Model Makeover

A 1960s rambler transforms into a showcase of green building

For single mother Nancy Barnes, the remodeling of her home on a quiet cul de sac in southern Prince George's County was driven by the need to accommodate her 12-year-old son, a paraplegic since birth.

"The house initially suited our needs," Nancy says about the three-bedroom 1960s rambler, which she bought to be close to her elderly parents and her job with the Postal Service. "But as my son grew older, I needed to address [his] long-term care needs, and it became apparent we were outgrowing the space."

The house measured 1,500 square feet; the rooms and hallways were cramped; and the interior spaces weren't wheelchair-accessible. Nancy began looking at other houses about eight years ago, but most still would need extensive work to meet her family's requirements. Her son has respiratory problems, too, she adds, so any new home or remodeling plan would have to address indoor air quality. While searching, Nancy began to educate herself about universal design and healthy homes by reading magazines and watching Home & Garden Television.

Once she chose to stay put and remodel -- a decision made easier by the views of farmland to the rear of the house -- Nancy steeled herself for the challenge. However, she didn't foresee the five years it would take to find a builder who could incorporate many of the universal design and green elements on her wish list. She interviewed at least four companies. "One arrived and took measurements and never came back," she says. "Another produced drawings, but then I had difficulty obtaining copies. This was definitely the most challenging and frustrating aspect of the entire process."

Nancy's attorney suggested she contact Alex Dean, CEO and president of the Alexander Group, a Kensington-based design-construction company that has specialized in building energy-efficient homes for more than 30 years. "I was intrigued by the possibilities this project presented for our group," says Dean. He and his staff have earned several green certifications, including the Green Certified Professional designation from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

The Alexander Group began evaluating Nancy's home for the remodel in 2007. That work coincided with the pending launch of the Leader in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes program by the U.S. Green Building Council, a nonprofit that advocates sustainable building practices, says Dean, who attended the first LEED technical workshop in 2008. The LEED for Homes program is a green certification system that ensures that homes are designed and built to be healthy and energy and resource efficient. The organization began a pilot program in 2005 and officially launched LEED for Homes in February 2008.

"We saw this project as a great opportunity to register and build one of the first LEED homes in the D.C. area," Dean says. But for Nancy, it meant she would have a house that not only would accommodate her son, but also provide extra space for visiting family and rooms that might eventually house her parents.

After reviewing several design proposals, she settled on a Mediterranean-influenced architectural style that uses traditional exterior stucco, finished with a high-performance acrylic coating and sturdy concrete roof tiles in a classic terra cotta shade. It's a dramatic transformation, but part of the original house still exists beneath the skin of the new 4,000-square-foot dwelling. The builder kept two first-floor walls and the basement exterior walls so that the home would qualify as a remodeling project under county regulations. It was also cost- and resource-efficient to recycle some of the existing dwelling, Dean says. "Everything else was removed, including all electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems."

Nancy rented an apartment nearby during the 12 months of construction so that she could oversee the extensive remodel. "Although construction went pretty smoothly, there were a few surprises," she recalls. "We discovered a stream under the house during foundation excavation and had to add three sump pumps. I also did research on hooking up to county gas lines but had to scrap that idea due to cost." Instead, an underground propane tank provides fuel for heating, hot water and cooking, as well as for a backup generator.

"In addition to providing essentials, the house is designed to act as an assisted-living care home," Dean says. "In the event of a power failure, heating, cooling and cooking functions can be maintained."

Universal design elements include three-foot-wide doors and four-foot-wide hallways. There are no thresholds to impede movement between rooms, and an elevator provides easy access to each of the three levels for Nancy's son.

While the house presents a striking new facade to the street, Nancy wanted to make sure the views of open space to the rear, the lot's best feature, were preserved. The main living spaces on the first floor -- a large open kitchen and an airy great room -- are oriented toward the pastoral landscape. Her son's bedroom on the main level also overlooks the bucolic scene.

"I feel very fortunate that I was able to build a home that provides everything I need for my son and I was able to stay in my neighborhood," Nancy says. "It was definitely worth the wait."

Tracy Mitchell Griggs is a freelance writer who lives on Maryland's Eastern Shore. She can be reached at tracymgriggs@gmail.com.