"We contacted Trillium to design a passive, energy efficient home that would meet the highest standards for green homes in the United States. The home also had to meet local historic district requirements, while also being an aesthetically pleasing home for a faculty family. We are very pleased with the results!" - James, Taft Facilities Manager

The Taft School wanted to build a state-of-the-art green home to support the school’s commitment to faculty housing and environmental stewardship. This is a single family two-story, three bedroom, two and a half bath home with a detached two-car garage, located in the Historic District of Watertown, CT. The home is oriented to optimize the use of passive and active solar energy and the energy usage is monitored by the residents and students in the classroom.

The Taft Faculty House received the following international, national, and state awards and certifications:

The United Nations

Third Place International Innovative Solutions Award 2016 - presented to Elizabeth DiSalvo in 

Marrakesh, Morocco at The United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP 22

The International Living Future Institute

Living Building Challenge - Three Petals

The United States Department of Energy

First Place Nationally - Housing Innovation Award 2015 Grand Winner

The United States Green Building Council 

Best Efficient House in USA 2016 

The State of Connecticut 

First in the state to achieve LEED Platinum certification under the BD+C Rating System for Homes using LEED v4

Third in the state to be certified as a Passive House by the Passive House Institute U.S.

CT Zero Energy Challenge Award

Energy Star Certified

EPA Indoor airPLUS Certified

EPA WaterSense labeled

SPECIFICATIONS: 

FOUNDATION AND INSULATION- Eight-inch solid concrete foundation wall; three-inch closed-cell insulation interior (R-19); 2x4 stud wall filled with blown cellulose (R-13); rigid foam at slab perimeter (R-20); rigid foam under slab (R-38)

WALLS -  Double walls consisting of two 2x4 walls set 3.5" apart; 2" closed-cell spray foam (R-16); 8.5" dense-pack cellulose (R-32); insulated, coated, taped sheathing (R-6); R-55 total assembly

ATTIC - 24" blown cellulose on attic floor over 9.5" engineered joists (R-100)

WINDOWS - UPVC and aluminum-clad wood framing; argon-filled; triple-glazing; low-e; U=0.09 for north facing windows; U=0.11 for all other windows; SHGC=0.61on south, east, and west facing windows for beneficial heat gain

AIR SEALING - 0.6 ACH 50

VENTILATION -  HRV; MERV 8 filters

HVAC - Air-source heat pump

HOT WATER - Heat pump hot water heater

LIGHTING - 100% LED interior and exterior lights

APPLIANCES -  ENERGY STAR-rated refrigerator, clothes washer, dishwasher, and ceiling fans, condensing dryer

WATER CONSERVATION - All EPA WaterSense rated fixtures (except kitchen faucet): motion-sensing recirculating pump

SOLAR - 13.1-kW PV