Location - Chicago, IL
Architect - EHDD Architecture
Client - City of Chicago Departments of Housing and Environment; Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (developer)
General Contractor - Telion Contracting Corp.
Consultants - Klein & Hoffman (structural); Mechanical Services Associates Corp. (MEP); Renacer Westside Community Network Inc. (HERS); ArchiTech Consulting (architectural specifications)
Photographer - © Doug Snower, Doug Snower Photography

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This small, affordable case study house struck jurors as the epitome of “green” building. “It’s beautiful, simple, charming, and modest. And on top of that, you find out that it’s green,” praised one juror. A front porch and red exterior complement neighboring houses without superfluous details. An open plan on the first floor maximizes light and compensates for a small overall footprint. Upstairs, windows are thoughtfully aligned for long views across the small rooms. An elegant stairway situated halfway along the plan functions also as solar chimney. In winter, a wall of plastic water bottles creates a solar mass, and a fan pushes the warm air down through the house. In summer, hot air is vented out “the chimney” and a sedum-planted roof helps prevent heat gain. (Double winner; also received Sustainable Design Award)