The clients – an artist and an attorney – asked for a “very sustainable modern” house for their blended family, which is generously populated with children and an ever growing array of rescued dogs. They approached us to design a modern and thoroughly “green” residence with clean lines and clear volumes, and open, uncluttered interior spaces filled with sunlight, panoramic views, and easy access to the outdoors.
Perched on a knoll above the Haw River rapids in Chatham County, the 2600-square-foot house was designed to be perfectly at home within its wooded site. In form, footprint, and materials, it defers to the towering deciduous trees and evergreens that rise among craggy rocks and boulders along the riverbank. The architect was inspired by the trees that were bent and floating out over the riverbank. The house echoes these forms by floating out over the knoll toward the western view of the river.
Three major exterior elements extend the living space toward the river view as if they are floating among the trees: a cantilevered screen porch, a deck off the house’s main volume, and a private cantilevered deck off the master bedroom.
A graceful butterfly roof shelters the main living space inside. Its purpose is for more than shelter, however.
The site is remote and harsh. The existing well provides less than 1 gallon per minute. Power outages in the area are common. For all these reasons, a PV system and rooftop water collection became imperatives. With a massive carefully designed gutter leading to downspouts on each end of the house, the butterfly roof funnels 100 percent of the rainwater that falls on it into two massive above-ground cisterns leading to triple filtering system including a UV system to kill 99.9% of the bacteria that may appear in rainwater.
The local health department has never approved a potable water system before. They have approved the project’s gray water collection and will graduate the system into a potable water source once a few months of monitoring data prove that the quality of the water exceeds local well water.
Among the many features that elevate the house to Net Zero status are the geothermal heating and cooling system and a roof mounted PV system. Triple-glazed, European Passive House windows and doors – including a 20-foot-wide sliding glass door on the riverside elevation -- contribute to the house’s super-tight envelope. Schechter also carefully designed the fenestration and open floor plan to assure that every interior space enjoys natural light and natural cross ventilation.
For all its high function, there’s also a sybaritic side to the Haw River House, expressed through such luxuries as a floating private deck off the master suite; passive house corner windows in both bathrooms; a soaking tub with a corner window by a fireplace in the master bathroom; a soaking pool with an integral hot tub overlooking the rapids, and space for a future home sauna.
22.5 KW PV Rooftop Solar Array
Double the code requirement for insulation in the thermal envelope
Seals on all air gaps.
An Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) for an extremely tight house.
R-75 roof insulation
Air to Brine Geothermal Heat Pump -- 3 geothermal wells
Two 5000 gallon above ground cisterns. When full, they would last 230 days without a rainfall.
Sliding cypress screens originally designed by the architect were removed for cost reasons. However, solar reflective shades will be installed on the exterior of the deck before spring. These are critical for deflecting solar heat gain from the brutal western sun.
What was the brief?
A house with a very strong indoor outdoor connection and a multitude of exterior spaces to enjoy the river.
What were the key challenges?
The site is very harsh. The river view faces due West - the worst orientation in our hot southern climate. The existing water well only provided 1/2 gallon of water per minute! Electrical power is very spotty in this remote location.
Who are the clients and what's interesting about them?
The clients are an attorney and his artist wife. They have kids from previous marriages and a pack of rescued dogs that seems to be growing larger! The house is meant to be a gathering place for the wider family to visit and enjoy the river.
How is the project unique?
We tried to make a "beautiful workhorse" - a house that would function to provide all the systems they need while being artistically enjoyable. The butterfly roof is not just for show, but collects all the rooftop water from the high roof. Multiple porches and decks "reach out" toward the river.
What are the sustainability features?
Our studio specializes in net zero, but this project went even further along the sustainability spectrum, even for us. It has two 5000 gallon rainwater collection above ground tanks, 3 geothermal wells, a rooftop solar array and local materials in the form of southern pine wood and cedar.
Team:
Architect: Arielle Schechter, Architect, PLLC
Photography: Tzu Chen
