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T h e   L o w - E n e r g y   D u p l e x

Winooski, Vermont

Low-Energy Duplex for the 21st Century

- Super Energy-Efficient       - LEED Certified      - Modular Construction     

This design addresses the need for affordable, sustainable urban infill housing.  This particular project is in Winooski, a small city just outside of Burlington, VT.  The lot is small and narrow (33' x 100').  The new building replaces an existing structure, a single-family home that had deteriorated beyond the point of economically feasible renovation.

This design creates two small one-bedroom units - one in the front and one in the back.  Each unit has a full basement and parking for one vehicle.  The house is a 5 minute walk from Winooski's downtown where there is shopping, services and nightlife, and a short bike or bus ride to the larger City of Burlington.  While the existing house was non-conforming with the local zoning ordinance in almost every aspect, the new duplex conforms entirely and won quick and unanimous approval of the local board.  At 720 Gross Square Feet per unit (not including the basement), it is intended for single persons or couples.  On a slightly larger Winooski site, family size units based on this prototype are planned.

The house will be "super-insulated" with walls approaching R-50 and a roof near R-70.  With a house this small and this well insulated, the biggest challenge is finding mechanical and heating systems that are small enough so that they don't overheat the units. 

The roof is flat and will have large planted "Green Roof" areas, as well as four photovoltaic solar panel arrays.  The overall energy use will be extremely low, but there will probably not be enough site-generated power to achieve a true balance between energy generated and energy used.  On a different site, perhaps a true "Zero-Net" energy use situation could be achieved with a similar design.  

The building will be constructed off-site as four separate modules by Huntington Homes, ensuring a high level of quality control.  This also keeps costs down as on-site labor is reduced to a matter of days instead of weeks or months.

As an option for home-ownership, the construction of a duplex raises the value of the property significantly, and the rental income offsets the cost of ownership.