Greening the Old: A Showcase Victorian Goes for LEED

What do you get when you cross 19th century architecture with forward-thinking 21st century empty nesters?  A retro-fitted LEED certified house, that’s what.  In fact, the Anti residence in Squirrel Hill is among the first residences in Pennsylvania to take a crack at the residential standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, or LEED for Homes certification.

Given the fact that buildings account for 48% of energy use in the U.S., LEED certification is one way to motivate more sustainable energy models.  A nationwide green leader, Pennsylvania ranks second for the number of LEED certified buildings in a state-by-state comparison.  And, while commercial buildings have sought LEED certification since around 2000, LEED for Homes is a newer category, with Pittsburgh’s own Antis as vanguards.

Perched atop the stately Negley Hill, Alvise and Janet Anti’s 10,000 square-foot, Victorian dark brick home hardly fits the stereotype of the downsizing empty nesters. Nor is it the typical magazine photo of environmentally-friendly architecture in a far flung sunny clime.  Yet, the Antis, having raised their sons Charles, 22, and Sebastian, 24 in this generous home and feeling good about their Squirrel Hill roots, weren’t ready to leave.  Rather than opt for a condo or otherwise economized middle-aged quarters, the Antis found another approach to the next chapter of their life: by creating the next chapter of the house’s life.  Rather than purchase a new home at the same cost as their current home's value, the Antis spent the money on rehabilitation, from the guts out - a process often referred to as a gut-rehab. They declined to disclose the budget for the project which will be finished in May if all goes well.

How to Begin?
They began by selecting Kingsland Scott Bauer Associates, one of the first architectural firms to receive LEED certification for the design of their own offices in Lawrenceville.

Next, picture: ripping out every asbestos-based plaster wall and spray-foam insulating cracks and crevices of an un-insulated, complex home built in two parts (1893 and 1925).  Next, piece together the walls of various constructions, none of which are plumb in their antiquated fabrication.  Then design a water drainage system with another firm of landscape architects (LaQuatra Bonci), to collect and redistribute water throughout the yard as onsite storm water control, rather than contribute to Pittsburgh’s bourgeoning sewer problems.  

Now, attach the garage, and carefully match the brick, roofline and trim while you’re at it, green-style.  Don’t forget to reuse 95% of materials like wood framing, or the complete refurbishment of the doors.  Continue on with the installation of low-flush toilets, Energy Star lighting and appliances, and please use low-VOC adhesives and paints.  Maybe throw in some solar landscape lighting.

And, what about the sheer guts of the place? Imagine a state-of-the-art, completely energy-efficient Buderus heating system designed to heat both water and the house, itself, through radiant floor and forced air zoned heating. Aerated faucets allow for instant-hot water at all taps.

Now, envision the eye of a third party, closely examining and certifying the quality of the LEED gut-rehab, demarcating various air leaks and requesting further insulation around the all-new energy efficient windows and doorjambs.  In this case, MaGrann Associates is the required third party, and a knowledgeable partner, between the KSBA design team and the USGBC, aiding sign-off towards LEED certification and helping to develop energy modeling and green material resources such as flooring made from renewable and recycled content.  

Finally, consider all of the phone calls, research, conversations, and deliberations involved in greening an old home in an industry that’s mostly invested in conventional new construction.  “Anyone who makes that commitment is to be applauded because they are pioneering a new way," says Grant Scott, lead architect.

Indeed, green building is a rapidly changing industry of new product development and a constant education of contractors, homeowners, and architects, as the systems in place to support green building are still developing. This can require many hours of researching different fixtures, for example, to ensure that they meet the intended look, energy efficiency, and cost.

Decisions, Decisions
Given the fixed budget and the host of unknowns in tearing up their old house, the Antis came to the table with able architects Grant Scott, Liana Zimmerman and contractor Greg Campbell on more than one occasion to determine where the project’s intents were meeting the reality of costs.  Each time, the couple chose green alternatives instead of decorative features, demonstrating their deep commitment to the environment and the future life of themselves and their home.  For example, the new HVAC unit will have an immediate impact of improved indoor air quality, though that isn’t exactly very sexy looking.

One thing’s for sure – after two years in the making, the Antis will breathe easier when they sell the house they moved into during renovation and return, ready to meet the next phase of their life together.

So, why the LEED effort?  Why not just another remodeling job?  “Our deepest commitment is to the 21st century future owners of this home.  The impetus for a LEED project was our desire to make a 19th century house in to a 21st century house, and green is essential to the 21st century,” shares Janet Edwards Anti, who is known for hosting soirees with biodegradable silverware. Liana Zimmerman concurs: “They have made a commitment to Pittsburgh, to their neighborhood, to this home and to all its future owners.”

And “green” is an essential element of Pittsburgh’s reinvention, beyond post-industrialism and in spite of the recession.  The City of Champions, aka Sixsburgh, known for the grit and brawn of its industrious people and world-class sports, has fully emerged as a green leader.  Take the almost-complete Three PNC Place, or the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, the largest green convention center and the first of its kind in the world.  And now count the Anti’s home, putting Pittsburgh on the map as among the first of its kind as a gut-rehab LEED certified home.  Hopefully, the Antis will LEED, and the rest will follow.

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Captions: Janet Edwards Anti and Alvise Anti; the house on Negley; new boiler and water system; the Antis with Campbell; staining windows.

Photographs copyright Brian Cohen