ unique attributes actuallycause it to increase in depth over aseveral-month period.

Another benefit of this unique qualityis that all spaces remain filled, even thetiny cracks and crevices always foundin building materials. The expansion ofthe material in place will affect a totalseal. This total seal is almost impossi-ble to overestimate. Most of the heatloss in the walls and ceilings of a homehave more to do with the air seal,rather than the insulation.

Acoustically, Oregon Shepherdproperties promote the baffling ofunwanted exterior noise and canreduce the level of environmental noise

pollution considerably. In sound qualityapplications, as in the OptimumPerformance Home Theatre, naturalwool insulation provides desired low-fre-quency absorption.

Oregon Sheperd 5-1/2-inch thickbatting style insulation was usedbetween the Owens Corning QuietZoneAcoustic Wall Framing studs in thewalls and ceiling during initial construc-tion of the Optimum PerformanceHome Theatre, and in select other loca-tions in Simpson Strong Walls andbetween Dietrich UltraSTEEL® Framingstuds and drywall tracks. The exposedbatts extend to the backside of theQuietZone Acoustic Wall Framing studswith a 1-5/8-inch air gap between theAmvic ICF walls and the backside ofthe studs and insulation. In the ceiling,the batts are fitted between the studsflush to the ceiling.

Batts are semi-rigid blocks of mate-rial manufactured in various widths to

Ultimate Home Design • Issue 20 • May 2010Page 19/37 43

• Oregon Shepherd wool reacts to changes in temperature and atmospheric moisture, achieves impressive R-value thermal performance, absorbs andreleases water vapor, contains no permethrin, pyrethroids,or formaldehyde, does not burn, and reduces the level ofenvironmental noise pollution considerably.

Oregon Shepherd

AcoustiBlok®, QuietCool® Ventilation System, BioPCM™,Tobias Stucco Earthen Plaster, EcoVantage PerfikDek EcoPrem,

Uponor® AquaSAFE™ Fire Sprinkler System

GP ToughRock® Drywall, Monster Cable®, Serious Materials QuietRock® Drywall,EcoVantage PerfikDek EcoPrem Steps & Decking

• UltraSTEEL® Framing is a next-generation light-gauge roll-forming technology that significantly increases product performance, including greater load-carrying capacity, higher limiting heights, better acoustical and fire performance, and easier installation.

Dietrich UltraSTEEL® Framing


two wall sides separating the guestbedrooms.

Additionally, 5/8-inch QuietRock 528panels in 4- x 8-inch, 4- x 10-inch, and4- x 12-inch sizes were hung in thelaundry room and guest bathrooms,and in the master bedroom wall, whichdivides the sleeping area from themaster bathroom.

QuietRock is a premium, environ-mentally friendly drywall that is pre-primed. QuietRock’s unique patentedconstrained-layer internal dampingreduces sound waves and vibrationunlike any other construction materialon the market today. A single layer ofQuietRock 528 is acoustically equiva-lent to eight layers of standard drywall.QuietRock is designed and specifiedby Serious Materials and manufacturedby Georgia Pacific (GP). Mold resistanceis similar to GP’s DensArmour Plus®

premium high-performance Gypsumwallboard. Fiberglass mats are fea-tured on both the front and the back forthe best in interior protection frommoisture currently available.

QuietRock weighs about the sameas standard drywall. The panel is ULclassified and Type X fire-rated for one



panels. This allows the free movementof each independent wall and ceilingassembly. The gaps were filled with acontinuous bead of OSI Green Seriesdraft and acoustical caulk, a perma-nently flexible and non-flammablesound sealant. As well, all other gaps,electrical boxes, penetrations, andToughRock corners were sealed withOSI Green Series draft and acousticalsealers.

In the rear-projection room adjacentto the home theatre viewing and listen-ing room, a layer of black AcoustiBlok®

soundproofing material was mounted tothe ceiling, above which is the bonusroom designed as a hide-away retreat.AcoustiBlok is a unique 1.1 pound psfUL Classified, high STC reinforceddense noise-isolating material, which isutilized as a structural treatment forreducing sound transmission. It con-tains no lead or asbestos materials. Itis specifically formulated to meet rigidrequirements such that is approved byUL for walls, ceilings, and floors.AcoustiBlok is typically applied as partof layered resilient wall, ceiling, or floorconstruction. It is usually stapled towood studs or screwed to metal studsprior to drywall. Each layer of 16-ounceAcoustiBlok reduces sound transmis-sion by as much as 30 dB, dependingon the frequencies. It has more sound-deadening effectiveness than sometreatments with lead. A typical 2 x 4Gypsum stud wall is usually 33 to 35STC. AcoustiBlok installed in the 2 x 4wall is lab certified at an amazing STCof 52, better than the 12 of poured con-crete (STC 51).

Likewise, AcoustiBlok sound block-ing material was mounted to the studwalls between the kitchen and themaster bedroom, between the two


fit standard framing dimensions, with athickness that provides the appropriateinsulation properties required underagency codes. Typically, this product ismanufactured in thicknesses of 3-1/2and 5-1/2 inches.

As reported in Part XIX, the interiorwalls are constructed with UL®

Classified and UL Fire Rated DietrichUltraSTEEL® Framing studs and drywalltracks. And as part of the DietrichUltraSTEEL Framing, we installed sixJohnson Hardware® Series 2000 heavy-duty pocket door kits with ball bearingwheels, to work with the finished interi-or doors.

The interior structure passedSonoma County Building Departmentinspection. The interior ICF walls andDietrich UltraSTEEL Framing studswere covered with Serious MaterialsQuietRock and Georgia Pacific (GP)ToughRock Gypsum wallboard.

Serious Materials’ QuietRock 530patented CPG (ceramic-polymer-Gypsum) composite 5/8-inch 4- x 8-feet drywall panels were installed in therear-projection room, the undergroundalcove of the dedicated OptimumPerformance Home Theatre, and on the

hour. The rated 52 to 74 STC value farexceeds 5/8-inch gypsum, cinderblock, and soundboard panels. And ithangs and finishes like standard drywall.

At all electrical and conduit penetra-tions, QuietSeal® was applied to sealperimeter joints and openings in parti-tions and to bed electrical outlets andswitch boxes set in acoustical panels.The non-hardening, non-skinning one-component butyl sealant is engineeredfor acoustical isolation in partitions.QuietPutty® moldable soundproofingputty was applied to electrical outlets,HVAC ducts, and conduit penetrationsto maintain the performance of theQuietRock and Owens Corning AcousticWall Framing acoustically rated walls.

In all non-mold-resistant areas, GPToughRock Gypsum boards were hungon interior walls. ToughRock is a paper-faced gypsum panel designed for inte-rior wall, floor, and ceiling applications.

In the Optimum Performance HomeTheatre, a continuous “barrier” of dou-ble-layer, staggered-seam 5/8-inch and1/2-inch Firecode C ToughRock Type Xdrywall panels were mounted to theresilient studs structure to attenuate abroad spectrum of sound, includinglow frequencies and to ensure high-performance fire-rated assembly. TypeWS gypsum screws were used. TheToughRock Type X is comprised of anenhanced fire-resistant gypsum core(Type C) encased in 100 percent recy-cled natural-finish face paper and 100percent recycled liner paper on thebackside. GP ToughRock possessessuperior fire-resistance and heat-trans-mission properties for added safety,and is exceptionally resistant to crackscaused by structural, thermal, or hygro-metric changes.

Georgia Pacific supports sustain-able production of gypsum wallboardby using reclaimed gypsum, recycledplant waste, recycled paper, and cleanfuels. The company recycles enoughwallboard annually to build over 50,000homes.

guest bedrooms, and throughout theelevator shaft prior to the hanging ofthe Quiet Rock and ToughRock drywall,to prohibit sound transmission betweenrooms.

AcoustiBlok is waterproof, non-cor-roding, fire resistant, self extinguishing,and UV and electrical resistant. Thematerial is 100 percent recyclable.

As an additional measure to controlsound energy within the rear projectionroom, Owens Corning SelectSound®

Black Acoustic Board was mounted tothe interior face of the QuietRock wallsand ceiling.

SelectSound Black Acoustic Boardis composed of inorganic glass fibersand provides excellent acoustic soundabsorption properties to control rever-berant sound energy produced withinthe rear-projection room. At two inchesthick, the board will absorb up to 100percent of the sound, striking its sur-face across a wide band of relevantfrequencies. The rear-projection roomis designed to house high-definitionvideo projectors used in a direct-pro-jection rear-screen application.

The IAC noise-rated doors havebeen installed. Manufactured byIndusrial Acoustics Company, Inc., thedoors are fully assembled and testedbefore shipment. Every dedicated per-formance home theatre must have anentrance door, and the success of theacoustic isolation begins and ends withthe door. Both the OptimumPerformance Home Theatre and therear-projection room entrances are fit-ted with 300-pound plus, 36-inch wide,3-1/2-inch thick Noise-LockR acousticaldoors with an STC 61 rating. Theseexceptional doors are laboratory-devel-oped and field-proven as they are typi-cally used in high-end recording studios,

As previously stated in Part VII,room acoustics is all about controllingvibrations and the spectrum of frequen-cies that can influence our listeningexperience. All materials vibrate soundenergy, including gypsum board, and abroad spectrum of frequencies thatcan radiate energy back into the listen-ing environment. To address thisacoustical phenomenon, we appliedRoomDamp2™ from A/V RoomService,Ltd. (AVRS), a controlled viscoelasticdamping (sound absorbing) compounddesigned to better control the spectralimbalances typically re-introducedback into the room from the walls andceiling. Typical wall, floor, and ceilingconstruction methods resonate likedrums, making the room sound slowand muddy by re-radiating energyback into the room later in time. Byadding a finish layer with AVRSRoomDamp2 compound in betweenthe 5/8-inch and 1/2-inch ToughRockpanels, low-frequency vibrations, reso-nances, and reflections are minimized.RoomDamp2 was rolled onto the back-side of the 1/-2-inch panels prior to thepanels being screwed to the 5/8-inchpanels. The benefits acoustically are:

• Reduces sound transmission toand from other rooms (in our case notapplicable due to the massive AmvicICF exterior wall construction).

