Tah Mah Lah
2021 All-Electric Leader
Honorable Mention
Overview
Tahmahlah is an exciting summary of what building green can aspire to be, covering every dimension of sustainable design — energy, materials, water, waste, and habitat. The home is designed to zero net energy (ZNE) standards and, with addition of electric cars, is operating at near net zero. It has a super-efficient enclosure and 100% all-electric services: HVAC, domestic water heating, cooking, and clothes drying, fueled by both solar and geothermal sources of energy.
The home is fossil-fuel free and is exemplary for how residential buildings can help protect Bay Area air quality. Beyond net zero energy, the goal is for the family to have a net zero carbon footprint including transportation. Even the homeowners’ cars are electric. A major goal of this project is to inspire others to build green by debunking three myths: that green homes can’t be beautiful, that green buildings are twice as expensive, and that raising a family in a green home requires a drastic change of lifestyle.
Special Features
- 27 kW solar photovoltaic system
- Heat pump water heater
- Geothermal ground source heat pump
- Radiant heating
- Induction cooktop
- Daylighting and shading
- Conscious siting of the home for maximum solar exposure
- 100% recycling of all gray and black water + 35,000 gallon cistern (as a major consumer of energy, conserving and recycling water also reduces energy requirements)
Project Team
HKS/Hill Glazier Architects
Integral Group
MGM Construction
Evolution Construction
BAMO
Ann Edminster
Bruce King
Peter Rumsey
Tom Klope
Patrick Kobernus