February 17th, 2010
Without fanfare or articles in the mainstream media, the Energy Efficient Building Act became effective in Illinois on January 29, 2010 for most new residential construction in Illinois. As mentioned in an earlier blog, Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn signed the new statewide residential energy code into law on August 28th 2009. The delay between signing the law and its effective date has been the necessity to write the administrative rules.
The Energy Efficient Building Act adopts the requirements of the latest edition of the International Energy Code, currently the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The requirements are statewide, with the exemption of a few communities such as the City of Chicago and approximately 30 other municipalities that had adopted the 2006 IECC prior to May 15th, 2009. Apart from the exempted communities, no local municipality has the authority to mandate energy requirements less than or greater than the requirements of the 2009 IECC.
It’s likely that many architects, builders and code officials are not yet aware of the new residential energy code requirements. Although SWA Architects has already been providing upgraded insulation packages for many of the homes we design, the new code will affect some of our details and specifications. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Bill Styczynski, Building Code, Energy Efficiency, Legacy Design and Construction, Residential
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February 12th, 2010
When SWA Architects and JAW Builders teamed up, it was decided that our goal would be to design and build a home that would attain the highest level of green certification within the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Building Program. It was important to set this goal before the first line of design drawings was ever put on paper, so that we could review all of the requirements of the Green Building Program, and incorporate everything that would be necessary to meet the Emerald level status.
The site of this new home is a tear-down property that’s existing home has reached its life span and is no longer efficient. This means that we are using an infill site, where existing infrastructure such as roads, sewer, water, etc. are already in place and will be used to serve the new home. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Green Construction, Gregg Stahr, Jaw Builders, Residential
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February 12th, 2010
Thomas Fend and SWA Architects were contracted by Geriatric Care Associate to design a new office facility to fulfill both their present and future needs. The new facility is located in a one level office building in Westmont, Illinois. The previously vacant 3,000 square foot space had large windows along only two sides which limited the natural light entering the interior of the space. Large interior windows, transoms and arch topped French doors were used to permit the natural and artificial light to flow between rooms and into the centrally locate business offices. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Build-Outs, Thomas Fend
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January 28th, 2010
Design has wrapped up on the Green Home in Wheaton. SWA Architects and JAW Builders have worked together to devise a strategy for building what is planned to be an Emerald level certified home through the NAHB Green Building Program.
Home size is a key element when designing a home, and it is important to design a home that is appropriate for a families needs without adding unnecessary or excess space. At 3,600 square feet, the home is larger than what some would consider an ideal “green” designed home, but numerous factors, including the need for a home office, dictated the design. Limiting transition spaces such as halls and foyers to only what is needed helps create an efficient floor plan where living space is maximized. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Energy Efficiency, Green Construction, Gregg Stahr, Jaw Builders, Residential
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January 28th, 2010
SWA Architects had the pleasure to design the lakefront vacation home for Bill & Kathy Radostits on Little St. Germain Lake in northern Wisconsin. The home is designed to be all about family gatherings. Bill’s parents originally vacationed at this location starting in 1956, when the property was part of Ryckaert’s Resort, where they vacationed each summer. When Bill and Kathy were married and raising their family, they continued the Radostits tradition, continued to vacation in the area enjoying the fishing, boating and hunting. In 1997, Bill & Kathy had the opportunity to purchase the property, including two small cabins, with the dream of eventually building a year round vacation home. The dream is now becoming reality, as construction has begun on the Radostits home. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Green Construction, Gregg Stahr, Residential
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