white(out) house

In December 2015, Galaxy Homes completed construction of the white(out)house, a custom single family residence certified GOLD by the Arlington Green Home Choice program. Homeowner Brian J. Donnelly AIA, an architect and LEED Accredited Professional, designed white(out)house as a demonstration project in response to the growing demand for urban dwellings that are functional, responsible and meaningful, supporting the vitality and diversity of modern life. Green features include a high-performing thermal envelope composed of factory-made structural insulated panels (SIPs), geothermal heating and cooling, Energy Star appliances, LED lighting throughout, and a plethora of strategically placed windows providing natural light and ventilation while minimizing solar gain.

The white(out)house is notable not only for its energy performance and beauty, but also for its intent to orchestrate a more efficient and sustainable residential building process. The use of manufactured SIPs, for example, reduced on-site waste in building materials. Floors were finished in sustainable bamboo. Portions of the interior and exterior walls were built from site-cast concrete. At only 900 sf, the house’s small footprint ensured that old growth trees on the property could be preserved, and were protected through selective root pruning and limb pruning by a certified arborist, as well as installation of ASLA specified protective barriers.