The GO Home represents a successful development model for zero-energy single family housing that can be delivered at a cost comparable to that of standard residential construction, even in a cold northern climate. Meeting both Passive House and LEED Platinum standards, it provides a healthy, comfortable environment for a family of five while reducing energy demand by approximately 90 percent from that of an equivalent code-compliant building. The use of small photovoltaic and solar thermal arrays results in net-zero energy consumption on an annual basis.

The building is sited at the edge of a meadow, where it is sheltered from winter winds by the property’s forested northern boundary, and oriented to maximize solar gain. By restricting construction to a small portion of the property, we minimized site disturbance. Limited impervious surface area and carefully managed surface drainage promote groundwater recharge and support a varied mix of native plantings.

The architecture borrows from the austere rural New England vernacular, with a compact form that minimizes exterior surface area and heat loss. Its superinsulated, rigorously air-sealed building shell makes use of passive solar gain and natural ventilation to further offset space heating and cooling demand, permitting a radical reduction in the cost and complexity of mechanical systems. A high efficiency heat-recovery ventilation system ensures a continuous supply of fresh air year round. The house’s open ground floor plan and three-bedroom second floor support a variety of concurrent uses, and the timber frame structure easily accommodates plan alterations as family needs evolve. 

In addition to being a proof of concept, the GO Home also served as a test-bed for an integrated design/build model of project delivery. Based on continuous feedback between field crews and architects, this approach has driven innovations in design and production that have proven sustainable, scalable, and cost-effective in OPAL’s subsequent projects.