1301 Pleasant Street was built from scratch while the 1305 Pleasant home, originally built around 1875, was salvaged and supplemented with new construction to complete the overall plan concept.  The goal for each home was to seek an intersection between green design and affordability, consistent with SEND’s goals for the Fountain Square neighborhood.  The overall size of the homes was roughly 1,500 square feet each, significantly smaller than the average size for new residential construction in the Midwest. 

We emphasized energy efficiency integrated with resource efficient material choices and an ongoing effort to maintain indoor environmental quality.  The finished homes incorporated the following features:

 (Notes apply to both houses unless noted otherwise)

• New and rehab construction in an urban setting.  No new roads required; infrastructure already exists.
• Passive solar orientation and shading.  Overhangs shade the south facing windows in summer.  The sun shines inside during the winter months for added heat.
• Small plan footprints use less material and energy in construction.
• Materials and energy are saved by rehabilitation of existing 1870 vintage home at 1305 Pleasant.
• High efficiency furnaces save energy.
• Supply and return ducts installed within home envelope at 1301 Pleasant.
• Programmable thermostats.
• Cellulose insulation:  energy efficient, minimizes air infiltration and is also resource efficient by use of recycled newspaper in the product.
• Tankless water heating saves energy over conventional water heater.
• Energy efficient lighting.
• Low-e insulated glazing for improved window energy performance.
• Low flow plumbing fixtures save water.
• No VOC paints at interior: improves indoor environmental quality.
• Bamboo flooring: rapidly renewable resource, reduces demand for wood.
• Carpet using recycled materials.
• Ceiling fans improve occupant comfort.
• Native plantings around exterior of home require less maintenance and no irrigation.
• Future owners may walk to existing amenities for entertainment and services.
• Energy modeling using Energy-10 software by SBIC.
• Interiors include salvaged and recycled furnishings.

Green Design Consulting by Ecology House:  Sam Miller; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Interiors by Jim Lingenfelter, Nikki Sutton (1305) and Kate Salzman (1301). 

Even with significant local events on the same weekend as the tour, nearly 1,000 people visited the homes.  Attention from local media including television and the Indianapolis Star extended our message further into the community.