• Improves the low-frequency articu-lation and speed of the room.

• Improves visceral impact––theroom is fast and punchy.

• Improves dynamics and resolu-tion. The room quickly quiets, no longerable to mask low-level details.

OSI Green Series low-VOC draft andacoustical caulk, manufactured byHenkel Corporation’s North AmericanConsumer Adhesives Business, wasextensively applied in the OptimumPerformance Home. OSI products helpto meet the LEED for Homes ratingsguidelines. A 1/8-inch gap wasretained where finish corners meet(wall and ceiling) between drywall

• Johnson Hardware® Series 2000 heavy-duty pocket doorkits with ball bearing wheels will work with the finishedinterior doors.

Johnson Hardware®

• RoomDamp2™ is a controlled viscoelastic damping (soundabsorbing) compound designed to better control the spectralimbalances typically re-introduced back into the room fromthe walls and ceiling.

A/V RoomService RoomDamp2™

• QuietRock 530 and 528 patented CPG (ceramic-poly-mer-Gypsum) composite drywall panels are premium,environmentally friendly wallboards that are pre-primed.QuietRock’s unique patented constrained-layer internaldamping reduces sound waves and vibration unlike anyother construction material on the market today.

Serious Materials QuietRock®

• GP’s ToughRock Firecode C Type X is a paper-facedgypsum panel designed for interior wall, floor, and ceilingapplications.

Georgia Pacific ToughRock®


and motion picture and television stu-dios and post-production stages. Thetwo doors are flat black to complementthe black, non-reflective flat interiortreatment of the theatre. Hinges arecam-lift, allowing a barrier-freesill––important for universal designconsiderations. The doors rise as theyopen and fall as they close. Seals aremagnetic-type triple seal. The bellowsof the magnet sleeve reach out to pro-vide a continuous seal around theperimeter of the assembly. The result isa near vacuum-sealed vault enclosureisolated from the world around.

Our contractor and electricianRoger Stevenson installed the 497-pound Equi=Tech WQ20 Wall CabinetSystem on the north wall of the rear-projection room. The 20WQ has a con-

siderable 200-amp output capacity and20 dedicated 120/60V 20-amp circuitsfor hard-wiring balanced AC power intothe Optimum Performance HomeTheatre, rear-projection room, homeoffice, and living room to power a first-surface mirrored rear-projection hometheatre system. The 20WQ’s input lineis 240v, 60 Hz. The system providesthe highest-quality components andmaterials, all of which are factoryassembled, such as a large, high-capac-ity precision toroidal isolation trans-former, breakers, GFCIs, 240 Joulessurge-protection filters, and EM/RFI linefilters, all pre-wired throughout withoxygen-free copper wiring (OFC).

The system’s components arehoused in a sturdy NEMA 12 steel cab-inet and feature a rugged industrial-

duty AC distribution panel board withcommercial-grade circuit breakers,transient voltage surge protection, andground fault circuit interrupters. The20Q has a two-part black cabinet witha lower section that houses the mas-sive toroidal transformer. The top cabi-net measures 36 inches wide, 48 inch-es tall, and 8 inches deep. The lowercabinet measures 24 inches wide, 30inches tall, and 12 inches deep.

The transformer is the Equi=Techproprietary and patented “Q-type,”wound with exceptionally low-lineimpedance copper and includes twoFaraday shields for superior isolationfrom high-frequency RF and currentharmonics. This far more efficient typeof AC power source keeps current andvoltage accurately in phase, regardlessof peak current demands. Importantly,“Q” transformers remain acousticallyquiet even in locations where there isconsiderable line distortions and poorpower quality and run barely warm atnear full capacity. The proprietary wind-ing design drastically reduces highinrush current and also provides fordistortion-free video and audio play-back performance under the mostdemanding load conditions. Their per-formance is exceptional, where power-hungry amplifiers might otherwisechoke during high-peak currentdemands using a conventional powersupply. As has been stated in variousreviews in Widescreen Review(www.widescreenreview.com),Equi=Tech “Q” transformers provide fargreater power efficiency duringdemanding playback material, whichtranslates into smooth current responsein amplifier loads. This adds tightnessand amazing definition to low-frequen-cy playback and provides exceptionaltightness and definition to bass fre-quencies. The end result is absolutesilence when no audio signal is pres-ent, and optimum sound and pictureperformance delivery when the systemis engaged.



The entire Optimum PerformanceHome Theatre infrastructure isdesigned to deliver non-compromisedmultichannel discrete audio and high-definition video performance equal orbetter than the standards attained atprofessional recording studios andmotion picture dubbing and post-pro-duction facilities. This infrastructureprovides a true state-of-the-art founda-tion for “the best that it can be” insound and picture performance.

Early during the construction of thefoundation, an extensive network of in-slab electrical conduit was laid out forfuture room-to-room cable interconnec-tions to handle high-definition video,multichannel uncompressed audio,Internet connectivity, and phones. Theearly stages of pulling cable to realizethese interconnections has been imple-mented. Roger Stevenson and PaulHughes of ALD Sound Systems, basedin Santa Rosa, California have pulledextensive lengths of Monster Cable®

CAT6, RG6, CL-rated loudspeaker, andHDMI cable. Paul is our audio andvideo installation contractor and isworking with me on the implementationof the extensive audio and video andcomputer interconnectivity throughoutthe home. Paul and Roger are imple-menting the original design work per-formed by Dr. Peter D’Antonio,President of RPG Diffusor systems,Inc.; Norman Varney and Harry Alter,principals in A/V RoomService, Ltd.;Demian Martin, Chief Technical Advisorto Monster Cable; and Bryan Hodgesand Tim Johnson of EngineeredEnvironments.

Monster’s Dataspeed 500 Cat6 cer-tified cable provides the ultimate inhigh-speed home networking and con-trol. Roger and Paul pulled two lines ofDataspeed 500 throughout the home.This will be used for computer intercon-nectivity and phones and other whole-home IP network distribution and con-trol. Two lines of Monster’s 75ohm RG6will be used for RF CATV/broadcast/

satellite HDTV installation hookupsthroughout the home. This quad-shield-ed, high-resolution video cable offersmaximum protection against interfer-ence and is UL and CSA listed for in-wall installations. Monster’s CL-3 RatedMonster XPHP™ Clear Jacket AdvancedSpeaker Cable is designed to maxi-mize in-wall loudspeaker performance.Finally M2000 HDTV HDMI Cable wasinstalled in the master bedroom walland in the courtyard equipmentwall/door. This cable is HyperSpeed-high speed rated, with bandwidthexceeding 21 Gbps, to support 4Kx2Kresolution HDTVs, 3D, advanced pro-jectors, Blu-ray Disc™ players, andgame consoles. Monster’s M2000 alsodelivers cutting-edge 3-D movie andgame reproduction with full support fordual 1080p video streams. M2000 willbe used in the various home theatresystems designed for the home.

As part of the mechanical systemdesign of the Optimum PerformanceHome, the extensive Broan SmartSenseVentilation System has been installed.Equipped with ENERGY STAR-qualifiedUltra Silent Series QTXE fans and spot

specific QTXE Ultra Silent Sensing fansand fans/lights in the bathrooms, laun-dry room/garage, the components per-form as an energy recovery ventilation(ERV) system to provide fresh air whileexhausting stale air and filtering dustand indoor air pollutants. A dedicatedBroan ERV90HC energy recovery venti-lator unit with moisture-resistantenthalpic core and HEPA filter wasinstalled in the closet area of the mas-ter bedroom suite. This silent UL-, CSA-and HVI-certified ERV is the most ener-gy-efficient solution for year-round,continuous fresh-air ventilation.

Broan’s energy recovery ventilatorsremove excess humidity from incomingfresh air. While not a dehumidifier, ERVsystems transfer moisture from incom-ing humid air to the stale indoor air thatis being vented to the outside. Whilehumidity is not a pollutant, it can createa range of problems, from health con-cerns to structural problems. ERV’shelp to maintain indoor relative humidi-ty between 40 to 60 percent to mini-mize mold, mildew, and other possiblehazards. HEPA (High EfficiencyParticulate Air) with antimicrobial pro-


• The AcoustiBlok UL (Underwriters Laboratories) assem-bly a unique 1.1 pound psf UL Classified, high STC rein-forced dense noise isolating material, which is utilized asa structural treatment for reducing sound transmission.AcoustiBlok is the only particular formula that has passed UL’s stringent require-ments. Therefore, AcoustiBlok has earned a Class A one-hour fire rating.

AcoustiBlok® Noise Isolating Material

Owens Corning SelectSound® Black Acoustic Board• Owens Corning SelectSound Black Acoustic Board is composed of inorganic glass fibers and provides excellent acousticsound absorption properties to control reverberant sound energy produced within the rear-projection room and equipment/storage alcove.

