Apr 20 2011
Sunshine Ridge, a custom home located in Summit County and designed by Michael F. Gallagher, an architect from Colorado, has received the LEED Gold certification and obtained the Peak award from Mountain Living Magazine. In addition, Sunshine Ridge has succeeded in winning seven prizes in the 2010 Parade of Homes.
Sunshine Ridge Home in Summit County
The home, owned by an Oklahoma family, was earlier planned for the LEED Silver certification. Gallagher studied and understood the needs of the U.S. Green Building Council’s certification and incorporated the additional requirements to achieve the LEED Gold certification.
Sunshine Ridge, whose construction was completed in September 2010, has earned the distinction of becoming the first home to achieve LEED Gold certification in Summit County. To achieve mandatory recycled product usage in LEED certification, Gallagher, removed the beetle-kill pine trees located at the site, traded them for treated beetle-kill lumber and utilized the wood for all the exterior decking and cladding requirements. He also utilized the beetle-kill pine for base and casing, interior doors, shelving and railings and for performing cabinet work. Nearly 90% of the hardware used for door construction were either recycled or retrieved for reuse.
Eight solar panels were installed and 36 solar PV panels were erected to provide nearly 95% of the electric power needed for the house. The interior design services for the building were provided by Associates III, which incorporated efficient lighting and utilized organic cottons, natural wools and recycled materials for insulation inside the house. Adequate care was taken to use paints and adhesives with low level of volatile organic compounds.
Source: http://www.michaelgallagher.com/