Robert Lord Builders Ultimate green home debuts in St. Charles

CUSTOM RESIDENCE BY ROBERT LORD BUILDERS LOADED WITH ECO-FRIENDLY, ENERGY-SAVING FEATURES AND UPSCALE AMENITIES

The curtain is up and the spotlight is shining front and center on Robert Lord Builders' latest and proudest creation: the ultimate green home, a one-of-a-kind, eco-friendly residence in St. Charles that is designed to yield astounding energy savings as well as pamper occupants with lavish appointments and high-end features.

"In planning this home, we wanted to question everything throughout the process to ensure that what we were doing would significantly reduce the residence's carbon footprint without sacrificing on quality or comfort," said Lord of the Energy Star-certified abode, which was inspired by French Provincial architecture. "We approached its design and construction with a 'pay-it-forward' philosophy. What that means is that we incorporated the newest and greatest green systems and technologies that are intended to pay for themselves within a short time due to their efficiencies."

Lord said he closely scrutinized everything in the building of the home, "from where a product was manufactured to the distance it traveled to get here to the rule of obsolescence to how we renew or dispose of the construction waste. We wanted nothing less than the ultimate green home-one of sustainable quality and efficiency for future generations to come."

As a result of his painstaking efforts, Lord's custom creation stands as a groundbreaking and impressive example of a custom luxury home that doesn't have to be small, simple or modest to be "green" and renewably responsible. In fact, the home spans a total of approximately 15,000 square feet-yet the living spaces are resourcefully cooled, heated and insulated with components that can boast unheard-of energy savings.

"We're creating history with this one-of-a-kind home. We've thought of everything possible to provide this home's future owner not only with the lowest utility bills possible, but with environmental peace of mind," said Lord. "From the roof to the windows to the lighting to the flooring to the foundation and even extending outside to the driveway and the pool, virtually every facet of this home is green."

Green highlights in and around the residence include:

• . An underground geothermal heating and cooling system by ClimateMaster that provides a renewable fuel source to maximize energy efficiency and eliminate carbon monoxide. A series of ground source geothermal heat pumps capitalize on the earth's constant temperature (approximately 55°F) to effectively heat and cool the home using water or environmentally friendly antifreeze liquid circulated through a closed-loop pipe buried in the ground. The conditioned air is then distributed throughout the house via forced air blowers and traditional ductwork. The result? Up to 75 savings in heating and cooling costs and three times more efficiency than fossil fuels.
  
  
• . Closed-cell foam insulation-a spray-applied polyurethane foam by Honeywell that surrounds the home's building shell in a single blanket of air-tight insulation from the foundations, up the walls and across the roof. This extra-efficient insulation material offers a higher R-value (up to R-24 vs. the typical R-13 in the walls and up to R-72 vs. the usual R-38 in the ceilings) than traditional fiberglass products (typically R-13), prevents mold growth, restricts moisture transmission and increases the home's structural strength. Its use is estimated to reduce energy costs by up to 75 percent and lower wasteful air infusion by 40 percent.
  
  
• . DuPont's Tyvek low-E ThermaWrap and AtticWrap throughout the house, which achieves an energy savings up to 15 percent. The former helps keep radiant energy that accumulates in the wall sheathing from releasing to the exterior during the winter, and reflects radiant heat out of the wall via its metalized surface to cool the interior in the summer. The latter is a revolutionary breathable membrane that helps create an airtight seal to reduce air leakage and energy loss through the roof. These products shed water away from the entire building envelope.
  
  
• . Low-E, ultra-efficient windows by Hurd throughout the home. These windows have a DP (design pressure) rating of 55-up from the industry average of 40-that indicates an extremely well-built product built to withstand extremely high winds. The Hurd windows also offer an exclusive climate guard SPF of 99.9, which means that it blocks virtually 100 percent of all UV rays.
  
  
• . A hybrid septic system that uses an aerobic digester in tandem with a raised sand filter, which reduced the size of the septic field by half and helped save several trees in the process. The aerobic digester also helps decrease the time it takes for waste matter to decompose, making it an earth-friendly system.
  
  
• . A hybrid water well that uses a variable-speed pump (operating at multiple speeds of performance based on need) and a constant-pressure demand technology; the system's pressure tank is up to 75 percent smaller than the size of a traditional tank-saving space, water and energy.
  
  
• . Two self-replenishing in-home waterfalls by Napoleon (one measuring 3' x 6' in the master bathroom, the other measuring 2' x 3' in the foyer) that purify and hydrate the air, thus eliminating the need for a separate air filtration system and separate humidifiers.
  
