Free Consultation

To arrange a free, no obligation consultation, contact Thomas today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Client Testimonial

"Thomas' professional experience and talent made my project successful both aesthetically and economically."

— Becky Shoag

Case Study: A Net-Zero Energy House

Inspired by the architecture of the Pueblo Indians, the Moore House was designed by Doerr Architecture to create more energy than it uses, a net-zero energy home. Mike and Ann Moore had property at almost 8000 feet elevation in the Rocky Mountains of Evergreen, Colorado and wanted a 3500 square foot home with space to show their art collection. They wanted a home that captured the feel of adobe architecture as well as the views of the continental divide while treading lightly on the earth.

Courtyard Gate

Architect Thomas Doerr alluded to Pueblo buildings with a composition of simple forms that have flat roofs, plaster walls, vigas (log beams), turquoise-colored window frames and a circular courtyard reminiscent of Native American spiritual spaces, kivas.

Exploded bird's eye view

The Moore House achieves net-zero energy usage by:

Passive solar design: used proper building orientation, thermal mass and windows to allow the sun to heat and cool the house cleanly and for free. Clearstory windows allow natural convection to exhaust hot summer air high and bring in natural sunlight to the living and dining rooms.

Super-insulated and air-tight construction: walls of 7” spray foam insulation plus 1” rigid for thermal break, R-30; air changes of 0.07 NACH; quadruple glazed windows.

Solar thermal panels: 180 evacuated tubes feed a 2000 gallon tank (reclaimed stainless steel milk tank) to supply both hot water and supplemental heat for the home by radiant floors and use of a water-to-air heat exchanger.

10kW photovoltaic (PV) system: generates more carbon-free electricity (14,400 kWh per year) than the house requires. Instead of using batteries, this grid-tied PV system will spin the electric meter backwards.

Fresh air conditioning system: air will be pre-heated in the winter and pre-cooled in the summer as it is routed through 300 feet of duct in the earth.

Energy-recovery ventilator (ERV): will save most of the heat from exhausted air in the winter.

Fireplace and Gallery

Although energy-efficient design would minimize glass on eastern and western walls, the Moores wanted to maximize their view of the continental divide to the west. To capture this view while rejecting the western heat Doerr Architecture 'tuned' the windows with double heat-reflective glass.

The US Energy Star program states that a standard new home has a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) score of 100. The better a home performs, the lower its HERS score. The green building strategies used on the Moore Studio earned it an amazing and verified HERS score of -3; one of a few houses in the US to ever do this.

To conserve water, the builder, Ecofutures, installed a system that takes grey water from sinks and baths, filters it and supplies it to toilets. To conserve trees and add character, posts and beams were salvaged from demolished buildings. Special columns and vigas were salvaged from local beetle-kill trees. All other lumber is certified by FSC (Forrest Stewardship Council) to be sustainably harvested.

Stairwell

To protect the clients from toxic material off-gassing, all the cabinets in the kitchen, bathrooms and elsewhere are of natural pine; no urea formaldehyde. Other low-emission building materials and the very efficient ERV fresh air system will also ensure safe indoor air quality.

With its delightful forms, wonderful daylighting and green design, the Moore house is proof that you do not have to sacrifice beauty or comfort to live sustainably.

Courtyard. Photo by Dennis Ferdinandsen

To create your own green home, contact Doerr Architecture at 303.544.0209 or at http://BuildSustainably.com