
Eco-savvy garage
Creative building techniques and recycled materials give this structure a sustainable edge

A desire to have minimal impact on the environment inspired thedesign of this handsome garage in western Washington. “We justcouldn’t see ourselves adding to the impervious surface area of ourcommunity,” says homeowner Susan Sproull, who wanted to create ashelter for her vintage roadster as well as a workshop for customwoodworking projects. Susan, along with husband Jim, is involved inan environmentally focused nonprofit neighborhood organization; in2003, the Sproulls’ yard was certified as a Washington Departmentof Fish and Wildlife Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary.
Architect Rob Harrison positioned the 20- by 40-foot shed-roofstructure outside the dripline of a mature Douglas fir tree. Heplanted the roof with drought-tolerant sedums and wildflowers.Translucent polycarbonate panels cover the garage’s upper wallsections, wrapping the structure like a clerestory window andallowing natural light to brighten the space (which cuts down onenergy use).
The green roof is heavier than a standard roof, but because ofits thinness ― only 4 inches of soil ― Harrison wasable to compensate for the extra weight by using roof rafters oflaminated veneer lumber (LVL), which is stronger than wood. Toconserve energy, Harrison installed an infrared radiant heatingsystem, which warms people and objects rather than air. Forinsulation, he used blown-in cellulose (recycled newspaper).