Queen Anne Urban Retreat

This project incorporated the principles of Settlement Ecology, Land Use & Economics, Healthier Building, Resource Conservation, and Energy Conservation into its design.

Settlement Ecology, Land Use & Economics

• A concrete slab on a parking spot off the alley was broken up, and GeoBlock, a porous paving system made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, was laid down. This makes a water-permeable surface that plants (here clover, fava beans, thyme and mint) can grow through that also supports the weight of a vehicle. This improved a problem with the site - a too-hot microclimate on the west side of the house - and reduced run-off.

Healthier Building

• Materials and finishes throughout were healthier. For example: Floor and millwork were finished with "Crystal Shield" a water-dispersed clear finish well tolerated by many people with sensitivity to solvent-based finishes. Locally made low-toxic Best Paints were used for opaque finishes. Weather-Bos wood preservative was used for wood in contact with concrete. Caulkings were by AFM. Cabinets were made from solid wood and formaldehyde-free Medite II.
• A 6" fresh air intake vent and a folded media filter were added to the existing forced-air gas heating system. On a cycle controlled by a timer, an electrically operated damper on the intake opens to bring in fresh air. At the same time, a quiet Panasonic bath fan turns on to exhaust stale air.
• A countertop water filter in the studio, and a shower head filter in the bath remove chlorine and heavy metals from water at the source.

Resource Conservation

• A quiet Asko front-loading clothes washer fits under a counter in the studio. This washer uses 17 gallons for an average 7 pound load, versus 45 gallons for a typical top-loading model. Although the Asko is about twice as expensive to buy, operating costs are reduced to less than half those of a normal washing machine - plus, clothes last longer.
• Full job-site recycling was implemented.
• Window sills and a table top for the meditation room are "Environ" - a material made from soy protein and recycled newspapers - invented by a sixth grader!
• Handmade 4x4 tiles made from recycled glass bottles were used for the shower surround.
• Salvaged Douglas fir timber from dismantled warehouses was remilled into five-inch wide tongue-and-groove wood flooring.
• Granite for the bath vanity (from Bedrock Industries) was salvaged from off-cuts from the construction of Paul Allen's private gym.
• Several interior doors were salvage from Bright Street's previous jobs.
• Old shelves in the basement were planed down and used for most of the new trim.

Energy Conservation

• The concrete basement wall was insulated with 1 1/2" CFC-free rigid foam with 25% post-consumer content behind finger-jointed 2x4 studs, with unfaced rockwool (made from waste slag) in the stud space.
• Single-glazed windows were replaced with energy-efficient U-.32 double-glazed, low-e, argon-filled Marvin wood windows.
• Dimmers were installed on all lights. Dimmers reduce energy consumption, and increase lamp life by two to twenty times.

Design Team: Rob Harrison, Matthew Sullivan

Structural Engineer: Richard Ballinger Consulting Engineers

General Contractor: Bright Street Construction

Air-Tightening Consultant: Energy Options Northwest

Suppliers and Manufacturers: Environmental Home Center - Crystal Shield, AFM products, Best Paints; J2 Timberworks - remilled fir flooring; Bedrock Industries - Blazestone recycled glass tiles, Equinox International - water filtration.