• IAC STC-61 Noise-Lock steel door acoustical assembliesfeature cam-lift hinges, allowing a barrier-free sill––importantfor universal design considerations (the door rises as it opensand falls as it closes), magnetic-type triple seals, and magnetsleeve bellows that reach out to provide a continuous sealaround the perimeter of the assembly.

Industrial Acoustics Corporation (IAC) Doors

• Equi=Tech Wall Cabinet Systems are designed to blanket an entire facility with clean and phase-coherentbalanced AC power that remains stable regardless of howthe circuits are loaded down.

Equi=Tech Balanced Power AC System

• Extensive installation of Monster Cable Dataspeed500 CAT6 used for computer inconnectivity andphones and other whole-home IP network distributionand control, 75ohm RG6 used for RF

CATV/broadcast/satellite HDTV installation hookups, CL-3 Rated Monster XPHP™

Clear Jacket Advanced Speaker Cable, and M2000 HDTV HDMI Cable.

Monster Cable® In-Wall Interconnectivity

• The ENERGY STAR®-qualified Broan Ultra Silent Series QTXEfans and fan/lights are the quietest fans in the industry and provideoccupant-sensor technology to assure needed ventilation.

Broan® Ultra Silent Sensing Fans

• The Broan ERV90HC energy recovery ventilator unit features a moisture-resistant enthalpic core and HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration with antimicrobial protection.

Broan® Energy Recovery Ventilator


tection is the most effective filtrationavailable, capturing 99.97 percent ofairborne particles including dust, aller-gens, and pet dander.

The whole-home Broan balancedventilation system operates automati-cally and employs patented sensingtechnology, to regulate the volume offresh air ventilation and maintain a con-stant humidity level in the home.

In addition to the Broan SmartSenseVentilation System, Roger Stevensonhas installed two QuietCool™ whisperquiet whole house fans and their com-panion EnviroCool™ evaporative coolingair system manufactured by SouthwestElectric Enterprises, Inc. Unlike con-ventional air conditioning, QuietCoolventilates homes, removing germs,odors, and indoor pollution and replac-ing it with healthier outside air. Thesehigh-volume fans can remove andreplace all of the air in the home 15 to20 times per hour. Each QuietCool unitis connected to an attractive ceilinggrill with a patented acoustical insulat-ed flexible duct, thus eliminating all

vibration, rattle, and noise in the home.It is so quiet in operation that it can beinstalled in a bedroom or sleepingroom without a sleeping person beingable to hear it. In our application, onetwo-fan QuietCool QC-4500 unit, calledthe Quiet Giant, was installed abovethe kitchen pantry, with exhaust chan-neled through the equipment room anddoor out to the courtyard. Like itssmaller brother, the QC-1500, the QuietGiant is an innovative whole-house fanthat delivers superior performance,with 4,500 cubic feet per minute of air-flow, while operating almost silently. Atthe same time, the Quiet Giant will pro-vide additional cooking fume exhaustfrom the kitchen. A QuietCool QC-1500was installed above the kitchen nookon the second floor of the guest bed-room quarters with exhaust through thegable end vent. This unit will filter andcool the air on the second floor and inthe library/home theatre/surround musicroom. Another QC-1500 unit wasinstalled in the Optimum Performance

Home and discharges through the atticspace above, which positively chargesthe attic and expels all hot air throughthe Attic Breeze Solar Attic Fan vent.

EnviroCool is an evaporative coolingair inlet mechanism used in conjunctionwith QuietCool fans that far more effi-ciently and effectively cools a homethan a conventional air conditioner. TheEnviroCool system allows a home tostay cool for about one tenth the costof traditional air conditioning. By draw-ing the fresh air in through the EnviroCoolhigh-tech space age media, the incom-ing filtered air is cooled by as much as40 degrees and does so whisper quiet.The mechanism can maintain a com-fortable 70 to 78 degree Fahrenheittemperature range, even on the hottestsummer days, and can condition theinterior air to the ideal 45 to 60 percenthumidity level, except on very unusualhumid days. It does this by bringing inclean, fresh, natural air into the home’sinterior and ridding it of the undesirabledirty air containing dust, germs, mold,mildew, smoke, odors, and chemicalsthat have accumulated. It operatesautomatically on a thermostat, meaningyou don’t need to turn on switches oropen windows.

An evaporative cooling mechanismused with QuietCool fans, EnviroCoolcan lower the temperature in homes farmore efficiently than conventional airconditioners. EnviroCool is one of themost cost-effective “green” additions ahomeowner can add. The EnviroCoolevaporative cooling unit is located atthe front of the home and installed inthe exterior wall next to the RSF Wood-Burning Delta 2 fireplace.

Carriage House Garage and BarnDoors completed the crafting of thehome’s custom garage doors. Theseexquisitely designed doors are manu-factured with solid kiln-dried premium-grade Western red cedar and stainedto complement the hue of the exteriorL.M. Scofield LITHOCHROME® Tintura™

Stain, a low-VOC, environmentally



friendly stain in Sea Ranch-approvedDark Walnut.

A custom-designed and fitted doorto the courtyard-accessed equipmentroom has been constructed withMaxiPanel fiber cement material tomatch the home’s exterior, and stainedin Dark Walnut.

The entire courtyard and solariumfloor areas, as well as the walls of thecourtyard Kohler® Ten-Jet Body Showerand Dimension One® Amoré Bay Spa,have been finished with Daltile®

Continental Slate™ Colorbody™ porce-lain field tile and Mapei® Opticolor™

epoxy grout. The courtyard floor areaand guest vanity bathroom were cov-ered with 18- x 18-inch Tuscan Blue(CS56) field tile, while the solarium floorarea and courtyard spa walls were cov-ered with Moroccan Brown (CS55) fieldtile.

Porcelain tile, as with ceramic tile, ismade up of clay and quartz ferroussand materials, along with water. DaltileContinental Slate is manufactured inthe United States. The special red,brown, or white clay tiles are minedfrom the earth, shaped, colored, andthan fired in kilns to high temperatures(2,192 to 2,462 Fahrenheit). The onlydifference between porcelain tile andregular ceramic tile is that the clayused in porcelain tile is more highlyrefined and purified and fired at muchhigher temperatures. Consequently,porcelain tiles are denser than a stan-dard ceramic tile and the inherent high-hardness rating puts porcelain tile wellabove other flooring options when itcomes to durability. As such, porcelaintiles are more rugged, making themideal for harsher applications, such asflooring in exterior and interior applica-tions. Also, because of their higherdensity, porcelain tiles are less likely toabsorb moisture (less than 0.5 per-cent), which makes them more durableand more resistant to staining and dirt,for a cleaner look over time. The low-absorption rate also helps to ensure

high air quality in the home, as the floortile will not absorb chemicals and otherunwanted substances.

The matte, unglazed through-bodyContinental Slate exhibits the appear-ance of natural slate but the shadevariation is less pronounced. Unglazedporcelain tile is homogenous in termsof its through-body coloration. Thecolor goes all the way through from topto bottom, so scratches or dings areless obvious, making them virtuallyimpervious to wear. They also providebetter slip-resistance, an important uni-versal design consideration.

The Daltile Continental Slate is oneof the most gorgeous floor coveringson the planet and visually enhancesthe charm and beauty of the OptimumPerformance Home’s outdoor and inte-rior living spaces. Still remaining is theapplication of the Moroccan BrownContinental Slate as a pathway throughthe great room and the flooring for thekitchen.

The grout used with the Daltile

Continental Slate was Mapei’s Opticolorepoxy grout, an optimum-performance,easy-clean, stain-free grout. Opticoloris an improved, water-cleanable, reac-tive resin grout with chemical and stainresistance. It is a nonsagging, fast-cur-ing, efflorescence-free grout with noshrinkage. Opticolor provides color uni-formity, stain resistance, and durabilitybeyond that of cement grouts. In addi-tion, it is easy to maintain, will clean tothe original color, and contains BioBlock™

antimicrobial technology. Opticolor isdesigned for grouting interior and exte-rior installations on floors, walls, andcountertops. Our color choice blendsseamlessly with the Tuscan Blue andMoroccan Brown Daltile ContinentalSlate for a beautiful, durable exteriorand interior hard surface flooring.

Lindal SunRooms, a division ofLindal Cedar Homes, recently complet-ed fabrication of the vestibule, walk-way, and solarium structures that werecustom designed for the OptimumPerformance Home by Lindal design-ers under the direction of Jim Girouxand our architectural design-


• Unlike conventional air conditioning, QuietCool™

high-volume fans ventilate homes, removing germs,odors, and indoor pollution and replacing it withhealthier outside air. Filtered fresh air is drawn inthrough the EnviroCool™ high-tech space agemedia and cools the air by as much as 40 degrees.

QuietCool™ / EnviroCool™

• The Delta 2 fireplace has a huge firebox, gently curvingpanoramic glass doors, and beautifully handmade fire-bricks, and utilizes RSF’s patented clean burn technology, toachieve exceptionally low emissions.

RSF Wood-Burning Fireplaces’ Delta 2

• The Carriage House Door Company has crafted thousands of exquisitelydesigned overhead garage doors for discriminating customers acrossAmerica. Every door in their Carriage HouseCollection offers the timeless beauty, authen-ticity, and quality of doors constructed a cen-tury ago, yet they have completely modernfunctioning.

