Green Under the Gondola
By Dagny McKinley
The piece of property sat untended and for sale for many
years. The land was too steep and too rocky. The property
was inaccessible. To develop the land would cost too much.
However, in the wake of Steamboat’s recent land-grab,
property prices have soared, and the development of
such challenging properties has become more cost-effective.
This piece of land suddenly has something going for it.
Tucked into a hill under the gondola with incredible
views of the surrounding valley, ski-in, ski-out is
no small bonus.
Thirty years ago a company was formed. Part of their mission
statement read, “At its inception, Habitat Design &
Construction is committed to the notion of creating
innovative, environmentally sensitive, yet stimulating
variations of human shelter.” Fifteen years ago, president
of Habitat Construction, Michael L. Roberts, upon receiving
Steamboat’s “Shining Star” Award for excellence in, and
commitment to, environmental responsibility said, "There’s a
more potent
source of
gratification
here which
lies in the power
that comes from
sharing with
others a
conviction in
something we
know undeniably
is good
and
right and true.”
While Roberts claims to be a cynic now, he continues to share his belief in bringing environmentally sound practices to construction. He understands the earth’s resources are limited and reflects this consciousness in each project. Finding like minds wasn’t hard. Enlisting the help of Keith Kelly and Tim Stone, principals of Kelly & Stone Architects, brought a younger, fresher view to the project. Kelly & Stone reminded Roberts of himself in his more youthful days. He was impressed with their ideas, energy and ambition. While Mike was pleasantly surprised with the numerous ways in which Keith and Tim altered design biases Mike didn’t even realize he had, the entire group credits each other with enhancing their insights about shelter—a synergy in its truest form. As Stone says, “Mike is on the forefront of green building. He wants to set an example for what can be done, and he is.” Together they conceived a vision to build a luxurious but energy efficient and green-as-possible structure.
The lot was rocky; in fact, it was a solid chunk of gneiss, a high grade metamorphic rock, harder than granite. They figured four to five days would be enough to blast a hole for the foundation, but the process ended up taking six weeks. After that, the fun began.
Because the parcel of land was not very large, they decided to build vertically. The duplex now seems to grow out of the rock lot. Architectural stone “helps to visually tie and anchor the property to the site,” says Stone. As such, the intentionally exposed and highlighted structural elements of stone, steel and timber complement each other in an organic manner.
The lot sits under the gondola, so having an enticing roof façade was a high priority for the architects. They decided on a living roof to “blur the boundaries between units,” says Kelly. Living roofs protect from sun and absorb rain while the plant life provides oxygen and habitat for insects and birds. Utilizing the green roof enabled the complete separation of both homes; the only connection occurs at the garage. This gives each unit the feel of being a custom single family home, not just on the interior, but on the exterior as well.
“Indoor air quality is usually one of the most overlooked aspects of homebuilding,” says Roberts. In line with Roberts’ belief that a house must be healthy and comfortable, every detail of the house was implemented with energy conservation in mind. In the past, because housing structures were not built as tightly as today, there were cracks where air was able to sneak in. This allowed fresh air in and humidity and carbon dioxide out. When tighter materials like stucco were created, the result was inadequate ventilation and poor air quality that led to ”sick house syndrome” which contributes to allergies, weakened immune systems, dried out mucous membranes and consequently more frequent colds and illnesses. While commercial buildings have air quality regulations, residential properties still do not.
Today frames are being built more tightly and insulation has improved to reduce energy usage. Without a means to exchange fresh air for stale air built up inside the house, indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air. The Ski Trail Lane project involved a number of strategies for providing fresh clean air. A mechanical ventilation system regulates air exchange by measuring air quality. The system measures levels of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, particulate pollution and humidity and draws in fresh air before pollutant levels become excessive. Humidity levels can be particularly dangerous as showers, hot tubs and even mere breathing can create moisture levels which can lead to mold growth.
Methods to cut down on energy waste include a mechanical destratification system, or internal fan loop, which moves cool air from the basement level of the house upward, and warm air downward to keep the entire volume of the house at an even temperature. For ventilation, a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) brings in fresh air. As it does so, it transfers heat from outgoing air to incoming air so energy isn’t wasted constantly warming fresh air. Timers were installed on bathroom exhaust fans so they wouldn’t be left running unnecessarily. As well, sealed-combustion fireplaces reduce the risk of carbon monoxide “back-drafting” into the home.
Because he doesn’t believe any certification is valid if the home isn’t third-party tested, Roberts enlisted Megan Gilman of Active Energies, Inc., to test that the house really was energy efficient. Megan describes the process: “A large fan is placed in an exterior doorway to blow air out of the home. We then measure how fast the fan has to keep spinning to keep the home negatively pressurized. If the fan has to keep spinning to keep the home negative, we know that air is leaking in somewhere.” Active Energies also consults during the insulation portion of construction and advises which areas might be troublesome and what could be improved. The duplex received one of the highest ratings Active Energies has ever provided.
From the beginning, this property was constructed to the highest standards of a program called Built Green of Colorado, thanks to the hard work of everyone involved, especially the sub-contractors. “The purpose of Built Green Colorado is to encourage home builders to use technologies, products and practices that result in homes that are better built and better for the environment,” says the Built Green website.
Keeping with the natural theme, Kelly and Stone designed the interior to feature timber detailing and exposed steel beams, giving the house a contemporary feel. As seems to be the trend now, an integrated main level plan opens up the great room, kitchen and dining room into one area. The uncluttered design allows for conversation and congregation.
As often as possible, both Kelly & Stone Architecture and Habitat Construction use reclaimed and recycled materials because they give the home a timeless look, add great character, and, most importantly, reduce the carbon footprint of the structure. Interiors include recycled glass and recycled tile products.
A plethora of windows allow for stunning views, but also bring natural light into the house. Thermal glazing and solar shades help reduce late afternoon sun. Covered porches mitigate heat gain and provide space for relaxation and serenity.
Roberts says “So much of what’s good comes from people who are passionate about what they do.” As usual, Roberts lives by his words. Just listening to Kelly, Roberts and Stone talk, it is clear that there are at least three passionate people committed to creating homes that are comfortable, healthy, and green in Steamboat. 
Features
Yampa Valley Footprints
Kitchen Design
“Where do I start?”
Garage for the Mountain Lifestyle
Steamboat Real Estate - A Better Approach for First-Timers
Departments
The Green Scene
Everyday Sustainable Living Practices
Burn a Tree and Help the Planet
Clean Water Act Down the Drain
Builder Perspectives
Countertops: Clean, Safe, & Functional
Decor & Style
Real Estate
Looking Around for Great Value
Artist Profile
Archive
Winter 2007