Located in a rural neighborhood section of the capital city of Concord, New Hampshire, this multi-generational, aging-in-place house demonstrates how a zero net energy, sustainable residence can be built within a reasonable budget to incorporate multiple themes of long life cycle value.  One of the first zero net homes in northern New England, the house occupies a 2.12 buildable footprint surrounded by 6.74 acres of conservation easement land along the shore of Turtle Pond.  The project is comprised of two separate structures connected by a 70-foot diameter courtyard.  The house and attached two car garage follow the natural sloping terrain facing south-east with views towards the pond, woodlands and wetlands.  Three distinctive rectangular volumes make up the garage, main living space, and bedroom wing; accented by a timber framed, gable main entrance that offers transparency and a visual link to the pond beyond.  Off the rear of the main living area are two timber trussed, gable roof spaces each extending 16’ out from the rear of the home, which are elevated and connected by an open wood framed deck.  The first enclosed space is a 14’x16’ 3-season room which shares a common 12’ NanaWall folding/sliding glass door assembly with the dining area.  The second partially enclosed space opens off the foyer/main entry onto an open deck and sunken spa that is contiguous with the open connecting deck.  The lower level of the home is below grade on three sides, with two at-grade entrances from the rear, and is washed with natural light from oversized windows and sliding glass doors facing the pond.  The detached carriage style garage faces north and its long sloping roof to the south supports 60 photovoltaic solar panels, yet nestles itself comfortably into the sloping terrain on two sides.

Location:
Concord, New Hampshire 03301
United States

Architect: 
The H.L. Turner Group Inc.

Project Completion Date: 
August 2012

Project Site: 
Previously Undeveloped Land

Project Type: 
Residential – Single-Family

Project Site Context/Setting: 
Rural

Building Gross Floor Area: 
4,100 square feet