Carriage House Garage And Barn Doors

• Daltile’s Continental Slate porcelain tiles are denser thana standard ceramic tile, and the inherent high-hardness ratingputs porcelain tile well above other flooring options when itcomes to durability.

Daltile® Continental Slate™

• Mapei’s Opticolor epoxy grout is an optimum-performance,water-cleanable, stain-free grout with chemical and stain resist-ance.

Mapei® Opticolor™ Stain-Free Grout

• The Lindal solarium and vestibuleentrance/walkway combine kiln-dried premium-grade Western red cedar withenergy-efficient windows of the highestindustry rating for their ability to prevent airand water infiltration under the toughesttest conditions.

Lindal SunRooms


er/draftsman Ed Rose. Founded in1945, Lindal Cedar Homes has over 60years of commitment to being one ofthe home-building industry’s leaders inquality building materials, design, andengineering.

Homeowners who decide to includea Lindal sunroom savor the untold lightand luxury it brings to their homes.Lindal sunrooms are built with the samehigh-quality materials as all Lindal homes.

Like a Lindal Cedar Home, a Lindalsunroom combines kiln-dried, premi-um-grade Western red cedar with ener-gy-efficient double-pane windows ofthe highest industry rating for their abil-ity to prevent air and water infiltrationunder the toughest test conditions.Made with state-of-the-art Low-Eargon-filled glass, the windows providecomfort, energy efficiency, and reducefading of draperies and furniture fab-rics. To best capture views, Lindal sun-rooms include a hidden connector sys-tem, allowing large expanses of glass,uninterrupted by bulky exposed hard-

ware. And the engineering strength ofLindal sunrooms meets or exceedslocal building codes.

Engineered for a lifetime of trouble-free living, Lindal sunrooms feature:

• Patented Hidden ConnectorSystem––Each Lindal sunroom sup-ports expanses of glass for uninterrupt-ed views. The main framing membersof the sunroom are constructed ofclear, select, solid kiln-dried Westernred cedar. On a post and beam room,the framing members are architecturalgrade, horizontal, glue-laminated postsand beams.

• The Right Glazing Options––Lindalcontinually monitors the latest windowglazing technologies for advances thatstand the test of time. Thermal glasswith a special low-E coating providesgreater comfort and lower energycosts. A state-of-the-art glazing systembridges the glass panels and providesan air and watertight seal. Lindal deal-ers are trained to determine the correct

specification and right amount of over-head glass that will work best for aspecific situation. Dave Paoli ofMasterpiece Homes & Sunrooms,based in Fort Bragg, California, assist-ed in coordination of the project andgave guidance to our constructionteam in erecting the structures. RichardHoward spearheaded our team’s con-struction work on the Lindal installation.

The engineering for the vestibule,walkway, and solarium is designed tomake the most of the site’s exceptionalviews, light, and climate, while offeringyear-round comfort and livability. Thestructures are engineered anddesigned so that the moisture and con-densation will escape and drain to theexterior. The drain design (on both thevertical glass and sloped glass) is criti-cal for moisture and humidity to exit thespaces. Otherwise, within a short time,the wood-framing members will start torot, and the insulated glass seals willfail. The interior Forest StewardshipCouncil (FSC)-certified wood will be fin-ished to complement the rich environ-mentally friendly Kährs® Outback Oakhardwood floors, Pella® Windows andDoors wood treatments, and Armstrong®

WoodHaven plank ceilings, as well asthe warm matching solid and veneerCherry hardwood cabinetry throughoutthe home designed and manufacturedby KraftMaid® Cabinetry, Inc., a MascoCompany. The exterior of the framestructure consists of anodized alu-minum, finished in the same bronzehue as the Pella Windows and Doorsexterior EnduraClad Plus aluminum-clad exterior frame finish.

Lindal High Performance verticalglazing carries a lifetime warranty, andthe structure and horizontal glazing arewarranted for 10 years.

We also installed EcoVantage’sEcoPrem™ Wood PerfikDek premiumweather resistant decking and railingsystem. Created from sustainablesourced wood, EcoPrem Wood is ther-mally modified Yellow Pine with heat



and steam, to create natural lumberthat is low maintenance and highlyweather resistant. It is natural wood,minus the chemicals, deterioration, andconstant maintenance hassle.

Long ago the Vikings learned toovercome the constant maintenanceproblem by treating the wood surfacewith fire, which in turn made it moreresistant to the weather and thus moredurable. The modern version of thisancient process is called EcoPrem.Today a combination of heat and steamis used to modify natural wood.EcoVantage’s patented process turnsnatural wood into a low-maintenance,weather-resistant product.

Europeans have been perfecting thethermally modified wood process overthe past century, incorporating steaminto the heat process. Incorporatingsteam allows the wood to be heated toan extremely high temperature, protect-ing the wood in the process. The steam

also aids in altering the makeup of thewood’s structure, making it resistant tomold, algae, and decay. This is donewithout chemicals.

EcoVantage has perfected the heatand steam formula, to produce a supe-rior line of exterior wood products, andhas introduced EcoPrem to the U.S.EcoVantage products are producedwith #1 grade Southern Yellow Pine ata manufacturing facility in Indiana.Yellow Pine is a renewable resource.New trees grow in the place of theones cut down to make EcoVantagewood.

EcoVantage shapes and cutsEcoPrem Wood material into PerfikDek

components, which creates one of themost beautiful deck systems availabletoday.

The key features of PerfikDek are:• Light Weight• High Strength––Thermal modifica-

tion strengthens the wood, making itideal for decks, fences, siding, archi-tectural railing systems, and other exte-rior projects.

• Sustainable Material––Comprisedof renewable Yellow Pine. Since nochemicals are used in the modificationprocess, the wood can be used in gar-dens, and scraps turned into sawdustand mulch. This unique treated wood ischemical free and completely recyclable.


• Kährs® is one of the oldest manufacturers of hardwood flooring with a 150-year history. In addition to the Kährs flooringWoodloc® system used in selected rooms of the home, the stairs will be Kährs Oak constructed and meet all worldformaldehyde emissions regulations.

Kährs® Hardwood Floors And Stairs

• Pella® Windows and Doors have been knownfor quality craftsmanship and innovation. TheirEnduraClad® Plus and Seacoast Exterior PaintFinishes ensure superior weatherability and longer-lasting protection againstchalking, fading, corroding, and exposure to thesun’s UV rays. Pella quality extends to natural wood-framed interiors, which can be painted orstained to match a home’s interior décor.

Pella® Windows And Doors

• KraftMaid® offers an extensive selection of styles, finishes, storage solutions, and decorative enhancements, including the Sedona cabinet style in cherry wood species.

KraftMaid® Cabinetry

• EcoVantage’s EcoPrem™ Wood PerfikDek is heat andsteam thermally modified premium weather resistant sustainable natural wood, minus the chemicals, deterioration, and constant maintenance hassle.

EcoPrem™ Wood PerfikDek

BioPCM Plan View


• Zero Toxicity––The EcoPremprocess makes EcoVantage productssafe. Most pressure-treated woods areproduced with the use of toxic chemi-cals that break down the fasteners thathold projects together. The chemicalsin the wood make it harmful to touch,harmful to breathe the air that sur-rounds it, and harmful to anything thatcomes in contact with it (skin, clothes,etc.).

• Dimensionally Stable––The low-moister EcoVantage wood minimizesexpansion and contraction, making thewood warp resistant.

• Outdoor Durability––The thermalmodification process creates a woodproduct that is resistant to mildew, rot,and insects.

• Long Term Warranty––EcoVantagewood products carry a 30-year materialwarranty against rot and decay.

PerfikDek standard decking is avail-able in 1-1/4-inch thick, 5-, 8-3/4-, and8-1/2-inch wide boards. In our deckingapplication we used the 5-inch wideboards. Custom decks were construct-ed with PerfikDek around the DimensionOne Amoré Bay Spa and Finnleo® Finishsauna and off the master bedroom andabutting the Lindal solarium. The stairsto the herb garden off the courtyardalso were constructed with PerfikDek.

Additionally, Gabriel Bernal usedPerfikDek’s railing system and woodcomponents to form a structural trellisnetwork of posts to support the

UltraGlas decorative sheets of glassthat define the spa and shower area inthe courtyard. Completely pre-stainedat the factory, the end result is naturallyaesthetic, adding warmth and beautyto the courtyard.

Phase Change Energy Solutions’BioPCM™ Mats were stapled on theexposed ceilings between the furringstrips throughout the home (seeBioPCM plan view), between which theUponor AquaSAFE Residential FireSafety System AquaPEX runs. BioPCMMats create energy-saving spaces andsources of thermal transference thatwill take excess heat away from thespaces below, thus essentially absorb-ing excess heat or releasing storedheat, depending on the fluctuating tem-perature range in the space. Since 60percent of all energy loss is throughthe ceiling of most homes, this willallow the capture of much of this ener-gy and reintroduction into the structureas it is needed throughout the day,moving from a solid to a liquid, storingand releasing energy as needed by thestructure. BioPCM turns the passiveceilings into an active thermal batterywith the capacity to lower energyusage in a major way. By incorporatingBioPCM into the ceilings, it allows thehome to work in a way to reduce itscarbon footprint every hour of everyday of every year.

