Sustainable House

This new house for a family of four overlooks the C&O Canal and the Potomac River from a bluff in suburban Maryland. Living spaces are elevated to take advantage of views to the south, and an entry courtyard serves to block noise and give privacy from a nearby road.

The house is designed to achieve a LEED rating, and utilizes active energy saving devices such as geothermal heat pumps and computer controlled shading controls as well as traditional passive techniques, such as natural cross ventilation , roof overhangs for shading and minimal glass toward the north.

Currently under construction, it will be completed in 2009.