Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This event is presented in partnership by Princeton Public Library, Princeton Environmental Commission and Sustainable Princeton. Three videos featuring sustainable homes on Princeton’s 2024 Green House Tour will be screened, followed by a panel discussion with the homeowners and several experts in green building. To view the videos visit, youtube.com/watch?v=qiDoc1Gl5fs&list=PLbBBBTNaH2XrZw2k9bMsZcpl3nqJB79FM.
Learn how your neighbors are creating healthier and more energy-efficient homes and environments with green building practices such as solar panels with energy storage, rain gardens, superior insulation, radiant heating and cooling, additional dwelling units (ADUs), and more!
About the homes:
LEEDin’ on Linden
Built to and awarded LEED-Platinum status (highest-level), this 2013 home was one of the first residences in NJ to achieve that level and was designed by local architect Kirsten Thoft for her family. The primary environmental characteristics of the home are a
39-panel near-optimally sited solar array
Ground-source heat-pump (& loop) commonly referred to as 'geothermal'
High insulation and thoughtful site-design
The result of the design is that the house generates 90-95% of all energy used for heating, cooling & plug-load. Despite being a very advanced green building, it sits contextually within the neighborhood fabric and many might not know that it was new construction.
Bloomin’ on Birch
A recently built modern home that meets the most stringent environmental standards:
Geothermal heating and cooling driven by solar panels, heat-pump water heater, two-layer insulation (cellulose and soy-foam) providing 2x the insulation requirements, Swiss-made FSC-certified tropical hardwood triple-pane windows/doors with custom glazings for solar heat gain/loss on different exposures.
Minimal utilities...sun-powered A/C!
All wood is FSC-certified: cedar siding, solid wood lumber and plywood construction, cumaru sills and deck, hard maple trim, beech flooring, etc.
All coatings are water-based low-VOC.
Custom FSC-certified maple cabinetry.
Every fixture is LED.
Extra measures installed for drainage onsite, elevation + piping & extensive underground dry-well.
Custom steel-work by local sculptor/welder for front-trellis and stairs.
Separate, fully-outfitted apartment perfect for family/rentals.
In-wall large gauge wiring for audiophiles.
Elevated terrace deck with gas, water, electric, and audio.
Open floor plan with well-designed spaces, lofts in all bedrooms, nooks, and storage.
Not a cubic-foot wasted. A responsibly-sized, super-livable green home, lovingly and locally created by architect-couple (Burton & D'Avila) and Pinneo Construction.
SustainAbeLeigh Historic
A whole-house renovation in the Witherspoon-Jackson district. The design employs optimal, sustainable building techniques while remaining sympathetic to the neighborhood’s Historic District designation.
Gas utility disconnect
Air-Source heat pump HVAC systems
Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) system
Induction cook-top
Heat pump hot water heater with ‘home-run’ style hot water supply
Old building product re-purpose (floors and siding).
High insulation values throughout thermal envelope
High usage of native wood species for interior details and decking.
A rain garden and solar array are included in the next phase but will not be completed by the 2024 tour date.
This event is presented in partnership by Princeton Public Library, Princeton Environmental Commission and Sustainable Princeton. Three videos featuring sustainable homes on Princeton’s 2024 Green House Tour will be screened, followed by a panel discussion with the homeowners and several experts in green building. To view the videos visit, youtube.com/watch?v=qiDoc1Gl5fs&list=PLbBBBTNaH2XrZw2k9bMsZcpl3nqJB79FM.
Learn how your neighbors are creating healthier and more energy-efficient homes and environments with green building practices such as solar panels with energy storage, rain gardens, superior insulation, radiant heating and cooling, additional dwelling units (ADUs), and more!
About the homes:
LEEDin’ on Linden
Built to and awarded LEED-Platinum status (highest-level), this 2013 home was one of the first residences in NJ to achieve that level and was designed by local architect Kirsten Thoft for her family. The primary environmental characteristics of the home are a
39-panel near-optimally sited solar array
Ground-source heat-pump (& loop) commonly referred to as 'geothermal'
High insulation and thoughtful site-design
The result of the design is that the house generates 90-95% of all energy used for heating, cooling & plug-load. Despite being a very advanced green building, it sits contextually within the neighborhood fabric and many might not know that it was new construction.
Bloomin’ on Birch
A recently built modern home that meets the most stringent environmental standards:
Geothermal heating and cooling driven by solar panels, heat-pump water heater, two-layer insulation (cellulose and soy-foam) providing 2x the insulation requirements, Swiss-made FSC-certified tropical hardwood triple-pane windows/doors with custom glazings for solar heat gain/loss on different exposures.
Minimal utilities...sun-powered A/C!
All wood is FSC-certified: cedar siding, solid wood lumber and plywood construction, cumaru sills and deck, hard maple trim, beech flooring, etc.
All coatings are water-based low-VOC.
Custom FSC-certified maple cabinetry.
Every fixture is LED.
Extra measures installed for drainage onsite, elevation + piping & extensive underground dry-well.
Custom steel-work by local sculptor/welder for front-trellis and stairs.
Separate, fully-outfitted apartment perfect for family/rentals.
In-wall large gauge wiring for audiophiles.
Elevated terrace deck with gas, water, electric, and audio.
Open floor plan with well-designed spaces, lofts in all bedrooms, nooks, and storage.
Not a cubic-foot wasted. A responsibly-sized, super-livable green home, lovingly and locally created by architect-couple (Burton & D'Avila) and Pinneo Construction.
SustainAbeLeigh Historic
A whole-house renovation in the Witherspoon-Jackson district. The design employs optimal, sustainable building techniques while remaining sympathetic to the neighborhood’s Historic District designation.
Gas utility disconnect
Air-Source heat pump HVAC systems
Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) system
Induction cook-top
Heat pump hot water heater with ‘home-run’ style hot water supply
Old building product re-purpose (floors and siding).
High insulation values throughout thermal envelope
High usage of native wood species for interior details and decking.
A rain garden and solar array are included in the next phase but will not be completed by the 2024 tour date.
