Norsman Residence

Location
1729 W. Potomac Map

Owner
HN Builders

Architect
Norsman Architects

The Norsman Residence is another example of a higher-budget single family home with a carefully considered green and design sense. The project is new construction on a substandard Chicago lot (23.5’ x 100’). It includes many of the features we are increasingly seeing for these semi-demonstration projects, such as a ground-source heat pump HVAC system, rooftop wind turbines (not shown in the image), highly insulated walls and windows, rainwater harvesting for irrigation, and a green roof.

New custom construction also allows the architectural design to respond to green goals - a nice change from speculative development that often results in green homes indistinguishable from the project down the street. Most windows have appropriate shading devices - the long, exposed east elevation (resulting from the corner lot) includes both movable wooden trellises and stainless steel training systems for shading from vegetation. This literal expression of green is explored further with the use of a Greenscreen system to form privacy fences.

This project is designed and owned by the same individual, Brent Norsman, who joins those architects willing to put their money where their mouth is by building their own green project. Construction is underway with occupancy expected in September 2006. Other project team members include structural engineer C.E. Anderson & Associates and HVAC contract HVAC & Geotech Systems.