BioPCM’s patent-pending materialabsorbs and releases heat at pre-set

temperatures, It is engineered around afundamental property of nature, thenatural tendency of materials to absorbheat when they melt (phase changefrom solid to liquid) and to relelase heatwhen they solidfy (phase change fromliquid to solid). All materials exhibit thisbehavior, however there are some inparticular that go through this phasechange at or near room temperature,absorbing and releasing heat in theprocess. These materials are referredto as phase change materials (PCM).When these phase change materialsare placed in quantity into the structureof a home, they absorb heat (air condi-tion) during the day and release heat(heat) at night. This makes the entireenergy cycle more energy efficient. Lessenergy is used to heat and cool a build-ing while BioPCM intelligently capturesand release otherwise wasted energy.

BioPCM should not be confusedwith insulation. Insulation works byincreasing the thermal resistance of abuilding, slowing the flow of heat inand out of the structure. BioPCM worksby increasing the thermal mass of abuilding, therefore, increasing the timeit takes for the structure of a building towarm up or cool down. The product isdesigned to help keep a structure at aprescribed temperature.

BioPCM is not intended to replaceinsulation. Energy savings fromBioPCM is incremental to savings frominsulation. This is one reason why theaddition of BioPCM to a structure is soeffective. The combination of insulationand BioPCM in a building works similarto a resistor and capacitor in an electri-cal circuit. The resistor (insulation)reduces the energy (heat) flowingthrough the walls. The capacitor(BioPCM) absorbs the excess energy(heat) that makes it through and releas-es it when the energy level (tempera-ture) drops below the desired level(thermostat setting).

BioPCM is encapsulated in flameretartant, super-engineered polyfilm,



which adds an additional layer of secu-rity to any structure. The built-in firesuppressant layer acts as a shield toextinguish most small fires and addscritical extra minutes to allow occu-pants to escape large more dangerousfires.

Several tests of BioPCM havedemonstrated energy savings of up to30 percent per year. The tests alsoconfirmed that the BioPCM method ofencapsulating PCMs did not inhibit theirperformance. The phase change mate-rials that comprise BioPCM has beentested to 13,000 cycles, which is equiv-alent to 48 years worth of cycles with noobservable breakdown in performance.

Thus, BioPCM increases the com-fort, safety and efficiency of homes inseveral ways:

• reduces indoor temperature fluctation

• reduces need for heating andcooling

• reduces greehouse gas emissioins• improves safety and reduces fire

risk• shifts energy usage away from

peak demand when energy can bemost expensive

The pod configuration of the BioPCMMatts allow for easy work around lightswitches, electrical outlets, and otherobstacles. Steve Poulos simply cutaway the areas where these itemsinterfered with the installation process.Now that the BioPCM is in place, ourteam’s next task will be to install theArmstrong WoodHaven Rustic PinePlanks as the finishing surface of theinterior ceilings.

Both Richard Howard and StevePoulos are assembling the KraftMaidCabinetry throughout the home.KraftMaid offers an extensive selectionof styles, finishes, storage solutions,and decorative enhancements. In ourcase, we chose the Sedona cabinetstyle in cherry wood species.

Cherry is a rich, multi-colored hard-wood, often used in fine furniture. In itsraw state, cherry has pinkish-brownhues with occasional shades of white,green, pink, or gray. Small gum pock-ets, streaks, pin knots, and figures arecommon wood characteristics. Naturaland light stains, such as Honey Spice,accent the color variations in the wood.


• WoodHaven Rustic Pine ceiling planks provide anunmistakably wood-look, heavy-grain pine appearanceto the ceilings for dramatic impact.

Armstrong® WoodHaven Ceiling Planks

• Europe-based AKW is a provider of barrier-freeshowering, bathroom accessories and kitchen solutions, which enhance people’s independence,well-being and quality of life.

AKW®

More Uponor AQUAPEX®, AMVIC® ICF Home Theatre Walls, Structural Engineer Dan Del Carlo, The Stevensons, And Ralph

• BioPCM™ Mats create energy-saving spaces and sources of thermal transference that will take excess heat away from the spaces below, thus essentially absorbing excess heat or releasing stored heat, depending on the fluctuating temperature range in the space.

Phase Change BioPCM™

and drawers for a quiet close. Carefullyconcealed hinges are adjustable up tosix ways, for optimum door alignment.Standard on every cabinet is a full-extension, self-closing drawer buffer

sive selection of standard textures anddesigns that naturally express the fullrange of organic, graphic, traditional,modern, and contemporary styles. Inthe courtyard application we choseUltraGlas’ Serengeti, a low, horizontaldimensional grass pattern that perfect-ly complements the look of wild grass-es at The Sea Ranch. The 3/8-inchthick finish is clear glass with a slightgreen hue, which further complementsthe herb garden above the wine cellarand behind the courtyard spa area.UltraGlas will also be installed betweenthe toilet and Kohler BubbleMessage®

bath in the master bathroom and aspart of the kitchen island eating counter.

The ABBAKA custom satin stainlesssteel kitchen island hood was installedby Alain Bernal and ABBAKA’s FrankPaone. This is a custom-designed elon-gated hood, which houses aKitchenAid® Architect Series 48-inchwide hood liner with internal blower

motor and 1,200 CFM exhaust flowcapacity (KHLU182MSS). The hoodliner features halogen lighting and hid-den variable exhaust fan speed con-trols. The combination is striking, espe-cially positioned over the professionalVulcan 36RRG low-profile, heavy-dutypropane gas griddle, which is a focalpoint for exhibition cooking.

As stated in Part XIX, Frazee Paint®’sEnviroKote™ Primer will be appliedthroughout the home directly to newdrywall and smooth fiber cement interi-or surfaces, providing a solid, brightwhite surface for the application ofFrazee’s EnviroKote Flat paint andTobias Stucco natural earthen plaster.Frazee antimicrobial primers and paintsare low-odor, zero-VOC formulationsthat eliminate the aromatic solvents,heavy metals, and formaldehydepreservatives found in the typical paintor sealer. The result is a non-pollutingcoating that also acts as a sealer to help

reduce off-gassing from the surface below.Tobias Stucco is also a mold- and mildew-resistant and zero-VOC formulation.

The next installment in this series ofcase-study articles will cover the interi-or finishing of the home and continueto cover the actual work being done, toaccomplish the tasks described, aswell as the installation of UltraGlas dec-orative glass treatments in the masterbedroom bathroom and island kitchenand Armstrong WoodHaven ceilingplanks; the application of Frazee’sGreen Seal Certified EnviroKote interior,low odor, zero-VOC architectural primerand paints and GreenSpec® listedTobias Stucco non-VOC and mold-resistant trowelled on interior wall finishearthen plaster; DalTile ContinentalSlate flooring; Kährs ECO CoreOutback Oak flooring and stairs;DURA-SON acoustical wood floorunderlayment; Boddingtons BodPave®

85 porous paving grids and porous




Four Perspective Views Of TheOptimum Performance Home AtThe Sea Ranch

system, which extends past the faceframe, providing easy access tokitchen tools. The mechanism closesdrawers quietly every time. AndKraftMaid’s standard 3/4-inch thick,solid wood drawer boxes feature dove-tail construction, to ensure superiorstrength and durability. The greaterclearance between the drawer box andcabinet frame enables storage of largeritems.

A lasting benefit inherent inKraftMaid quality craftsmanship is theLimited Lifetime Warranty. J.D. Powerand Associates ranked KraftMaidCabinetry “Highest in CustomerSatisfaction with Cabinets” in their 2009Cabinet Satisfaction Study.

We’ll return to KraftMaid in Part XXIwhen the entire cabinet installation iscomplete.

Alain Bernal has installed the AKW®

Tuff-Form barrier-free level thresholdshower pan in the bathing area of themaster bathroom. This ADA-approvedpre-formed floor is designed to createa wet room floor shower area with abuilt-in pitch to drain. AKW is a leadingEuropean provider of barrier-free show-ering, bathroom accessories, andkitchen solutions, which enhance peo-ple’s independence, well-being, andquality of life, especially for personswith reduced mobility who want toachieve independent living. We willreturn to coverage of other AKWaccessibility products in Part XXI,including the adjustable dual his andher stainless steel framed wide woodenslatted shower seats and the reinforcedaluminum tubular core fluted surfacegrab bars to be installed in the masterbedroom bathroom.

Alain and Gabriel Bernal installedthe custom-crafted UltraGlas in thecourtyard. Distinctive three-dimensionalcharacteristics provide a unique lens,through which (or off of which) naturaland artificial light comes to life, transforming an environment like neverbefore. UltraGlas offers a comprehen-

All cherry wood naturally darkens or“mellows” with age.

A Honey Spice stained finish wasselected for the kitchen and kitchennooks in the home. The contrasting sof-fit cover was stained in Kaffé. The fulloverlay door style creates a livingspace with a modern, seamlessappearance due to the lack of a cabi-net frame showing around each doorand drawer front. Some of the uppercabinets feature textured glass doorsand decorative light treatment to createcontrast, which increases drama andfunctionality within the space.

Hardware was selected for simplici-ty and universal design friendliness.The hardware finish is nickel.

A basic, simple decorative moldingwas added to make a dramatic differ-ence to the look of the cabinetry.

Harmony storage solutions werealso added to provide functional, yetattractive, organization to the drawers.

All throughout the design process,consideration was given to universaldesign features such as offered withKraftMaid’s Passport Series. One par-ticular feature is the lower wall-ovenand warmer drawer cabinet design.Overall, the kitchen design providesinnovative solutions that improveusability, convenience, efficiency, andmaneuverability, while providing finedesign features. The Passport Series iscertified for universal design by theInstitute for Technology Development.

