Pier Avenue Zero Energy Ready Home
This Zero Energy Ready home is located in a historic neighborhood with narrow lots, just a block away from Mobile Bay.
The owners asked Watershed to design a home that would allow them to downsize and simplify in their retirement, but still easily host family and friends for gatherings or long stays. The house, porch, and outbuilding gather around and tuck under a large live oak in the backyard. A master arborist consulted during design and construction to minimize root damage during construction and support the tree’s ongoing health.
The home is compact, but outdoor living spaces and a carriage house expand the usable living area across the entire property. An entry porch provides a cozy perch to enjoy a glass of wine and greet neighbors and passersby. Glass doors extending across one wall of the dining room can fold open to completely dissolve the wall between the dining area and screened porch. The screened porch provides a complete second living room with a fireplace, tv, bar, and comfortable seating overlooking a grilling patio, kitchen garden, and the live oak tree.
The ground floor of the carriage house holds a garage, kayak storage and a work bench looking out into the oaks. A sliding barn door lets the project area expand onto a small patio.
Quarters over the garage offer a flexible space that can be used for a fitness room, home office, hosting guests or game room.
Having lived in a historic home on St Charles Avenue in New Orleans, the owners appreciated craftsmanship and architectural detail, but were ready for modern levels of energy efficiency, resilience, and comfort. They hoped to spend less time in home maintenance and hurricane recovery, and more time on the water. The Fortified Commercial and Zero Energy Ready standards, verified by third-party inspections, gave them assurance those goals have been met and helped guide the contractor through the inspection and certification process.
Project type: residential new construction
Location: Fairhope, AL
Key team: Tom Bierster Fine Homebuilding, Keen Living, Falkner Landscape, LaConsay Air and Heating LLC
Certifications: Zero Energy Ready, Fortified™ Gold, Indoor AirPlus, NWF Wildlife Habitat Certification
