A SIP – Structural Insulated Panel – is a building component sandwich. It’s an energy efficient foam core laminated between two layers of wood sheathing, faced with drywall, fiberboard, metal, and even plastic. Well-designed and manufactured SIPS will make a house more energy-efficient, stronger, tighter, and more comfortable. There are some other appealing virtues to structural insulated panels that will make you want to build with them, including:

Image: Solares Architecture via Houzz

• SIP’s are a green building product. SIP walls demand far less lumber than conventionally framed dwellings. Because the wood panels are made with wood chips, 95% of a tree can be used, as opposed to only 63% if it’s sown into solid lumber.
• SIPs outperform conventional walls in fires. According to data from extensive laboratory fire testing and reports on SIP houses from real-life incidents, they are more resistant to fires.
• SIP walls are highly efficient. Foam provides much greater insulating value per inch than fiberglass batting.
• The foam is continuous throughout the wall, without the pockets and flaws in batt installations between studs.
• Foam won’t allow air infiltration inside the panels; if installed correctly they can be completely sealed.

Since 1998, Trilogy Partners has been building the finest homes in Summit County, contact us about structural insulated panels at 970-453-2230.

We are always searching for unique ways to incorporate green design into our homes, and using reclaimed scaffolding wood for the home’s structure or in its interior design scheme is one way to accomplish this.

Image: Inhabit.com

An excellent example of a home that benefited from the use of reclaimed wood is ‘Casa Box‘, which is a spectacular modern renovation of a caretaker’s home located on a Brazilian island. From the coastline, the home is essentially a concrete cube, but its contemporary design utilizes reclaimed wood from the original structure for the doors, windows, and stairway. Architect Alan Chu of Silveira e Cristiano Arns Kato Architectos designed the home with the intention of using the recycled leftover wood from the original structure to create contrast and layers of depth to the unique and simple structure. The use of the recycled wood adds tremendous character to this already stunning home, reminding it of where it once came from.

To learn more about ways that Trilogy Partners has incorporated repurposed materials into our projects, please be sure to view our sustainable design portfolio.

There’s nothing worse than losing power in your home. The home is supposed to be the one place where you feel comfortable and safe, and losing power reduces both of those feelings. Although you can probably manage a couple of hours without power, things become really inconvenient if the power remains off for longer than a day. It’s in cases such as these where having a back-up generator comes in handy.

Back-up generators are incredibly convenient to have in your home, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind when purchasing one. First of all, not just any generator will do. You have to figure out how large the generator’s output needs to be based on your electricity usage. This can be done by adding up the wattage to all the appliances you use plus another 20 percent as a safety margin. A generator needs to be maintained as well, especially if it is permanently installed. The oil and air filter need to be changed annually, and the system should tested on a yearly basis as well. The last thing you want to do is end up with a generator that doesn’t work when you need it most!

When picking out a generator, look for additional features such as an electronic voltage regulator (to keep it from harming other electronics) and insulated housing to lower the sound of the engine.

As concern over rising energy costs and environmental destruction rises, homeowners are looking for ways to go green while enjoying cutting edge design and attractive architecture. We put a heavy emphasis on sustainable design at Trilogy, and we will be excited to explore some of these upcoming green building trends with our Colorado customers in 2013.

photo via flickr.com

Solar Panels

Design experts at Inhabitat believe that demand for home solar panel systems will only grow during 2013. Manufacturers are finding new ways to make them attractive and easy to blend in with the exterior of a home.

Healthy Building Materials

With many paints and building materials releasing dangerous volatile organic compounds, designers and manufacturers alike will continue to expand their offerings of healthy alternatives that are free from these emissions.

Storm Resistance

Massive natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy have highlighted the importance of building structures that can withstand flooding and high winds. Many homeowners are expected to look for durable, storm-proof architecture during 2013.

Pre-Industrial Inspiration

Finally, designers can expect to see a surge in demand for pre-industrial features like root cellars and kitchen gardens. Even the sleekest modern homes can be complemented by a few of these useful additions.

There is no point in serving a banquet of local sustainable foods in a room laden with non-sustainable design elements. Sustainable interior design ensures a comprehensive integration of sustainable elements in every room of the home – all of which work to complement one another.

photo via architecturaldigest.com

Architectural Digest highlighted some of the stunning tabletop designs featured at the 15th- annual “Dining by Design” fundraiser – Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids (DIFFA). The event was hosted by AD and featured multiple examples of sustainable dining room design.

One of the most notable designs, especially in terms of sustainability, was Ralph Lauren’s home installation. It is a wonderful example of the importance of design continuity. Built for a log cabin, the Lauren dining table was designed by Alfredo Paredes. It is constructed from rough-hewn timber, and resides underneath an antler chandelier, and earth-toned cushions and table coverings, which all play into the homey feel of a rustic family cabin.