Some of the quality aspects ofKraftMaid Cabinetry include such stan-dard features as sturdy 3/4-inch thick,full-depth adjustable shelves for maxi-mum storage capacity. KraftMaid usesI-beam construction on all base cabi-nets, which improves durability andensures level installation. Face frameshave a rounded edge to duplicate theappearance of fine furniture detailingand keep hands and wrists safe fromscrapes. Special PermaSet Bumpersare made from a pliable material that issecurely held in place to cushion doors

Wood & Trash Shed Barn Doors, West Views,Living Room Window Seats & Rear Projection Enclosure,

UltraGlas®, KraftMaid® Cabinetry & ABBAKA Kitchen Hood

paving surfaces; STIRA wooden foldingloft ladder; Planika Fire Expresione fire-place; and more finishing coverage.

In the meantime, photos and videoswill be posted on the Ultimate HomeDesign Web site(www.ultimatehomedesign.com/oph.php)depicting progress in the constructionof the first Optimum Performance Home.

Design Concept

As previously noted in this series,the home design integrates all of theconcepts advocated in Ultimate HomeDesign. The goal is to demonstratehow modern building products andmethods can make life safer, morecomfortable, and more enjoyable. Thescience of optimum performancehomes concerns itself with buildingstructures that use less energy, are qui-eter and more comfortable, have fewerproblems with material degradation,

provide clean air and water, and doless damage to the environment. As anintegrated and holistic design, thehouse will serve as a durable residencethat allows its occupants to age inplace. The exceptionally solid structureshould last decades, if not centuries,with minimal maintenance.

The high-performance building sys-tems employed are designed toexceed California building coderequirements and California Title 24standards (nearly 38 percent above theminimum) and resist natural disasters

more effectively than a code-minimumhome, even with the new Californiacode requirements that require use ofnon-combustible or fire ignition-resist-ant building materials. Constructed withstronger building materials and superi-or techniques, the home will be safer,allowing homeowners greater peace ofmind. The Optimum PerformanceHome qualifies for the Fortified…ForSafer Living® program of the Institute forBusiness & Home Safety(www.ibhs.org/business_protection).This program specifies construction,design, and landscaping guidelines toincrease a new home’s resistance to nat-ural disaster.

In addition, the home will meet theguidelines and qualifications for theU.S. Department of EnvironmentalProtection’s ENERGY STAR, the EPA’s(Environmental Protection Agency)WaterSense™, and the American LungAssociation® Health House® programs.

It also will meet the requirements of theNational Association of Home Builders’(NAHB) National Green BuildingStandard, the Sustainable BuildingsIndustry Council (SBIC) Green BuildingGuidelines, and the “Green Points” pro-gram. Sonoma County and The SeaRanch Association are now consideringthis program for adoption.

Furthermore, the home’s design wasthe subject of a case study analysis

presentation before the CustomResidential Architects Network (CRAN),Full Spectrum Practice Convention ofthe American Institute of Architects onOctober 20, 2007 in Chicago, Illinois.

The home is also a case study of theCalifornia Energy Commission in termsof energy-efficiency applications and anadvanced water-saving plumbing system.

Finally, the home is a national show-case for the Custom Electronic Design &Installation Association (CEDIA), and is thesubject of a series of articles on the designand installation of the electronic lifestylecomponents in the home. These articles arefeatured in CEDIA’s Electronic Lifestyles®

quarterly magazine. A presentation onthe home’s design was presented at the2009 CEDIA Expo in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Setting

The Sea Ranch is an internationallyrenowned 5,000-acre environmentallyprotective residential development situ-ated within a pastoral and forestedcoastal enclave and nature preserveapproximately 110 miles north of SanFrancisco, California. This stunningdevelopment, now celebrating its 45thanniversary, straddles a 10-mile stretch




KraftMaid® Cabinetry & ABBAKA Kitchen Hood, AKW® Tuff-Form Barrier-Free Shower Pan, KitchenAid® Hood Liner, Broan® ERV,

Carriage House Garage Doors

Boddingtons BodPave® 85 Porus Paving Grids, UltraGlas® Serengeti Glass BackdropCoutryard, Armstrong® WoodHaven Ceiling Planks, Kährs® Outback Oak Flooring,

Dimension One® Amoré Bay Spa, Finnleo® Sauna & Kohler®

Ten-Jet BodySpa Shower

of Highway 1 along a uniquely beautifulrugged coastline, ending at the north-ern tip of Sonoma County and thesouth bank of the Gualala River.

The Sea Ranch is widely regardedas a unique and remarkable residentialdevelopment. During the 1960s and1970s, The Sea Ranch was at the fore-front of environmentally responsibledevelopment. It was conceived anddesigned by architects and landscapearchitects who wanted to provide a har-monious mixture of custom homes andpristine natural Northern California land-scape in oceanfront, meadow, and forestenvironments. In fact, The Sea Ranchconcept and its architecture are recog-nized in schools of architecture aroundthe world, and it is frequently used forcase studies in environmental and archi-tectural design. The first condominiumcomplex to be built on the southerncoastal bluffs of The Sea Ranch is nowa registered national architectural site.

Single-family development occupiesapproximately 2,500 acres, without bor-derline fences or other visible delin-eation of property lines. The remainingacres are permanent greenscape com-mons with 45 miles of nature trails forwalkers, bicyclists, and equestrians.Each home is custom designed by anarchitect/architectural designer follow-ing site-specific design guidelines andis situated off a private road networkwithout curbs, sidewalks, or street-lights. The Sea Ranch is a very uniqueresidential development woven into atapestry of buildings and nature andcommitted to environmental preserva-tion. The development includes 2,288lots for single-family custom homes,with 508 remaining to be developed(1,773 already developed and 7 underconstruction).

The Sea Ranch is managed by TheSea Ranch Association, a CommonInterest Development (CID) with anelected volunteer Board of Directors,and supported by numerous volunteercommittees. All development on The

Sea Ranch is subject to design reviewand the approval of a Board-appointedautonomous Design Committee. TheDesign Committee is presently comprisedof architects and landscape architects,though, it does not include anyone withexperience in vegetation managementor “green” sustainable building design.A legal set of Covenants, Conditions,and Restrictions (CC&Rs) govern thedevelopment and are designed to pro-tect The Sea Ranch concept.

The Home

The Sea Ranch Design Committeeimposes upon designers architecturalbuilding blocks derived from the origi-nal rural structures found on the north-ern California coast. Designers areexpected to apply their creativity torender various arrangements and devi-ations to arrive at a custom solutionthat specifically responds to the site.Successful proposals submitted to theDesign Committee address the issuesof passive solar positioning, wind, glaz-ing (window) layout, privacy betweenneighbors, vegetation protection, viewpreservation, topography and gradechanges, roof slopes, appropriate exte-rior materials and finishes, and otherexterior design considerations—allwithin the building and site design.

A focus of the Optimum PerformanceHome’s design is to stand as a showcasefor the “green” movement and demonstratemeans of reducing a home’s impact on theplanet through the use of Low-ImpactDevelopment and environmentallyresponsible and sustainable building mate-rials. It is hoped that the home will becomea case study for a “Green Points Program”suited to the scale of The Sea Ranch.

The home’s 3,272-square-feet con-ditioned living space (4,441-square-feet total building “footprint,” includinggarages, covered walkways, courtyard,and decks) is arranged in a three-building compound using a well-sealed,well-insulated, super-tight building enve-

lope that reduces temperature fluctua-tions and enhances overall energy effi-ciency. This arrangement provides foran alcove courtyard protected from theprevailing northwest wind. The court-yard is only open to the east, and thenpartially.

The home is designed with differingspatial experiences and destinationsthroughout, to encourage exploration.The home will display innovative interi-or design and be furnished in a con-temporary Frank Lloyd Wright styleappropriate to its dimensions. Thehome design connects the indoors andthe outdoors with glass covered walk-ways, a courtyard, decks, herb gardenand a vegetable garden to expand liv-able space, without requiring heatingor air conditioning. The home isdesigned in accordance with biophilicdesign principles, with abundant andexcellent use of natural light and natu-ral indigenous landscaping planned.{For an in-depth analysis of the bio-philic attributes of the home, pleaseread “Biophilic Design,” “BiophilicDesign Attributes,” and “The InteriorDesign Process, Part I: SynthesizingSustainability, Universal Design, AndTechnology” authored by Julie Stewart-Pollack in Issue 3 (May/June 2006),Issue 4 (July/August 2006), and Issue10 (July/August 2007), respectively.}

The main-floor living area is designedto accommodate the capabilities of alloccupants without any challenging phys-ical barriers, even for the elderly anddisabled. The home design features aground-level open plan for the living room,dining room, master bedroom suite, andspacious kitchen with solarium, exhibitioncooktops, and home-management system.

The second building in the compound isdesigned to accommodate a large dedi-cated state-of-the-art OptimumPerformance Home Theatre (otherwiseknown as the Reference Holosonic®

Spherical Surround™ Home TheatreLaboratory) with integrated rear-screenprojection room, front-projection, and a

home office. This performance theatre isdesigned as a “black-out” environmentwith non-reflective black walls and ceilingand controlled lighting to provide maxi-mum picture contrast and dimensionality,along with a 7.1-channel full-frequencyspherical surround loudspeaker systemcapable of extraordinary dynamic range.

