The journey of building Breckenridge’s First Net Zero home by design-build firm Trilogy Partners didn’t ignore details from the inside and outside. The design needed to fit the upscale look of the homeowners in the Timber Trail neighborhood.

One of the first challenges was how to work with a beautiful and intricate architecture and meet the goal of a zero energy home.

One of our partners on the project was Andy Walker and Renee Azerbegi of Denver’s Ambient Energy, which provided an analysis of how much energy is needed to power the home’s lighting, heating, cooling and other daily living needs.

“Our greatest challenge was making a significantly-sized home energy efficient and renewably powered,” Renee says.

They determined how to reduce the life cycle energy use of the home and save more than $58,000 in energy costs over the life of the home.

They calculated how to provide 100 percent of the house’s energy use fro on-site renewable energy systems, with a combination of a large solar electric PV array and a geo exchange system for space heating.

Check back later this week for details about how the framing made the home as energy efficient as possible.

Home energy use accounts for 21 percent of the nation’s carbon footprint, which is twice the carbon emissions of passenger cars, according to a San Jose Mercury News article.

But as the movement toward sustainability in home design and construction is gaining steam, green-tech experts tell the paper they’re expecting a banner year. It notes that even President Obama has proclaimed insulation “sexy.” 

In fact, the President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board has found that there are 100 million homes in America, and energy-saving measures like insulation, caulking, and heating and cooling system upgrades can reduce household energy consumption by 10 percent to 40 percent.

We are focusing on sustainability with our Breckenridge’s first zero energy luxury home, and we hope to inspire others to consider their impact on the nations’ carbon footprint in home design as well.

To follow up on our invitation to join us at Saturday or Sunday’s free seminar about Breckenridge’s first zero energy luxury home, here’s a few more details about a zero energy home.

A Zero Energy Home produces its own energy—as much or more than it needs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

It combines state-of-the-art, energy-efficient construction and appliances with commercially available renewable energy systems.

The Department of Energy identifies four major advantages:

Improved comfort: An energy-efficient building envelope reduces temperature fluctuations

Environmental sustainability: The home saves energy and reduces pollution

Energy security: A home that produces energy protects from spikes in energy prices

Reliability: The home can be designed to continue functioning even during blackouts

We look forward to seeing you this weekend!

If you started out strong by hitting the gym during January, but are now finding you just don’t have the time to drive to a gym before or after work or to exercise during your lunch hour, the best thing may be to create a space to workout at home.

Exercise rooms can be located in all different places in your home, from basements to bedrooms, and we can discuss what type of space you may need depending on how you work out.

But consider this: Experts tell the Associated Press to put the gym in an area that will keep you active, engaged and coming back for more.

Would this set-up inspire you to workout at home?

Some home gyms have steam rooms, remote lighting and sound, tilt-mounted TVs, ballet bars, refrigerators and several types of equipment, the AP reports.

Having a home that fits with your workout routine can help you remain fit, too.

If you’re ready to build your dream home, but need to sell your existing residence first, there’s definitely a strategy required to sell a home these days.

That’s why we love the tips offered by local real estate professionals in a Mountain Living story. Here’s two of them:

“Be willing to work and willing to listen, rather than turning your nose on an interested party.” —Joshua Saslove, Joshua & Co., Aspen, Colo.

“Listen to your realtor and make improvements to your property that won’t cost you a lot of money but will make your property look its best.” —Pam Vanatta, Prudential Steamboat Realty, Steamboat Springs, Colo.

Let us know if your home sells and how we can help you as you look to your next residence!

One thing that makes us unique is our partnerships with other companies, and we wanted to shine the spotlight one of them today (and look for blogs about the others in the coming weeks).

For our design-build projects, one of the successful partnerships is with Colorado Building Company, a general contracting and construction management company specializing in custom homes and light commercial construction. It is a multiple Parade of Homes winner, and here’s a look at one of our projects with Colorado Building Company.

The Timber Frame home on Rounds Road is built around a central courtyard.

Photo courtesy of Colorado Building Company

Photo courtesy of Colorado Building Company

The layout and features, from the soaring ceilings to the media room, fit a family that enjoys entertaining.

Photo courtesy of Colorado Building Company

Photo courtesy of Colorado Building Company

Do you have visions of a romantic abode? If so, it’s possible to add in details that create a warm, romantic feel year-round, not just for Valentine’s Day.

House Beautiful reveals how a 14-year-old Austin, Texas, home (to the right) incorporates details from the floor to the ceiling. The designer tells the magazine: “The words ‘warm, inviting, and intimate’ came up in every conversation I had with these clients, which inevitably led to ‘romantic.'”

What details do you think could create romantic rooms in your home?

We can’t help this month but think about the idea of people being in love with their home.

What do you think make a home a place where it’s warm and inviting? What really makes a place the heart of a home?

For us, the team at Trilogy loves what we do and we all love of living in the Colorado Mountains. And we want you to love your home, too.

Think of us when you’re updating your status or checking in with friends or family.

Become our fan on Facebook and you’ll be able to learn the latest about our projects, our blog posts and other exciting news. And we look forward to discussing design with you while on Facebook, too.

We look forward to seeing you on Facebook!

Our award-winning home in Breckenridge  is an option if you’re looking for a unique luxury rental this year.

Here’s an idea of the stand-out features of Calceho:

• Location on the Jack Nicklaus-designed, 27-hole Breckenridge Golf Course
• Mine shaft elevator serves all three floors
• Antiqued timber frame, antique wood clad ceilings, rejuvenated old wood floors and hand forged steel accents in the living areas
• Two master suites with double showers and steam and a claw foot tub
• Recreation room with high definition TV, a full wet bar complete with fridge and dishwasher and a Wii
• Two islands, a 48′ fridge, double ovens, and warming drawers in the kitchen

Or if you want it to be yours and only yours, it’s priced for sale at $3.299 million.