Sustainable tables focus on using recycled/reused materials, minimal finish – or low-VOC pigments – and should serve as a complement to existing interior design themes. For more information on how to implement sustainable design in your dining room, contact Trilogy Builders – expert sustainable builders for over 15- years.

The holiday season tends to put everyone into a festive spirit. As much as it is known for receiving gifts, it’s also known for the act of gift giving itself. We tend to feel more generous and selfless during the holiday season as we reflect upon ourselves, our friends, our family and the year that has past. If you have an interest in Colorado architecture, then this should put you in the right mood for this article at the Architizer Blog.

The article lists and describes ten design projects that were instituted to benefit the common good. All of them are quite noteworthy; for example, number eight’s The Gates Foundations’s Inaugural Toilet Festival. As humorous as it sounds, legendary multi-billionaire Bill Gates had his thoughts firmly planted on our sustainability. He issued a multi-million dollar challenge to anyone who could create a toilet that wasn’t dependent on plumbed water, a sewer system or electricity. Someone came forward with a self-cleaning, solar powered toilet that turns urine and waste into hydrogen and fertilizer!

Check out the rest of the design projects listed at Architizer Blog that will help return your faith in our ability to do less damage to our environment, and share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Source: Architizer

As the New Year approaches, you are probably wondering what kind of design trends are going to develop throughout next year. One design trend that is sure to continue is the use of sustainable design. Both commercial and private buildings will continue to use green design elements in their construction to help limit the amount of damage they do to the environment as well as to help be as energy efficient as possible.

The value of green building has become more obvious to both homeowners and commercial building owners. In 2005, green building was worth around $10 billion. This number has grown to an estimated $85 billion over the last year and is projected to rise to around $98 to $106 billion. People understand the value of being green. Not only are they benefiting the environment, but they are becoming more energy efficient. This allows them to save on energy costs. According to the Dodge Construction Green Outlook report conducted by McGraw-Hill Construction, 44% of all of next year’s construction is expected to use sustainable design.

The use of sustainable design will continue to grow in popularity over the next year due to the associated environmental friendliness and energy savings.

Source: Construction.com, Google Images

It is nearing the end of the year, a year that we at Trilogy Partners feel was a successful year for not only us, but for our clients as well. As a reminder of that success, we want to share our favorite blogs of 2012 with you:

Photo via the LA Times

• Mad Men – The immense popularity of what was one of the most popular shows in the last few years influenced this post about a home completely inspired by the many mid-century style apartments showcased in the series.

• The Perfect Entrance – A fantastic post about creating a lasting impression the moment you set foot through the entrance of a home.

• A Sustainable Olympics– A very informing article about the London Olympics and what sustainable building practices they used in preparing for the summer games.

• iPhone Apps – There’s nothing more pleasing than fooling around with new iPhone apps, and this post details five apps that help with home design.

As the saying goes, we should learn from the past, so why not peruse through some of our best blog posts for additional luxury homes design knowledge? Be sure to share your favorite post of last year with us as well!

A fresh mountain house, featured in Architectural Digest, holds lessons for those wanting a rustic residence that is updated and individualistic. The space, by Michael S. Smith, is shown in the images below. Here’s what we like about the mountain home:

• A zone for each activity. The dining table is set in its own space, with its own access to the outdoors. Though the home has no formal dining room, it clearly indicates which activity is to be performed where. A rectangular light fixture and rectangular rug further define the dining zone and echo the shape of the dining table.

Image via Architectural Digest. Photo: Roger Davies.

• No clutter. A mountain home should be focused on the notable terrain, with clear views and copious daylight. Clutter is a distraction.

Image via Architectural Digest. Photo: Roger Davies.

• Natural materials. A mountain home can compliment its surroundings with natural materials. This lesson applies to both traditional and modern mountain homes.

Image via Architectural Digest. Photo: Roger Davies.

This isn’t the only fresh mountain house that Architectural Digest has written about. Click here to read the AD article about a Steamboat home by Trilogy Partners!

The study of architecture combines the technical know-how of engineering with the artist’s vision of form and function. Natural talent and ability can only take you so far in his demanding field; it is also necessary to study under and work with the best teachers and mentors that you can find. Fortunately, the United States is blessed with hundreds of universities that offer a top-notch education and the required training to produce some of the best architects in the world.

Milstein Hall at Cornell University. Photo via ArchDaily

Every year, the prestigious magazine, DesignIntelligence, thoroughly investigates and rates the various architecture schools in North America. With dozens of top architecture schools vying for the honor, it is a difficult task to decide on the actual winners. Still, these five schools were chosen for their fine sensibilities about and dedication to interior design:

• Savannah College of Art and Design
• Rhode Island School of Design
• Pratt Institute
• Cornell University
• Parsons The New School of Design

Each of these schools has graduated and continues to graduate some of the finest architects around. It is a singular honor to be included on this list.