The sustainably built Allen Residence is completed in Fayetteville, Arkansas

adjacent the Washington-Willow historic district

(July 29, 2011) Myria and AJ speak of their new sustainably build home as a “work of

art” and have enjoyed embracing their new lifestyle of green urban living, especially

when their recent electric bill was $50 in the middle of a unprecedented summer heat

wave. Categorized as “sustainable modern” by owners A.J. and Myria Allen, this twobedroom

1,358 square foot residence has a wing-like form created by the shed roofs of

the home and workshop that are separated by an exterior breezeway.

When planning the project with their architects, the Allens asked for a contemporary

design that was energy efficient and built with environmentally friendly methods and

materials. Myria, who teaches Environmental Communication at U of A, wanted the

experience to contribute to her class content and to her own understanding of

sustainable building. A.J., who works for the City of Fayetteville Parks and Recreation

Department, contributed some of his own craftsmanship by making the custom sliding

“barn door” at the library. The design and building objectives fostered a team approach

among the owner, architect and builder.

The south facing façade has a ribbon clerestory with continuously joined upper windows

and a three-foot roof overhang that allows the low angle of winter light to enter while

blocking the high angle of summer light. The exterior palette of painted fiber cement

panels and metal siding provide low maintenance, durability and the potential for re-use.

The project earned the highest possible Energy Star 5+ certification for energy

efficiency. Additionally, abundant built-ins help the Allens to downsize from a large

suburban home to one with a compact and efficient plan made possible by an “urban

infill” design on a narrow lot. Other features include geothermal heat pump with radiant

concrete floors, SIP roof panels, a generous screen porch to block the west sun and a

welcoming covered front east porch. The cathedral ceilings, with exposed laminated

beams and Arkansas pine decking extend throughout the exterior porches to blur the

line between inside and outside. Instead of lawn grass, the front yard has a curving

pattern of native plants and an organic garden in back. The shed roofs allow for easy

rainwater collection for irrigation.

When the Allens purchased their narrow lot, they may not have realized that the land

has a perfect orientation for passive solar design. A slender form allows for natural light

to permeate throughout and for those inside to see the sky above. “Imagine July in a

new home where you can watch the full moon pass overhead through clerestory

windows, feel as if you are living in a work of art, wander along a garden path among

native Arkansas plants, and then open your cooling bill to see you own $50. This is our

experience,” says Myria.

The home was completed April 2010 and designed by architects Lisa Knemeyer Skiles

and Albert B. Skiles of Skiles Architect, PA. The general contractor was Steve Powell of

Hickory Creek Builders. Energy Star consultation and certification was by Gary

Kahanak of Home Energy Consultants, Inc.