  
• . Two whole-house, stainless steel water heaters by Polaris that are 95-plus percent efficient and connected to the geothermal system.
  
  
• . Direct-vent, high-efficiency, sealed-unit fireplaces by Napoleon, linked to forced-air ductwork, that can heat up to 3,000 square feet in the home using combustible outside air for extra efficiency; the kitchen fireplace is also a cooking source.
  
  
• . A dual-fuel hybrid kitchen range by Wolf that runs on natural gas and electricity, designed to yield substantial energy savings.
  
  
• . Hybrid electric toilets by Kohler that also function as bidets and minimize water usage unlike any product seen before.
  
  
• . Energy Star-rated appliances, ceiling fans and other products.
  
  
• . A backyard fiberglass pool and spa by Pentair measuring 44' x 16' that uses an earth-friendly sand filter; an EasyTouch computerized network; IntelliFlo variable-speed, computerized Polaris pump that works depending on the need; InteliChlor generator that produces chlorine for a saltwater pool that eliminates the use of environmentally harmful chemicals; ThermalFlo heat pump that produces all the heat for the pool and spa to condition the heated water using air and electricity, similar to the underground geothermal system (this heater is designed to reduce energy consumption by up to 75 percent compared to a gas-forced heating system); and energy efficient fiber optics for lighting.
  
  
• . Carpeting and carpet padding by Shaw made from recycled materials.
  
  
• . Low-VOC wall paints by ICI that reduce the amount of toxic emissions into the air.
  
  
• . LED lights exclusively in the kitchen, which use a fraction of the wattage of CFL bulbs and last up to 15 times longer.
  
  
• . An eco-paver driveway by BellGuard that employs permeable paver stones for efficient water drainage; this special product takes all the runoff water and recharges the earth as though the driveway doesn't exist.
  
  
• . Environmentally sensitive plumbing fixtures.
  
  
• . Millwork created from the native species of trees that had to be cleared from the site to make room for the house.

• . The trees removed from the site were recycled.
  
  
• . The Hooving recycling company reused or recycled 75 percent of the construction waste.

The home's plentiful green amenities may inspire the conscience and spare the pocketbook, but it's the residence's ample opulence, stylish details and architectural features that will sway the senses, said Lord.

"Yes, it's the ultimate green home, but it's also the ultimate dream home-as evidenced by the high level of detail and luxury found in every room," he said. "All the modern conveniences you could ever want can be found in this house. And there's plenty of volume and spaciousness throughout, yet the floorplan was fashioned to utilize every living space efficiently. We're creating architectural history here."

Among the amenities of note are:

• . Elegant octagonal twin turrets that bookend the entryway-a formal dining room resides in the right turret space, countered by a home office in the left turret.
  
  
• . Gourmet kitchen equipped with Wolf appliances, an intricately detailed mantle hood, maple cabinets topped with a warm crème glaze, granite countertops, marble flooring, and a wood-burning fireplace with a decorative pot swing.
  
  
• . 380-square-foot curved sunroom that includes a fireplace and is surrounded by tall windows that offer an expansive southern view.
  
  
  
• . Oversized family room with a 540-square-foot ceiling lined by on-site, hand-made, intricately carved wooden beams.
  
  
  
• . Home theater room showcasing a 110-inch rear projection high-definition screen, a concert hall-type stage with lavish drapery, and several lounges and bar stools.
  
  
  
• . First-floor octagonal master bedroom suite with a 16-foot trey ceiling lined with curved, detailed beams, plus a fireplace that includes a hand-carved French mantle and surround and a Travertine marble surround.
  
  
• . Master bathroom with an impressive Jacuzzi, a six-foot waterfall, and a three-step-up, 12-function control, multi-spray shower system.
  
  
• . Two walkout viewing porches, directly over the veranda, on the second level.
  
  
• . Three upstairs bedrooms, each of which lives like a master suite and includes its own bathroom and loft space for play or storage accessible by a custom ship's ladder.
  
  
  
• . Gallery room ideal for a grand piano or fine art display.
  
  
• . Self-sustained studio suite with its own private entrance.
  
  
• . Unfinished, master-planned walkout basement complete with two stone fireplaces.
  
  
• . Carport carriageway area between a two-car garage and a second foyer.
  
  
• . Rear-facing four-car garage with an extra storage area.
  
  
• . 1.7-acre wooded homesite that is exquisitely landscaped and overlooks a 15-acre lake 60 feet below.
  
  
• . Broan automatic, adjustable, humidistat exhaust fans in each bathroom that operate as needed.
  
  
• . Honeywell electric radiant heat floors.
  
  
• . James Hardie-brand sustainable, synthetic soffits, fascia, freeze boards and trim details.