The third building will include a two-car plus boat garage, workshop, main-level guest vanity bathroom, and laundryroom. The second level of this buildingwill have two guest bedrooms, a bath-room, and a dedicated library/home the-atre/surround music room distinguishedby a high-tower feature. To insure uni-versal access to this floor, the designprovides for an energy-efficient residen-tal elevator.

The entrance and walkways thatconnect the three buildings and thesolarium are enclosed with double-pane insulated- and solar-gain-reduced-tempered glass. There will bea seating area at the vestibule entranceto the home. The main entrancevestibule will serve as an oversizedmudroom. The driveway, area aroundthe garage, guest parking, andentrance to the home—as well as allpaths around the home—are designedin accordance with The Sea Ranchguidelines, governing exterior hard-sur-faced paths. All such surfaces are per-vious to virtually eliminate water runoff.The surface will be packed with perme-able surface material, to enhance thenatural appearance of the home’s set-ting. There also is a dedicated equip-ment/utility room off the courtyard,which accommodates the Uponor andWaterFurnace radiant-heating appara-tus, Apricus Solar hot water storagetank, Navien’s 98 percent condensingon-demand propane-fired tanklesswater heater, and other equipment. Abackup Kohler generator will behoused within a separate weather-resistant structure located off the northwall of the two-car garage and guestbedroom. An upper level of this struc-

ture (when implemented) is designedto optimize the northwest wind per-formance of a future wind turbine sys-tem, under development.

Along with the wind turbine system, alarge 37-unit high-performance premiumphotovoltaic Day4 Energy 48MC module6.66-kW solar PV system will be installedon the south-facing roof of the dedicatedOptimum Performance Home Theatre (seePart XII, Issue 12, November/December2007). The wind turbine and Day4 Energysystems’ electricity will be supplied to thePacific Gas & Electric power grid.

The home site is nestled on analmost-acre parcel at the edge of aforested area of the southern sectionoverlooking the Pacific Ocean, offeringdistant water views. The orientation ofthe home on the site is designed totake advantage of natural lighting andpassive solar heating and cooling. Goodsite and land planning results in minimalland disturbance and preservation of nat-ural features and environments.

Landscaping will consist of The SeaRanch-approved indigenous vegeta-tion, with low-water requirements andunique water conservation features,including two ponds and a stream sup-ported by rainwater catchment andcaptured runoff. Site grading has beenspecifically planned to enhance theproject’s placement in the watershed,and the design incorporates the princi-ples of Low-Impact Development tominimize runoff from impervious sur-faces and mimic the natural hydrologyin overall effect. The resultant waterharvesting will then minimize the use ofirrigation, and the increased infiltrationand retention will passively support thenative landscape. Additionally, a graywater system will be used for undersur-face plant irrigation.

Next

This continuing series of articles willfocus on the design elements, as theypertain to each stage of construction

as the project progresses, and willinclude coverage of the technologiesand building systems and the materialsused and applied to construct the firstOptimum Performance Home. UHD

The AuthorGary Reber is the President of Ultimate Home

Design, Inc. and the founding Editor-In-Chief andPublisher of Ultimate Home Design®, The GreenBuild And Universal Design Resource™. He is alsoPresident of WSR Publishing, Inc, which publishesWidescreen Review®, The Essential Home TheatreResource™. His diverse background in severalfields includes an undergraduate, graduate, andpostgraduate university education in architecture,community planning, and economic developmentplanning. For years he was a consultant on com-munity and economic development planning. Forthe past 15 years he has been an editor and pub-lisher of magazines in the consumer electronicsand architectural fields. Gary can be reached at951 676 4914 or [email protected].

Product And Contact Information• ABBAKA, 1360 North McDowell Boulevard,

Petaluma, California 94954, 707 875 2151,www.abbaka.com

• Acoustiblok, 6900 Interbay Boulevard,Tampa, Florida 33616, 813 988 7059,www.acoustiblok.com

• AFM Corporation, R-Control, 211 River RidgeCircle, Suite 102A, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337,952 474 0809, www.r-control.com

• Agri Drain Corporation, 1462 340th Street,Adair, Iowa 50002, 800 232 4742,www.agridrain.com

• AlD Sound Systems, Paul Hughes, 425Lincoln Street, Santa Rosa, California 95401, 707542 4406

• AKW. 5390 260th Street, Wyoming,Minnesota, 55092, 888 548 3259, www.akw-usa.com

• Amvic, Inc., 501 McNicoll Avenue, Toronto,Ontario, Canada M2H 2E2, 416 410 5674,www.amvicsystem.com

• Apricus Solar Company, 965 West MainStreet, Branford, Connecticut 06405, 203 4888216, www.apricus.com

• Aquacore, 604 East North Street, Elburn,Illinois 60119, 888 657 7788, www.aquacore.com

• Aqua Nueva International, 3628 GreystoneRidge Court, Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87124, 505975 5008, www.aquaharvestonline.com

• Armacell LLC, 7600 Oakwood StreetExtension, Mebane, North Carolina 27302, 800866 5638, www.armacell.com

• Armstrong Wood Industries, 2500 ColumbiaAvenue, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17604, 877 2767876, www.armstrong.com

• Ashland Performance Materials, 5200 BlazerParkway, Dublin, Ohio 43017, 614 790 3818,www.ashland.com

• A/V RoomService Ltd., Norman Varney/HarryAlter, 9282 Jug Street NW, Pataskala, Ohio 43062,740 924 9321, www.avroomservice.com

• Bartlett Mechanical Services, Don Bartlett,6755 Oak Street, Anderson, California 96007, 408313 2486, www.bartlettmechanical.com

• Battens Plus, Inc., 530.620.5287,www.battensplus.com

• Bed Rock Concrete Pumping, P.O. Box 503,Point Arena, California 95468, 707 882 2637

• Bed Rock Products, Inc., 135 Hay Parkway,Point Arena, California 95468, 707 882 2323

• Bill Wilson Environmental Planning & Design,




LLC, 71 Del Casa Drive, Mill Valley, California94941, 415 383 2919, 805 689 7639

• Broan-NuTone, 926 West State Street,Hartford, Wisconsin 53027, 800 548 0790,www.broan.com

• California Portland Cement Company, 2025East Financial Way, Glendora, California 91741,800 272 9119, www.calportland.com

• Carriage House Door Company, 1421Richards Boulevard, Sacramento, California95814, 866-890-1776, www.carriagedoor.com

• Carlisle Coatings & Waterproofing, Inc., 900Hensley Lane, Wylie, Texas 75098, 800 527 7092,www.carlisle-ccw.com, 707 785 3438, www.

• CETCO Lining Technologies, 2870 ForbsAvenue, Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60192, 800 5279948, www.cetco.com

• CNA Metalworks, Inc., Chris Attchison,35550 Verdant View, The Sea Ranch, California95497, cnametalworks.com

• Conservation Technology, Inc., 2633 NorthCalvert Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, 800477 7724, www.conservationtechnology.com

• CopperCraft, 404 E. Dallas Road, Grapevine,Texas 76051, 800 486 2723, www.coppercraft.com

• Cosella-Dörken Products, Inc., 4655 DeltaWay, Beamsville, Ontario, Canada L0R 1B4, 905563 3255, www.cosella-dorken.com

• Daltile Corporation, 2303 Merced Street, SanLeandro, California 94577, 510 346 7260,www.daltileproducts.com

• Day4 Energy, Inc., Suite 101, 5898 TrappAvenue, Burnaby, BC, V3N 5G4 Canada, 604 7593294, www.day4energy.com

• Dietrich Metal Framing/Dietrich Industries,200 West Old Bridge Road, Columbus, Ohio43085, www.dietrichmetalframing.com

• Dimension One Spas, 2611 Business ParkDrive, Vista, California 92081, 800 345 7727,www.d1spas.com

• Dimplex North America Ltd., 1367 IndustrialRoad, Cambridge, Ontario, NIR 7GB Canada, 519650 3630, www.dimplex.com

• DOW Chemical Company, 4847 HopyardRoad, Pleasanton, California 94588-2713,www.dow.com

• Dyna-Crete, 7343 Ricks Drive, ValleySprings, CA 95252, 209 938 0125,www.dynacrete.com

• EcoVantage EcoPrem, 6878 CR 62, St. Joe,Indiana 46785, 260 337 0338, www.ecoprem.com

• 88HVAC, Matt Jung, 1760 Marion Avenue,Novato, California 94947, 415 215 0533,www.88hvac.com

• Equi=Tech Corporation, 18258 RedwoodHighway, Selma, Oregon 97538, 877 378 4832,www.equitech.com

• Euclid Chemical Company, 19218 RedwoodRoad, Cleveland, Ohio 44110, 800 321 7628,www.euclidchemical.com

• Frazee Paint, 625 Miramar Road, San Diego,California 92121, 858 626 3600, www.frazee.com

• Feeney Construction, John Feeney, 14660McCourtney Road, Grass Valley, California 95945,530 477 7647, 530 263 0039

• Finnleo Sauna & Steam, 575 East CokatoStreet, Cokato, Minnesota 55321, 800 346 6536,www.finnleo.com

• Firestone Specialty Products, 250 West 96thStreet, Indianapolis, IN 46260, 317 791 3390,www.firestonesp.com

• FORTA Corporation, 100 Forta Drive, GroveCity, Pennsylvania 16127-6399, 800 245 0306,www.fortacorp.com

