Falmouth Flyer

Location: Falmouth, Maine

Features

Solar hot water and radiant heat
Light shelves and solar shades
Air-tight construction
Extra-insulated walls and ceilings
Warmth-generating, solar porch
Heat-absorbent, radiant concrete floors
Low-water use plumbing fixtures
Local materials with high recycled content
Low VOC-emitting materials
Sustainable landscape design

Overview

LEED Standing

Gold

Project Team

Builder: Dan Kolbert, Kolbert Building & Renovation
Phil Kaplan, Kaplan Thompson Architects
Engineer: Carolyn Bird, Casco Bay Engineering
Interior Designer: Monica Dominak, Interior Resources
Landscape Architect: Tony Cowles, Carroll Associates
Lighting Designer: Greg Day, Day Matero Studio
Mechanical Contractor: Pat Coon, ReVision Energy
LEED Consultant: Jen Huggins, Fore Solution

Recently certified LEED Gold, Falmouth Flyer was inspired by the clients’ request for a sculptural form and the many shoreland birds visiting from the adjacent Audubon Society grounds. The structure rises to meet a stand of tall trees to the east, which anchor its entry point. The wrapping, continuous eave leads the eye across, down, and around the private entry side to the North, and out to Casco Bay and beyond. Subtle angles in both plan and elevation add a layer of visual vibrancy, alluding to sharp, yet fluid avian forms as well as the layering of contours working their way up to the site from the water’s edge. Corten steel and corrugated metal siding add to the durability of the exterior envelope.

Inside, light shelves bounce natural sunlight deep into the space. Their exterior counterparts protect the house from overheating. Additionally, extra insulation (R-30 walls, R-50 roof, R-20 slab) and air-tight construction have reduced the size of the mechanical system, and significantly reduced heating and cooling costs. The superior envelope eliminates the need for conventional heat delivery on the upper floor. Passive solar gain is stored in the exposed floor slab and captured in the second floor sunspace, which doubles as a screen porch in summer.

This home uses solar collectors for domestic hot water as well as to provide most of the heat for the radiant floor system. Many materials and finishes were specified for their sustainable nature, including concrete stair treads and countertops, bamboo floors and low-voc paints and adhesives. The total material waste factor for the house was less than 1% of all material used.

Interior Designer: Monica Dominak, Interior Resources
Landscape Architect: Tony Cowles, Carroll Associates
Lighting Designer: Greg Day, Day Matero Studio
Mechanical Contractor: Pat Coon, ReVision Energy
LEED Consultant: Jen Huggins, Fore Solution