The owners of this Capitol Hill house look beyond the big picture and find that green is in the details, too.

Written by Heather J. Paper
Photographs by Alex Hayden

In their quest for a Built Green home, Andrea Orive and Jen Mortola found a talented team: builder Jim Barger of Greenleaf Construction, architect David Vandervort and interior designer Keith Miller. Together they conceptualized and created a 1,270-square-foot residence that lives much bigger than it looks. And, apparently, they’re not alone in claiming the project a success. The Four-Star certified home, built on a city infill lot, recently won the single family–new construction category in Seattle’s Built Green Design Competition.

1. It’s common practice to use Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood in green design. But Jim Barger went the extra mile in this particular project, using structural lumber that was 90 percent salvaged. The builder used lumber from other projects as well as deconstructed (denailed) wood; “we begged, borrowed and stole” the necessary materials, he wryly admits. What’s more, there’s a Grasscrete driveway leading to the front door; because it’s pervious, grass grows right through it. Soil throughout the property was amended, too, in order to reestablish hydrology. At home right away, though, are drought-tolerant and native plantings.

2. Throughout the house, the builder used Eagle windows. It’s a high-end wood system that’s more costly than aluminum or vinyl, he explains, but there’s a much higher energy value as well as a longevity factor, too. Additionally, windows were oriented to take advantage of solar heat, upping the energy efficiency another degree. But overhangs on south-facing windows provide shading from the sun’s strong rays. Green concepts weren’t limited to building materials, either. Furnishings such as the dining table and chairs, all made of reclaimed wood, are right in step with the approach.

3. Some of the kitchen’s green elements are more obvious than others. The dishwasher and refrigerator, for instance, are clearly identified as Energy Star items, while the cabinetry, with its water-base finish, is a more subtle touch. Meanwhile, overhead, exposed beams team up with car decking—a spruce material used in lieu of standard sheet rock. This technique allows the old beams to remain exposed and “show their glory,” says Barger, preventing the extra “waste” of additional materials, like that same sheet rock, in the process.

4. Defining the kitchen area is a pair of salvaged concrete counter tops, each with a definitively scalloped edge. The surfaces not only carry through with the green theme but also adhere to a basic kitchen concept: They’re easy to clean.

5. Reclaimed elements are one of the hallmarks of the Orive/Mortola residence. The stairway, for instance, was crafted from an old set of bleachers; the railing, in turn, was created from a vintage balustrade. Plus, says Barger, “we tried to use as many recycled or salvaged finished products as possible.” He’s happy to share two of his main resources, too: Seattle’s own EarthWise (206-624-4510) and The Re Store (206-297-9119).

6. In terms of flooring, Barger utilized the home’s structure as a finished element. The concrete slab also serves as the finished floor; a simple stain was the only addition needed to give it decorative status. The home was designed to be totally utilized, says the builder; had a more conventional flooring been installed on top of the concrete, there would have been more waste, too. However, an area rug—made of natural materials, of course—softens the look in this space.

7. The concrete surround of the living-room fireplace is more than merely recycled. It has sentimental value, coming from a shipyard on Seattle’s Elliott Bay. Coupled with a reclaimed wood mantel, this focal point fires up green design. And things heat up in other ways, too. Barger implemented a water-radiant heat system, upgraded the energy package in insulation values and installed a heat recovery ventilation system, too. With an allergy filter that runs 24 hours a day, it brings fresh air in from outside while retaining the temperature of the residence.

8. Paints low in volatile organic compounds were used throughout the house, not giving up—for a minute—a sense of style. And the finishing touch? Even the trim work was recycled; pieces were ripped off framing lumber and remilled. Perhaps most impressive, though, was the onsite recycling program that was a constant throughout the project. Resource Venture (206-389-7304), a non-profit facilitator, was on site to monitor the process, free of charge. In the end, 86 percent of the construction trash was sent to recycling centers or reused in other projects.