Dragonfly Ridge
The Team
Background
Builder: Chuckanut Builders
Architect: Kriegh Architect Studios
Structural Engineer: Swenson Say Faget, INC
Civil Engineer: 2020 Engineering, INC
Landscape Architect: Anne James Landscape Architecture
Panels: BC Passive House
Location: Bow, Washington
Dragonfly Ridge is a visionary build, serving to inspire current and future Passive Home builders. The owner came to us committed to building a net-zero home that would regenerate the land it sits upon. She also sees this house becoming both a refuge for her family and a demonstration site where folks can come to see and experience different elements of a high-performance home.
Read on for more details about the team, the land, and for a time-lapse video of the house coming together.
Women in Leadership
Building Performance
Dragonfly Ridge is a showcase of women in leadership. From the owner to the architects, engineers, and contractors, the women of the leadership team are:
Architect: Julie Kriegh
Engineer: Francesca Renourard & Alyssa Dang
Landscape Architect: Anne James Landscape Architecture
Contractor: Greta Nelson, Chuckanut Builders Site Lead
Skagit County Deputy Fire Marshal: Bonnie LaCount
The entire team at Dragonfly Ridge is committed to leading the way in Passive House building, and in order to ensure others can learn from their work, have created a booklet detailing the design process, performance goals, and building process. You can download a copy for yourself from Julie Kriegh’s website or view it HERE.
The design of this home is focused on sustainable construction practices. These include Passive House strategies & approaches to reduce energy demand.
-Prefabricated, panelized construction by BC Passive, to reduce construction waste. These are triple insulated wall and roof panels.
-CASCADIA windows and doors are triple pane a
-Air sealing and thermal bridge-free construction help the high-efficiency heat pump systems and heat recovery ventilation (HRV) aiming for net zero.
-Low-carbon materials are used throughout the site, specifically focusing on the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of concrete. Type-1L concrete was used, reducing GWP by 15%.
–Cement board and batt siding is used as a highly fire-resistant siding material in addition to Shou Shugi Ban cedar siding.
The Land
The Build
Dragonfly Ridge sits on a bluff above the Skagit Valley with views of Mt. Baker and Padilla Bay. Sadly, all 20 acres had been cleared completely of trees before its sale to the current owner. While there are now grasses on the property, the soil is compacted and drains poorly. This history, as well as the potential to demonstrate the positive impact of regenerative practices, made this property appealing to its new owner, who has been committed to tackling climate change for the past two decades.