Introducing a net-zero energy use home, built with our future in mind.

With simple gabled roof forms, cedar shingles, and metal roofing, the new net-zero all-electric ocean-front residence will integrate with the Cape style houses of the surrounding neighborhood.

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Behind the cedar shingles, the house uses a combination of new and traditional building methods and materials to cut embodied carbon, reduce energy use, and improve environmental and occupant health.

Chief among them is a biocomposite called hemplime (also known as hempcrete) that replaces plywood sheathing, synthetic house wrap, and spray foam insulation. In addition to providing thermal resistance (R-Value), hemplime wall and roof assemblies improve indoor air quality, buffer heat and moisture, are fire, mold, and pest resistant, inherently air-tight, and sequester carbon.

Building with hemplime using conventional methods typically takes weeks, but takes just a fraction of the time using an innovative high-production European spray-applied system. When completed, this project will be the first in North America to employ this system.

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The landmark residence is designed to be net-zero energy use, and incorporates the following materials and systems:

Near zero use of petroleum-based foam insulations. Substitutes include foamed glass aggregate subgrade insulation (100% recycled material), hemplime, mineral wool, vacuum panels, and recycled denim acoustic insulations.

Vapor-open hemplime wall and roof assemblies with sidewall cedar shingles and zinc standing seam roof cladding.

Pile and grade beam + pier foundation design allows the house to be lifted in the future for flood resilience.

High-efficiency HVAC with a fully distributed fresh air system.

15kW PV array system, whole-house backup battery ready.

Domestic and local materials including eastern white cedar shingles, Appalachian black locust decking, triple-paned wood windows.

Healthy building materials including high fly ash / slag concrete mix with reduced use of Portland Cement; avoidance of pressure treated lumber where chemical leaching into coastal aquatic environment could occur; minimal use of polyvinyl chlorides through the use of ABS and other substitutes for piping; and low or no VOC finishes and sealants.

Native plantings landscaping.