Net Zero House Design and Construction, Ipswich, MA

Ipswich, MA New Build & Design Project by Pionarch

Project Description

This exquisite house is a brand new net-zero home. Is it currently the only net-zero house in picturesque Ipswich, Massachusetts. The house uses the newest systems and technology and it produces more energy that is needed to heat and cool the house. At the front of the property right before the front facade, an existing silo is being renovated as an accessory structure. The silo will serve as home office and will be connected to the main house with a tunnel that will run from the silo to the basement in the main residence.

Energy Efficient Project Plan

The first floor is an open concept design and offers kitchen, dining, living and powder room. You enter the house from the main staircase at the front through a foyer – the wind catcher. With the basement placed on the bottom level, it comes with a play area and a full bathroom with a large steam shower. The entire second floor is sleeping headquarters offering two large bathrooms and two balconies. The house comes equipped with very large, sun-blocking triple glazed windows imported from Poland. The windows showcase the beautiful surrounding New England landscape and neighboring blueberry bushes.

Challenges

Starting with a blank canvas and buying an open plot of land may seem like the simplest way to build your dream home. However, for this project, the Pionarch team came across large topographical obstacles when creating the foundation for this home. Situated on a large hill, the team had to level the surface without creating too much work for themselves, but just enough to create a stable plane to break ground on this home. With a large silo located in the front and wetlands in the back of the 1-acre lot, it only left a small area for us to build this house. Working with the Conservation Commission, the team established the perfect location, which was secure but also protected the ecosystems living in the existing wetlands.

With this location, the team was able to successfully design a tunnel, which runs from the silo in the front of the house, down through the basement of the main residence. Because of the large hill, it was easiest for us to design the two-car garage on the lower level of the lot, connecting to the silo. The difference in elevation, between the front of the house and the back, allows easy access to the basement in the rear of the house. Since the basement is built at ground level, instead of below grade, it helps create multiple simple access points around the foundation of the building.

Project Details

Lot Size: 1.1 acres

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3.5

Construction Team: Pionarch Construction

Amenities

Silo Office Space

Energy-Efficient Windows

2 Separate Garages

Client’s Reaction

Coming Soon

Project Awards