G•O Logic in Residential Architect
G•O logic’s prototype home being built in Belfast was recently featured in Residential Architect’s innovate Shelter Lab column, written by Bruce Snider. The article captures the spirit of the project, describing the home’s super energy efficiency and stylish and practical design. To read the article link to: http://www.residentialarchitect.com/sustainability/savings-plan.aspx
Jetson Green Features the GO Logic prototype
Jetson Green, known for their focus on resource conservation, energy efficient and green technology in residential design and construction, has featured the GO Logic prototype on its site. The article describes the prototype project with its many green design elements, as well as its latest coverage in the news. You can read more GO Logic… Read more »
G•O Logic on Maine Public Broadcasting
G•O Logic was recently featured on radio news by Tom Porter of Maine Public Broadcasting. The story describes G•O Logic’s soon to be completed prototype home in Belfast, that is scheduled to obtain the first Passive House Certification in Maine. To hear the story please link to: http://www.mpbn.net/Home/tabid/36/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3478/ItemId/11653/Default.aspx
What makes a healthy home?
Once at a building conference I heard about the results of a study on air quality. The study said the air quality inside the average new home in rural Wisconsin was 8 times worse than the air quality outdoors in New York City. This made my head swim. How could it be true? And then… Read more »
Juice Conference Powerpoint Excerpt
Matt O’Malia and Alan Gibson of G•O Logic presented: Smart Houses Don’t Just Stand There at the Juice 2.0 conference last Friday. The following powerpoint was used for the presentation.
NEAIA 2009 Special Mention for Excellence in Architecture
Elliott Elliott Norelius Architecture, with Matthew O’Malia as project architect, has received the prestigious 2009 Special Mention for Excellence in Architecture from the New England chapter of American Institute of Architects. The New England chapter of American Institute of Architects acknowledges design excellence each year through their design awards program. Awards are given in categories… Read more »
Air Sealing
There is a measure for the amount of air leaks, or “infiltration” that passes through a building’s shell, and it can be determined by a blower door test. The test results for this measure of infiltration can sound rather abstract, but in fact, the amount of air that leaks or infiltrates a building’s shell has… Read more »
Portland Press Herald
Portland Press Herald’s Tux Turkel toured G·O Logic’s Belfast prototype house and the resulting front-page article is out: ‘Green’ to the Extreme: House May Cut Energy Costs by 90%’ The article reviews some of the fundamental differences between this ‘energy-frugal’ home and standard construction, from foundation to roof and beyond. The house is a model… Read more »
Hybrid Timber Frame Structural System
With the grade beam footings complete, the next step in the construction process is the erection of the hybrid timber frame. The concept behind the structural timber frame system was to create a structural system that is simple, quick to install, and easy to replicate. The structural concept also required a separation of the load… Read more »
Site Work: Formwork Installation
Once the underslab insulation was installed we proceeded with installing the foundation formwork, another process that was rather simple and quick. For the foundation of the building we will be using a grade beam system, similar to a slab on grade. To create the grade beam, we used prefabricated, insulated formwork called: insulated concrete forms… Read more »
Site Work: Underslab Insulation Installed
The flowable fill discussed previously has created a quick, even pad on which a layer of high-density expanded polystyrene insulation is installed. The insulation sheets come in large sizes – 4’ x 16’ x 6” thick – making them quick and easy to install. Our total installation time with only two people involved was about… Read more »
Site Work: Pad Completed
As with any building, creating a solid foundation is important as it provides the base for the rest of the structure. In order to improve the thermal performance of the building, as well as reduce construction costs, a slab on grade foundation was designed for the prototype. Typical residential foundations consist of concrete foundation walls… Read more »
Site Work: Trenching for Utilities
Despite this spring’s torrential rains, excavation for the utilities and the driveway proceeded rapidly. By restricting the footprint of the utility work and quickly replacing the topsoil in disturbed areas, we prevented the site from deteriorating into an unworkable mud pit. It was decided early on in the project to have all the utilities enter… Read more »
Site Work: Building Location
The building site for the prototype was chosen for its gently rolling topography, open space and proximity to Belfast’s downtown. The three acre lot was previously used as a hay field and woodlot, but in the recent years has only been maintained as a meadow. This gently sloping landscape allows for inexpensive, low-impact construction, while… Read more »