Sikes Residence

This LEED Gold home started with a unique site: an infill lot in this historic Clifton Gaslight neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. It was walkable to a business district that still had amenities like a grocery store and movie theater, but was also adjacent to a wooded area, leafy and secluded. One reason the site had not been previously developed was steep terrain and large existing trees that were important to the community. As a result, site design was paramount.

The home is nestled into the hillside and is sited to preserve existing trees. The site has a minimal amount of conventional yard; most of the site is undisturbed, or planted with low-maintenance native and adaptive species. It is designed to manage 100% of its stormwater, mimicking the pre-development hydrology of the site.

The home was designed to be very energy efficient on a budget. Multiple wall assemblies were assessed with whole-building energy modeling and priced by the contractor. The result is an assembly with 2x6 advanced framing, continuous rigid insulation, and high air-tightness. Efficient lighting, appliances, and HVAC equipment round out the efficiency strategies.

Other important sustainable design features of the project include: water-efficient fixtures and appliances; locally-sourced materials, including the hardwood flooring; and low-emitting materials. The home is designed to accommodate a future green roof over the garage, and future solar panels on the south-facing main roof.

The home takes advantage of its natural surroundings with carefully framed views and ample daylight. A three-story deck and screened porch provide living space amongst the trees.