Olivers Family Home  Drive-by

    3319 Federal Ave.

    Everett, WA 98201

Owner: Doris and Clair Olivers 

Telephone: 425-252-4302

Architect: George Ostrow of Velocipede Architects in Seattle

206-529-9356  www.velocipede.net

SYSTEMS

X Passive solar design greenhouse with water storage for solar gain

X Energy efficient windows/daylighting throughout

X Rainwater catchment with swales in N. and S. side yards

X Water use reduction/conservation with low-maintenance stone S. side yard and sustainably landscaped N. side yard

MATERIALS

X Engineered wood materials and use of hardiplank, Choice decking, and engineered bamboo flooring

X partial Sustainable lumber -  beams of free of heart center wood (FOHC), FSC deck railings

X Low-toxic materials in use low-VOC paints, caulks, Insulfoam, EPDM membrane instead of torch down roofing, formaldehyde-free insulation, concrete sealant

X Recycled materials used in art glass cullet under foundation, Type C coal fly ash replaced 40% of concrete, tiles in bathroom, reused door and lights

X Construction waste reduction through job site recycling. No soil was moved off-site.

OTHER

X High efficiency appliances: furnace, refrigerator, and 2 on-demand, tankless water heaters

    X Non-toxic pest control; (all organic)

Year project was completed: 2005

Descriptive paragraph:

Our project is a passive solar retrofit to a home built in 1910, with the addition of many features to increase energy efficiency. In 1956, the house was remodeled extensively to appear “contemporary” with large expanses of glass on the 1st and 2nd floors.  We added low-e, locally manufactured thermal glass and upgraded the insulation extensively. The kitchen and family room was remodeled by former owners in 1990, and we added new bamboo flooring.  The kitchen and sub-standard bathroom were built out 7’ over a deck, so all of the plumbing was exposed.  In fall of 2004, we began our “green project” that added a 600 sq.ft. bedroom, and upgraded bathroom with on-demand electric hot water, and passive solar greenhouse for extending vegetable growth into the winter. The greenhouse has 4 water barrels to store heat and performs admirably throughout the year.  The basement level has a one-car garage and workshop with some solar gain. All materials were chosen for recycled, renewable, and low-toxic content.  Additionally, we added another on-demand gas hot water heater for the rest of the house, a high efficiency gas furnace, and an efficient refrigerator. 

The yard on the N. side is landscaped with low-maintenance trees and shrubs with a run-off swale.  The S. side will soon have an enclosed low-maintenance stone garden.   Kitchen waste is composted by worms (vermiculture).

Directions to Site:  From I-5, go west on Pacific to Providence Hospital.  Turn L on Nassau, R on 33rd, and L on Federal.  The address is 3319 Federal.

Snohomish Solar Tour - Washington Solar Tour - Solar Washington Home