Going Green at the Beach in Washington
Posted: August 2009
Situation
Dave Porter of PorterWorks was traveling the national speaking circuit teaching about sustainability when he suddenly shared an epiphany with his wife Anna: We talk about green and energy efficiency all the time, and yet, we’re not living it. So the couple decided to reinvent themselves, and build a showcase to share their green-living experience with others.
To achieve their green dream, the Porters purchased a modest, 1907-built beach cabin in Stanwood, WA, one hour north of Seattle, in 2004. “The cottage was so old and beaten up that we could not realistically salvage it as it was,” explains Porter. “So we completely deconstructed the original structure, and managed to recycle 80 percent of the cabin by either reusing some of the existing materials as part of the new construction, selling or giving them away.” 
The biggest challenge during the building phase of the project was maneuvering machinery and materials around the property, which is only 32 feet wide and surrounded by neighboring homes. In light of these space limitations, the brand-new lighthouse designed by GMS Architectural Group had to be pre-built off site, transported to the location, and lifted by a crane to be installed.
“Building a green home requires a global approach,” adds Porter. “You need to figure out how people, systems and materials will work together to reach perfect symbiosis, and ensure the success of the building project. When we reached out to professionals to assemble our dream team, we selected people we knew had been there before, and could help us make the right choices thanks to their green expertise.”
Going Green at the Beach
The house’s green features include low-maintenance, durable and sustainable materials, e.g. 50-year siding and a 40-year metal roof. Energy efficiency is ensured by a 1.2 KW photovoltaic solar system, a geothermal heat pump, high-efficiency windows, ENERGY STAR® appliances, compact fluorescent lights, a radiant in-floor heating system on the main floor, passive solar, spray-foam insulation and air barrier, and a heat recovery ventilator. It is estimated that solar produces between five and 10 percent of the home’s electrical needs.
An important key to green living is to make the most efficient use out of every inch of space available. The couple uses the entire house, including the lighthouse, which provides an amazing view of the water, and lets a lot of natural light and heat in the home. A room on the second floor is dedicated to reading, watching TV, and listening to music, and also serves as an overflow guest room when the owners get company.
This story was written by the team at HomeSavvi, your comprehensive guide to finding local resources, ideas, tips and expert advice about home remodeling.
Based in Bellevue, WA, GMS Architectural Group was founded in 1985. Recipient of many Marketing and Merchandising Excellence (MAME) awards as well as many community service project awards, the company is a U.S. and internationally recognized firm licensed in Washington, Connecticut and Idaho. Click here to learn more about the company. Click here for more details and pictures about the award-winning Go Green at the Beach project.
Pictures provided courtesy of NW Property Imaging.
