Welcome to InSite, a home for local living. We believe that a sustainable home is connected
to its place. When a home draws from local energy, architecture and resources it creates
a lifestyle that keeps the community in site. Our home, InSite, is built for a family earning
$70,000 a year living in Middlebury, VT. It provides all the comforts of a modern home
while integrating into a traditional community. Large windows in the bedrooms bring in ample
natural light to brighten the rooms and welcome the day. Our bedrooms are a cozy and functional
retreat. Our expansive living space opens to the south.
It houses the kitchen, dining area and living room. InSite features local and durable materials
such as Vermont maple flooring and steel crafted by a Middlebury artisan. Each material was
chosen to limit environmental impact. Our 954 square foot home was carefully designed
with storage in mind. All mechanical systems are built around a centralized mechanical
module. By locating our energy efficient appliances and systems close together we conserve energy
and improve the performance of our systems. InSite utilizes the local climate with a passive
cooling system. An automated damper low on the north wall draws fresh air in while dampers
placed high on the mechanical module release hot air, naturally ventilating the home with
a chimney effect. Responding to varying Vermont temperatures,
InSite’s 14-inch thick walls use recycled cellulose insulation to reduce the need for
heating and cooling, reducing our energy load. Adding to the natural landscape, InSite will
feature a green roof that insulates our home, sequesters carbon, and manages storm water
runoff. InSite’s public space is most prominent, while
the private space is set back from the street. The mechanical module rises at the center. High efficiency triple paned windows use the
southern walls as an overhang to shade the interiors from the summer sun. Our solar path features a 6.2-kilowatt photovoltaic
array. The simple open framed structure was designed to reflect InSite and respond to
its site in Middlebury, but can also be integrated into any community, enlivening sidewalks,
school campuses and public parks. The family can track their energy production
and use with a building management system that also controls the homes passive and active
systems. Sustainability is about more than renewable
energy, it is about learning from the natural, social and built environment in order to connect
with the local community. When we live local we reduce consumption, and increase connections,
powering our communities for a brighter future.