A 4-Star Certified Built Green Home Remodel
Ballard Locks Residence
A 4-Star Certified Built Green home.
This project was a whole-house remodel requiring a reimagining of a tired, inefficient, and challenging 1980s remodel of a 1937 home. Knowing that the location was within bike commuting distance of their employment, our clients saw the potential for this home to be an energy-efficient, long-lasting, and beautiful home for them to treasure for years.
Removing the shackles of the lackluster 1980s remodel and modernizing the home to last for decades more, this house reaps the benefits of salvaging embodied energy while looking towards the future.
The program called for a layout of open living spaces focused on the breathtaking Olympic Mountain views, connected by a central hall. Ancillary spaces allowed for our clients’ hobbies of music and ham radio to have dedicated rooms. Tying this beautiful and functional home together in a thorough and integrated approach to sustainability has earned this house a Built Green 4 Star Certification.
Our approach was to pack the existing framing with insulation, and provide a seamless air barrier. A heat recovery ventilation system ensures tempered fresh air fills the home, and the formerly stifling upper floor is now comfortable, despite the western exposure. The generous roof allows for great southern exposure to fuel the home’s solar system, and the roof itself collects the runoff in rain barrels used for landscape irrigation.
The second-floor powder room saves space and resources with an all-in-one greywater system that recycles hand-washing water into the toilet tank. Like many successful remodels, this project effectively reconfigures an existing footprint to live larger, better, and more efficiently.
The modern, built-in cabinetry is integral to the architecture of the home, and the spacious floor plan is perfect for entertaining. It can be easy to overlook the incredible attention to detail that transforms this house into a home that sustainably looks to the future, while not ignoring the legacy of the past, because it was designed to work and feel so natural: one of the true hallmarks of this great project.
Materials Meet
Wood, metal, and concrete intersect at the front entrance, facilitating a dynamic and modern first impression of the home. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Materials Meet
Wood, metal, and concrete intersect at the front entrance, facilitating a dynamic and modern first impression of the home. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Balancing Warm and Cool
A bright yellow door pulls from the warm tones of wood-paneled siding, creating a rounded, cohesive design palette when paired with the cool gray of the metal siding. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Balancing Warm and Cool
A bright yellow door pulls from the warm tones of wood-paneled siding, creating a rounded, cohesive design palette when paired with the cool gray of the metal siding. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Ballard Locks Residence
Naturally-finished wood siding brings a pop of color to the deck, seamlessly linking the indoor and outdoor finish palettes. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Ballard Locks Residence
Naturally-finished wood siding brings a pop of color to the deck, seamlessly linking the indoor and outdoor finish palettes. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Picture-Perfect Views
An elevated deck off the second story overlooks an expansive, unobstructed water view, offering a romantic spot to enjoy the views. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Picture-Perfect Views
An elevated deck off the second story overlooks an expansive, unobstructed water view, offering a romantic spot to enjoy the views. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Books Galore
A built-in bookcase facing the living room reflects the built-in library within the kitchen island, acting as an aesthetic link between the common areas. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Books Galore
A built-in bookcase facing the living room reflects the built-in library within the kitchen island, acting as an aesthetic link between the common areas. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Interlock
The grey-wood grained finish carries up the wall from the hall below, peeking up past the landing to create a small division between the common areas, bringing a bit of structure to the open concept. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Interlock
The grey-wood grained finish carries up the wall from the hall below, peeking up past the landing to create a small division between the common areas, bringing a bit of structure to the open concept. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Fine Foyer
The bright, spacious foyer uses warm and cool toned natural materials to foster a sophisticated aesthetic complementing the home’s sustainability goals. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Fine Foyer
The bright, spacious foyer uses warm and cool toned natural materials to foster a sophisticated aesthetic complementing the home’s sustainability goals. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Active Second Story
The upper level unfolds into a light-filled great room featuring natural materials, and a healthy balance of warm and cool tones. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Active Second Story
The upper level unfolds into a light-filled great room featuring natural materials, and a healthy balance of warm and cool tones. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Culinary Classics
Abundant open storage built into the base of the kitchen island is perfectly tailored to the needs of a home chef with an extensive cookbook collection. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Culinary Classics
Abundant open storage built into the base of the kitchen island is perfectly tailored to the needs of a home chef with an extensive cookbook collection. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Elevated Views
Large windows and glass doors increase natural light and optimize indoor-outdoor connection. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Elevated Views
Large windows and glass doors increase natural light and optimize indoor-outdoor connection. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Step in Style
A stair of cork treads with painted risers, paired with a cable railing and step lighting combines elements of classic design with a modern flare. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Step in Style
A stair of cork treads with painted risers, paired with a cable railing and step lighting combines elements of classic design with a modern flare. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Staple Wall
A neutral wall provides the opportunity for the gallery-like display of favorite art or photos. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Staple Wall
A neutral wall provides the opportunity for the gallery-like display of favorite art or photos. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Thoughtful Moments
The lower hall presents a unique moment in the home, using a gray wood-grain finish to create depth and visual interest within the stairwell. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Thoughtful Moments
The lower hall presents a unique moment in the home, using a gray wood-grain finish to create depth and visual interest within the stairwell. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Colorful Home
The cheerful color palette of the exterior blends with the abundant foliage that lusciously envelopes the home. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Colorful Home
The cheerful color palette of the exterior blends with the abundant foliage that lusciously envelopes the home. Ballard Locks Residence | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Client Review
“After interviewing 4 architects for our major home remodel, we chose Jeff Pellitier and his firm Board & Vellum for the the job. We like his mixture of experience in larger firms, pragmatic and cost-conscious approach, and desire to create working yet artful spaces. I particularly liked his prior experience with construction management, which is critical to successful execution. […] Jeff has assembled a good team as well. We have worked with several of them during various stages of the work. […] We care a lot about building green (without going crazy) and recycling/reuse wherever possible and they are helping us do this where it makes sense. Jeff also helped us select a contractor and is keen on keeping them integrally involved in the project planning to ensure smooth construction process. […] Jeff has been very open about the process, timing and costs. Billing is very detailed and understandable. No surprises. […] Board and Vellum and Jeff Pellitier (& team!) have my highest recommendation.”
Read the full review on Houzz.
Notes & Credits
This project was built by Hammer & Hand.
Structural Engineering services by Bykonen Carter Quinn.
Photos by John G Wilbanks Photography.
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