MAIN OVERVIEW JOURNAL FORUM LOYOLA CONSTRUCTION WEATHER
PROJECT OVERVIEW. Loyola has designed a home that incorporates several design features that have been harmoniously integrated that will provide a comfortable, functionally efficient and safe environment while also being environmentally friendly through green building techniques. Through a whole-home system's design approach several green building products and systems will be brought together that will maximize the used and enjoyment of the home while minimizing the impact on the environment. The overriding structural design criteria was a strength specification for the home of 120 MPH wind rating. To ensure successful design and construction, Loyola has a superlative team of Professional Engineers and handpicked subcontractors that have extensive experience and outstanding workmanship.
Architect: Sampson & Associates Structural Engineering: Williams Engineering Associates Mechanical Engineering: Pace Engineering
Components, Systems and Suppliers:
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF). Amvic ICF provides a very strong, safe, and super high-efficiency exterior wall. The ICF wall is 13 inches thick overall with two 2.5" Styrofoam panels and an 8" 7500 psi concrete steel-reinforced interior wall cavity. It provides a R-50 equivalent insulation factor with amazingly strong and impenetrable air tight outer envelope that is barrier to hurricane force winds, noise transmission, insects and free of rot and deterioration. With an exterior brick finish the overall wall thickness is 18". Because of its mass and strength the wall resistant to seismic activity and provides radiation protection.
Vinyl Impact Resistant Windows. WindowMaster windows are a hurricane resistant and highly energy efficient. They incorporate an outer low-emissivity tempered glass with an inner impact resistant laminated glass and are argon filled. These life-long no maintenance windows are made from UV protected virgin vinyl and stainless steel hardware are free of rot and insect damage.
Engineered lumber and I-joists. Boise I-joists and engineered lumber are used throughout for interior walls, floors and roofing systems. Boise engineered wood products provide easier handling, quicker construction, and lower labor costs resulting increased strength at a better price. They are environmentally friendly using half the wood fiber normally used in dimension lumber and have a Lifetime Guarantee.
Lightning Protection. Harger Lightning Protection is incorporated into the house through the use of multiple buried 10' long copper grounding rods that are tied to the steel reinforcement rods in the concrete walls as well as a roof perimeter copper cable and aerials. This design creates a Faraday Cage that directs the electrical energy from a lightning strike around the outside shell of the home and safely grounded to the earth.
Geotherml Air Conditioning & Radiant floor heating. Florida Heat Pump geothermal systems prove quiet ultra energy efficient heating and cooling with no outside fans. Radiant floor heating provides the ultimate comfort with efficient heating at the floor. Using the earth as a heat sink and a heat source provides the ultimate energy efficiency to heat and cool the home and heat the pool.
Solar Panels. Affordable Solar incorporated a fully automated, high-wind resistant, grid tied Photovoltaic system. Using twenty four 165 watt General Electric solar panels and a SunnyBoy photovoltaic inverter the system provides nearly 4000 watts of electricity during the day. This solar energy either supplements the total energy consumption of the home or is sold back to the power company which the PV supply exceeds the homes demand.
Emergency Generator. Caterpillar natural gas powered emergency generator provides electrical power for the whole house automatically and in seconds after a power outage. With ultra quiet operation and low maintenance this rugged generator provides extended power in times of natural disaster, accidents, and acts of terror maintaining home comfort and safety.
Intelligent Lighting Control. Lutron Homeworks whole house lighting control and automation system provide several energy savings and safety features. Through the use of dimmers on the lighting circuits lamps are powered to lust less than 100% power which still provide full illumination but nearly double the lamp life. By integrating the lighting with IR sensors and an integrated astronomical clock, lighting levels can automatically be controlled or be tailored to the day, time or desired scene providing the ultimate in lighting efficiency, safety, and functionality.
Shade Automation. Lutron Sivioa QED shades provide automated shade control enhancing energy efficiency as well as natural lighting and privacy control. By controlling the amount of natural light entering the home the overall energy efficiency of the home is increased. Through the use of black-out and/or translucent materials both entertainment audio/video enjoyment, illumination, and security are all enhanced.
Plumbing and Lighting fixtures and Appliances. Ferguson Enterprises is our supplier for all the plumbing supplies, lighting and plumbing fixtures as well as the appliances. They are the largest distributor of plumbing supplies and pipes, valves, and fittings and have a large portfolio of bath and kitchen fixtures and appliances. Their large and beautiful showroom in Newport News and their excellent staff make the selection process easy. With a huge inventory they are usually able to deliver the next day, all for a great price.
Construction Equipment. Virginia Equipment Rental is our supplier for the self-propelled telescopic boom lift used at several stages of construction. The lift provides two-person access to all areas of the home, safely and quickly. It is used during concrete pouring as well as trim, roofing, and exterior lighting and low voltage equipment installation.
Green and Energy Efficient Building Features
Construction
13” thick Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) construction
Brick Exterior with 1” air gap
Insulated slab on grade
Slab Radon venting system
Covered East and West facing porches
Reduced South and North facing window quantity and sizes
Spay in foam on all ceilings
Spray in foam sealed soffit
Spray in foam on all roof rafters and sheathing
Spanish tile roofing.
Engineered lumber for ceiling joists and beams
Windows/Doors
Double pane, low-E, argon filled, hurricane resistant vinyl windows
Double pane, low-E, argon filled, hurricane resistant vinyl French doors
Foam sealed window and door perimeter
Air Conditioning
Geothermal Heating and Air conditioning
Closed loop in-floor radiant heating on all floors (first stage heat)
All HVAC ductwork in conditioned spaces
High efficiency 4" pleated MERV-11 filters on all HVAC units
Energy Recovery Ventilator
De-humidifier system
Conditioned and finished attic spaces
Conditioned and finished room above garage
Tekmar whole house thermostat/humidistat system
Plumbing
Water saving automated hot water circulation loops
Insulated hot water pipes
Hot water HVAC heat recovery system
Hot water drain waste-heat recovery system
Lighting
Lutron Home Works whole house lighting system
Lutron Sivoia automatic shade system
Automated turn-on/off AI lighting system programming
High efficiency Halogen IR technology lighting
Solar Panel grid-tied system
Halo Air-Tite™ housing, insulated ceiling rated recessed lighting
Contrast Lighting Electronic Transformer low-voltage lighting
Finishes
No-VOC paints and finishes for walls, floor and cabinets
Rapid-growth bamboo flooring
Formaldehyde free floor underlayment and roof sheathing
Appliances
Energy Star refrigerator, freezer, washer, dryer, dishwasher
Energy efficient radiant element electric range
Dual mode convention microwave oven
Closed combustion natural gas fireplaces with heating fans