After years of use as a rental, this complete remodel transformed a typical tri-level into a modern, energy efficient home the owner could be proud of. No square footage was added, yet the home has plenty of room for a family of three. Two upper floor bedrooms were combined into a master suite with stackable laundry, walk-in closet, and built-in desk. The lower bedroom and family room were combined into two bedrooms and the lower level bathroom and laundry closet combined into new full bath. The kitchen was completely re-done and a front porch added.

The house is a 1,270 square foot tri-level and was built in 1963. The owner, Gregg Olsen, bought it in May of 2007. He was attracted to the house because of its views. The remodel was designed by VaST high-performance architecture & green design, and the work done by RandomSPACE.

The remodel is on the original footprint, with no square footage added, which  enhances the “green” quality of the project. The yellow brick on the exterior is original material. The wood siding on the second story element was replaced with a combination of powder-coated, low maintenance, metal and stucco. The new overhanging roof above the entry is done in a wing style and accentuates the contemporary look of the remodel.

The front porch is constructed of wide CMU blocks, and the tops of the walls serve as additional seating. The original concrete walk from the driveway to the front door was relocated to join the sidewalk instead. This created more of a welcoming gesture for guests. The large vertical chain off the front entry takes the place of a traditional downspout and serves to direct water into a basin.

The garage door features a custom, asymmetrical window arrangement, which echoes the pattern in the living room windows.

The house was torn down to the studs and rebuilt using “green” practices. The low-maintenance, high-performing windows were custom made by local window manufacturer Serious Material (formerly Alpen Energy Products). Fiberglass are superior to vinyl for several reasons including the fact that they come in a variety of colors rather than just white and fiberglass expands and contracts at the same rate as the glazing giving them a longer life span. Vinyl is a product VaST tries to avoid at all costs because it is very toxic to produce. The paint used on the interior was environmentally friendly, too. There is also a very efficient tankless hot water heater. The floor in the kitchen and downstairs bath feature Marmoleum. Above the stairs to the upper level is a heat recovery ventilator, required to ensure sufficient air replacement because the house is sealed so tightly. Winter electric bill only $60. No AC. The house also features Energy Star appliances and a dual flush toilet.

The kitchen floor is Marmoleum, a linseed oil-based product. The cabinets (on legs) are from IKEA. Although not formaldehyde free, IKEA cabinets are made to the European standard of formaldehyde content which is lower parts per million than the American standard for cabinets of the same price range. The sink and faucet are IKEA, too. The stylized bar lights are fluorescent and cost less than $100 each.

The downstairs area used to be a family room and small bedroom. The space was remodeled to include a small bath with a colorful mosaic of blue, green and white tiles. The bathroom flooring is Marmoleum. The carpeting and padding is wool, which eliminates off-gassing. The downstairs bedroom was designed for Gregg's 12 year-old daughter. The built-in bed surround adds interest to the room, as well as providing storage in the very deep pull out drawers below the bed. This extra storage space minimizes the need for a dresser.

Upstairs—Gregg added a laundry room with stacked washer/dryer. Because of limited space, pocket doors were used. All the doors are solid birch. The Master Suite was originally two bedrooms. It was opened up and reconfigured as a sleeping area with a built-in desk and a walk in closet. The bathroom was also reconfigured. The upstairs is all about the efficient use of space. The master bathroom (left photo) features a dual flush toilet. The sink, faucet and light fixture are all from IKEA. The girls' bath (right) is finished with colorful mosic tile from Hakatai.