“Green”: renovation of the Meridian View results in sixty percent energy savings

American architectural studio ISTUDIO under the guidance of Rick Harlan Schneider completed the restyling of a single-family home on the basis of the rules of sustainable building: good insulation, energy-efficient mechanical systems and applications and use of eco-friendly materials.

These concepts, combined with a design emphasising flexibility, passive energy savings and water conservation, produce outstanding results not only in terms of environmental impact but in aesthetic terms too.

Meridian View is named for its panoramic view of Meridian Hill Park, best enjoyed from the new terrace, which is more than just a belvedere: it serves the specific function of acting as a solar chimney. This clean, ecological air conditioning method has already been in use for thousands of years, improving ventilation in buildings by exploiting the fact that hot air naturally rises and contributes to energy cost savings up to 60%.

The rooftop pavilion permits enjoyment of a space which had not been used in the past, and is built around the solar stack which is hidden from view by a wooden covering, providing natural ventilation for the entire home. The inclined roof of the new construction helps collect rainwater so that it can be used for the garden.

The interiors have been redesigned to promote use of natural light and satisfy the client’s request for more open spaces.The building materials, primarily wood, come from plantations certified by the “Forest Stewardship Council”(the famous initials FSC, meaning responsible forest stewardship) and are subjected only to natural treatments.ISTUDIO has come up with a project with a clear message: Green living is possible in the city!

Design: ISTUDIO, Washington D.C., USA, 
Location: Washington D.C., USA
Photographs: Courtesy of Rick Harlan Schneider
Awards: AIA Show You're Green, 2010, AIA Washington DC Sustainable Design 2009