• Fortifiber Building Systems Group, 300Industrial Drive, Fernley, Nevada 89408, 775 3336400, www.fortifiber.com

• Georgia Pacific, 55 Park Place, Atlanta,Georgia 30303, 800 284 5347, www.gapac.com

• GetWireless LLC, 10901 Red Circle Drive,

Suite 325, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343, 800 9909025, www.getwirelessllc.com

• GRK Canada Limited/GRK Fasteners, 1499Rosslyn Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7E 6W1,Canada, 800 263 0463, www.grkfastenersys.com

• Gutter Helmet/Southeastern Metals(SEMCO), 1180 Industry Drive, Jacksonville,Florida 32218, 904 757 4200, www.gutterhelmet.com

• Headwaters Resources, 10653 South RiverFront Parkway, Suite 300, South Jordan, Utah84095, 888 236 6236, www.flyash.com

• iBeam Systems, Inc., 280 North 8th Street,Suite 30, Boise, Idaho 83702, 800 403 0688,www.ibeamsystems.com

• Industrial Acoustics Corporation (IAC), 1160Commerce Avenue, Bronx, New York 10462, 718931 8000, www.industrialacoustics.com

• In-O-Vate Technologies, Inc., 810 SaturnStreet, Unit 21, Jupiter, Florida 33477, 888 44DRYER, 561 743 8696, www.dryerbox.com

• Johnson Hardware/LE Johnson Products,Inc., 2100 Sterling Avenue, Elkhart, Indiana 46516,800 837 5664, www.johnsonhardware.com

• Kährs, 940 Centre Circle, Suite 1000,Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714, 407 260 9910,www.kahrs.com

• Kohler Company, 444 Highland Drive, Kohler,Wisconsin 53044, 920 457 4441, www.kohler.com

• KraftMaid Cabinetry, Inc., 15535 South StateAvenue, Middlefield, Ohio 44062, 440 632 5333,www.kraftmaid.com

• Kryton Canada Corporation, 8280 Ross Street,Vancouver, B.C., Canada V5X 4C6, 604 324 8280,www.kryton.com

• Lindal Cedar Homes, Inc., 4300 South 104thPlace, Seattle, Washington 98178, 800 426 0536,www.lindal.com/sunrooms

• L.M. Scofield Company, 1651 East FourthStreet, Unit 229, Santa Ana, California 92701, 714568 1870, www.scofield.com

• Mapei, 1144 East Newport Center Drive,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442, 800 426 2734,www.mapei.us

• MaxiTile Inc., 849 East Sandhill Avenue,Carson, CA 0746, 310 217 0316,www.maxitile.com

• Mendocino Coast Plumbing, Jerry Moyles,P.O. Box 41, Manchester, California 95459, 707882 2628, 707 353 2628

• Monster Cable Products Inc., 455 ValleyDrive, Brisbane, California 94005, 415 840 2000,www.monstercable.com

• MoonDance Painting, Steve Stiles, 888 9772468, 925 383 4537, www.moondancepainting.com

• Navien America, Inc., 1371 Santa Fe Drive,Tustin, California 92780, 714 258 9005,www.navienamerica.com

• Nisus Corporation (Bora-Care), 100 NisusDrive, Rockford, Tennessee 37853, 800 264 0870,www.nisuscorp.com

• No-Burn Inc., 1392 High Street, Suite 211,Wadsworth, Ohio 44281, 330 336 1500,www.noburn.com

• Norbord Industries Inc., 1 Toronto Street,Suite 600, Toronto, Canada M5C 2W4, 416 3602236, www.norbord.com

• Oregon Shepherd LLC, 12589 Highway 30,Clatskanie, Oregon 97016, 503 728 2945,www.oregonshepherd.net

• Orenco Systems, Inc., 814 Airway Avenue,Sutherlin, Oregon 97479, 800 348 9643,www.orenco.com

• OSI Sealants, Inc.,/Henkel Corporation,32150 Just Imagine Drive, Avon, Ohio 44011, 800499 3089, www.osisealants.com

• Owens Corning, 1 Owens Corning Parkway,Toledo, Ohio 43659, 800 438 7465,www.owenscorning.com

• Phase Change Energy Solutions, BioPCM,120 East Pritchard Street, Asheboro, North

Carolina 27203, 336 629 3000,www.phasechangeenergy.com

• PEARL Protected, 730 Peachtree Stree, NESuite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30308, 800 374 5737,www.pearlprotected.com

• Pella Corporation, 102 Main Street, Pella,Iowa 50219, 641 621 6577, 5700 CommerceBoulevard, Rohert Park, California 94928 707 5880140, www.pella.com

• Rosebud Studios, Ed Rose, P.O. Box 432,The Sea Ranch, California 94597, 707 865 1146

• Russell Peffer Plumbing, P.O. Box 152,Hathaway Pines, California 95233, 209 768 4551

• Portland Cement Association, 5420 OldOrchard Road, Skokie, Illinois 60077, 847 9666200, www.cement.org

• QUALCON, Travis Swithenbank, P.O. Box566, 333 East Pine Street, Fort Bragg, California95437, 707 964 5000

• Rainhandler/Savetime Corporation, 2710North Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604, 800942 3004, www.rainhandler.com

• Revere Copper Products, Inc., One ReverePark, Rome, New York 13440-5561, 800 448 1776,www.reverecopper.com

• Roth Global Plastics/FRALO, P.O. Box 245,Syracuse, New York 13211, 866 943 7256,www.roth-global.net

• RSF Fireplaces/Industrial Chimney Company,400 J-F Kennedy, St. Jerome, Quebec, J7Y 4B7Canada, 450 565 6336, www.icc-rsf.com

• Seepage Control, 7301 West Boston Street,Chandler, Arizona 85226, 800 214 9640,www.seepagecontrol.com

• Serious Materials, 1250 Elko Drive,Sunnyvale, California 94089, 408 541 8102,www.seriousmaterials.com

• SipBuilder, Mic Carmichael, 13650 EmpressRoad, Nevada City, California 95959, 530 2656027, 530 277 8847, www.sipbuilder.com

• Smart Drain, Drawer 2219, Columbia,Maryland 21045, 800 638 8582,www.smartdrain.com

• Spratt Plumbing, William “Willy” Spratt, P.O.Box 375, Avery, California 95224, 209 770 2139

• Spunstrand Incorporated, 620 North PostStreet, Post Falls, Idaho 83854, 208 777 7444,www.spunstrand.com

• Steve Michelson Productions, Lobitos CreekRanch, 2800 Lobitos Creek Road, Half Moon Bay,California 94019-2547, 650 726 2460,www.lobitoscreekranch.com

• Sierra Pacific Builders / Stevenson Electric,Roger Stevenson,1340 Highway 4, P.O. Box 2642,Arnold, California 95223, 209 768 2100

• Southwest Electric Enterprises, Inc.(QuietCool/EnviroCool), 31235 Loretta Rd Unit C,Winchester, California 92596-9466, 888.784.3826,www.quietcoolfans.com

• StormTech, 20 Beaver Road, Suite 104,Wethersfield, Connecticut 06109, 888 892 2694,www.stormtech.com

• Stormwater Solutions, LLC /EcoRainSystems, Inc., 3940 Laurel CanyonBoulevard, Suite 856, Studio City, California 91604,866 786 7690, www.stormh2osolutions.com

• Sylvan Source, 1509 Industrial Road, SanCarlos, California 94070, 800.640.0469,www.sylvansource.com

• ThermaSAVE/IHSN, Inc, 4002 Helton Drive,Florence, Alabama 35630, 256 766 3378,www.thermapanel.net

• Tobias Stucco, 2930 Dutton Avenue, SantaRosa, California 95407, 707 577 8196,www.tobiasstucco.com

• Trimline Building Products, 5315 SW 53rdCourt, Portland, Oregon 97221-1937, 503 3201155, www.trimline-products.com

• UltraGlas Inc., 9200 Gazette Avenue,Chatsworth California 91311, 800 777 2332,

www.ultraglas.com• Unirac, Inc., 1411 Broadway Boulevard NE,

Albequerque, New Mexico 87102, 505 242 6411,www.uniracy.com

• Uponor North America, 5925 148th StreetWest, Apple Valley, Minnesota 85254, 800 3214739, uponor-usa.com

• VELUX America, Inc., 104 Ben Cassey Drive,Forth Mill, South Carolina 29708, 888 838 3589,www.VELUX.com

• Vulcan-Hart Company, P.O. Box 696,Louisville, Kentucky 40201, 800 814 2028,www.vulcanequipment.com/Vulcan

• Wasco Products, Inc., 22 Pioneer Avenue,Sanford, Maine 04073, 800 388 0293,www.wascoproducts.com

• WaterFurnace International, Inc., 9000Conservation Way, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46809, 800222 5667, www.waterfurnace.com,www.stormh2osolutions.com

• Weeks Drilling & Pump Company, ChrisThompson, 6100 Highway 12, Sebastopol,California 95472, 707 823 3184,www.weeksdrilling.com

• Weston Solutions, Inc., 750 Bunker Court,Suite 500, Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061, 847 918 4000,

www.greengridroofs.com• Whirlpool Corporation/KitchenAid, 2000 M63

North, Benton Harbor, Michagan, 49022, 269 9235000, www.whirlpool.com

• Zurn Flo-Thru Operation, 116 Molly Rex Lane,Mooresville, North Carolina 28117, 704 799 7087,www.zurn.com




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