contemporary in green
Nestled atop the cul-de-sac in established Berkshire Oakwood in Arlington Virginia, sits Arlington Designer Homes, Inc.’s latest green marvel, 3017 North Underwood Street. This Energy Star rated five bedroom, four and a half bath contemporary home is ready for its new owner to come in and reap the benefits of its numerous green features.
Andy Moore, general contractor owner of Arlington Designer Homes, Inc. wanted to do something a little bit different design wise- with his latest green property. His other projects have been very traditional in home design, so he decided that with architect Howard Melton’s design concept to build an efficient contemporary home with green features abound.
When you pull up to the front of this 5,200 square foot, $1,450,000 property, you will first notice its stature on the property and the luscious blue front doors which are quite reminiscent of old barn doors, a great traditional juxtaposition on this new contemporary home. These doors have the comforting feel of an old farm house meets a new era. A tilted gaze towards the roof-line will give you the next clue to the contemporary nature of this home with the placement of triangular argon filled Pella windows which splash the interior of the home with tons of natural light.
Inside the neutral color pallet draws you through the foyer and will lead you into the gallery and straight ahead: the floating staircase which as it takes you up to the third level of this home where the master suite (complete with luxury Bain Ultra tub and Watersense compatible products saving the homeowner with low flow water function) and three of the other beds along with their baths, similarly equip. Throughout the home, where you don’t find recycled carpet, lies the ¾ oak hardwoods laid in a unique mixed 2” and 3” pattern. Andy mentioned that the hardwoods were installed as pre-finished, which means that there was not any off-gas and minimal allergens released when laying them since they did not have to be sanded and sealed multiple 
times within the home- a very green feature and beautifully thought out. Perched from the upstairs catwalk you get a grand view of the great-room below which is flooded in natural light from the floor to ceiling argon filled, low-e windows. The Pella windows and doors used throughout the home “surpass Energy Star qualifications, keeping the home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer and significantly reduce energy costs.” The placement of a very contemporary mirrored feature wall above the fireplace bounces the light around the space from all angles and reminds you, even as you look up to the very traditional custom-coffered ceiling feature which reminds you that you are in a luxury home with premium finish out and attention to detail.
Back on the main level, the gourmet kitchen can take your breath away with the amazing linear footage of crisp white statutory marble with steely grey veining. From the custom cherry cabinets to the top of the line Kitchen Aide and energy star rated Jenn Aire stainless steel appliances, this kitchen can easily be the ultimate multifunction space which, while being stunningly beautiful, also “creates energy savings of 20-30% over standard homes and reduces the carbon output” with the Energy Star appliances. Designed by Stuart Kitchens, this space is open and faces out to the great room and is filled with the optimal amount of light from the surrounding windows. Off of the great room is a screened in porch, a very green use of outdoor living space great for all seasons.
Living in Northern Virginia, we all know that we do get seasons! A very important part of any green home is the use of proper insulation to provide the perfect amount of breathe-ability in a home- provide heat insulation when it is cold outside and to provide the cool retention in the warmer months. This contemporary home has been filled with soy based foam insulation with SEALECTION Agribalance in all spaces except below grade, where the home has been filled with fiberglass insulation. This non-toxic insulation “reduces heating and cooling costs by up to 40%, reduces moisture that leads to mold and mildew, prevents toxic off-gassing, and seals out dust, allergens and pollutants.” It is in the basement that you will find a fully finished potential au-pair or in-law suite as well as the “brains of the home.” In the mechanical room, the solar powered water heater and Carrier Infinity HVAC system are housed. The super-high efficiency system of this home also includes an energy recovery system where the exhaust air exchanges for fresh air from the outdoors. This home is actually breathable! 
The new homeowner of this contemporary home can breathe easy knowing that they have purchased a home from a builder who is doing their part to better the environment. Over 75% of the unused materials and construction waste were recycled. Added green features of the property at 3017 North Underwood :
• Close proximity to East Falls Church Metro Station
• Professional native landscaping
• Contemporary moldings throughout
• Energy Star Kichler lighting in contemporary finishes
• Pre-wired for home-theater
• Formal and informal dining spaces
• National Association of Builders GOLD standard
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