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Bethesda Bungalows' Blog
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One of the interesting facets of the the NIST Net Zero home will be the ability for the researchers to test the performance of three closed-loop geothermal piping configurations; vertical, standard horizontal trench, and horizontal slinky loop piping.
Yesterday, our well drilling subcontractor, Easterday Well and Pump, began excavation for the slinky loop section. These loops will be installed in the front yard of the home, seen on the Site Plan on the south side of the home. Click the image to view a full sized PDF of the plan.
The standard horizontal trench is shown to the north of the home, while the three vertical wells will be be on the west side. NIST will be placing sensors in and around the slinky loops, to monitor earth temperatures.
Check back in a week for photos of the slinky loops installed.
If you happen to be in the Gaithersburg area, you can drive by the NIST campus and actually see the Net Zero Energy home begin to take shape. From either Clopper Road or Rt. 124 (Montgomery Village Ave), the framing is clearly visible. This is pretty exciting, as I wasn't sure the general public was going to be able to see the home, but voila!
We've been making a big push to get the framing complete so that the roof and wall sheathing can get installed. A liquid applied air barrier will follow immediately after. Building Science Corp is schedule to perform a blower door test on July 28th, to ensure that the air barrier is continuous. While I've taken part in many blower door tests, this will be the first time to see one done prior to window and door installation. Instead, we will simply seal the openings with rigid insulation, plastic sheeting and caulk. Stay tuned for the results.
The NIST Net Zero Energy Residential Test Facility, seen from Clopper Road in Gaithersburg MD.
In the posh enclave of Edgemoor, a humble bungalow might seem out of place. But, when it's a Bethesda Bungalows bungalow, and Skip Sroka provides the interior design, it fits right in. This is a custom project, built for a pair of empty nesters who are moving into town from Potomac. For years, they've longed to live within walking distance to downtown Bethesda, so now they are downsizing and simplifying their lifestyle. Now that's my kind of living! 
The complex roof line is prominently on display from the rear elevation below. 
On Karen Drive in Potomac, a custom "Prairie Mod" style home is underway, with completion slated for the end of the year. It features 3738 square feet above grade, and 5422 total heated square feet on a 17,850 sf lot.
Of the styles that we build, Prairie Mod (or Modern Prairie) is perhaps my favorite. The intersection of Modern style with Frank Lloyd Wright elements somehow just naturally appeals to my Chicago roots. It's asymetrical elevation, hipped roof, emphasis on horizontal lines and window groupings yield a visually appealing and masculine design.
On this particular home, the front porch is supported by three stone columns, with a complementary color palette for the remaining exterior surfaces. Of note, the porches will be finished in richly colored mahoganey. The low pitched roof also fits in nicely with the other homes in the neighborhood, primarily split level homes from the mid and late 60's.
We are currently working on getting the mechanical systems roughed-in, and interior air-sealing measures are complete. The windows are in, and we are ready for exterior trim and roof shingles.
Below is a shot from the back yard. The dramatic view is made possible by the topography of the land, which grades about 7 feet down from north to south. Surprisingly, county regulations would have allowed this home to be almost nine feet taller. Click here for the site plan.
Looks to be a great spot for a BBQ!
For me, one of the most satisfying parts of being involved in the building industry is seeing a finished home and then watching it mature. As each season goes by, the landscaping grows in, interiors & exteriors are personalized and the house turns into a home. I had my first taste of home building back in the late '80s when I worked three summers as a mason's tender for Don and Frank Pilson, bricklayers from Mt. Airy, MD. We built chimneys and brick facades for Pulte developments in Olney and Germantown, along with custom work all over the county. It was absolutely back-breaking work, but at the end of day, you saw the fruits of your labor. Now my role at Bethesda Bungalows (fortunately) doesn't include much manual labor, but I still get a strong sense of satisfaction when I drive by a project that I was involved in. One particular home on Burning Tree in Bethesda stands out. Set atop a majestic lot, the home is a faithful "Greene and Greene" bungalow. We completed it last year, and now that the grass is growing and the fence is up and the pool is in, it is really starting to come into it's own. Thanks go out to Pam Sarris, who provided much consultation on the interiors, and my good friend, Roger Miles, who supervised the construction. Happy Fourth of July everyone! 
Posted by: Brad Beeson in Untagged on
Jun 23, 2011
Bethesda Bungalows would like to thank Marc Fleisher, Dan Hynes and their entire team for the outstanding service they provide as our real estate agent. Their experience, guidance and professionalism has been critical to our ongoing success, and we look forward to working with them in the future. Thanks everyone!
The Washingtonian Green Awards honor people who protect our environment by finding local food treasures, by sending kids into the wild, and by building and living in ways that benefit us all. Peter Guida and the rest of the team at Bethesda Bungalows are proud to be among the distinguished recipients of this award.
Click here to see a slideshow of the reception.
An update on the NIST Net Zero Energy Residential Test Facility (NZERTF). Last week, we completed all groundworks below the slab, including the installation of the XPS insulation and hydronic tubing. On Tuesday June 14th, the basement slab was poured, and backfill against the foundation was started.
Looking forward to next week, we expect to take delivery of the first floor framing package from Foremost Industies. The uniqueness of this project dictates that the entire framing package comes to the site 100% precut and labeled, meaning the framers simply have to nail the pieces together. In theory, this approach will ensure tighter quality control and speed the framing process, while reducing construction waste.
Several people have commented on how this precut framing package is a technique that has never been used before. Not true. In fact, starting 100 years ago, Sears Roebuck sold tens of thousands of homes via mail order using this same method. Many were bungalows. Interesting how the old becomes new again.
Photos of the project can be seen on NIST's Flickr site.
Radiant heat tubing in NIST Net Zero Residential Test Facility. Credit: NIST
Bethesda Bungalows is proud to announce that 5120 Fairglen Lane, Chevy Chase MD has achieved LEED Silver certification.
Located on "Bungalow Row", this custom home's high performance features include an insulated slab, SIPs panels walls, a WaterFurnace ground-source heat pump system, and an ERV.
Many thanks go out to homeowners Susan and Peter Greif, whose passion for the green building movement made this project possible.
Serious Materials is changing their name to Serious Energy, to better reflect their complete product offerings, which include advanced building products and energy software services.
I've long been a fan of several of the other products, including QuietRock, which I've used in the soundproofing of several home theaters.
The NIST Net Zero home will be built using their SeriousWindows 725 Series with a custom glass package that includes the SeriousGlass 9 glazing. These will be the highest performing windows we've used in a home, and I for one am excited to check them out. Windows are always the weakest component of the thermal envelope, so even a small improvement in performance yields a large dividend. And hey, they're filled with Krypton!
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