PROJECT FEATURE

Madaus Residence, Hyannis, MA
Cabinetry by SieMatic

Net Zero House

Dr. Martin Madaus worked with architect Alison Alessi to design and construct the Net Zero House for his family. Simply put, the home produces as much energy as it uses. It’s a self-sufficient structure that’s not only refreshingly clean and modern in appearance, but also in function. It produces all of the energy it needs for heating, cooling, cooking, water heating and more.

When you think of Cape Cod architecture, no doubt, you have notions of low, broad framed, symmetrical homes with pitched roofs, gables and clapboard shingles. While this style of home has defined regional architecture in New England since the 17th century, Dr. Martin Madaus’s Hyannis home broke out of that mold. He worked with A + E Architects and SieMatic Boston to design a home with a footprint and overall design concept that may serve as an easily replicable model for modern energy efficiency. While the home does use local vernacular materials, its form and function is much less traditional.

Madaus worked with architect Alison Alessi to design and construct the Net Zero House for his family. Simply put, the home produces as much energy as it uses. It’s a self-sufficient structure that’s not only refreshingly clean and modern in appearance, but also in function. It produces all of the energy it needs for heating, cooling, cooking, water heating and more.

Situated a few rows back from the family’s favorite beach, where they frequently enjoy wind and kite surfing, the home features a unique upside-down layout. Four lower-level bedrooms help optimize the sweeping views from the second floor, which houses the main living areas. A contemporary SieMatic kitchen was the starting point for the home’s interior aesthetic. It’s the centerpiece of one open living area, and the first thing you see when reaching the top of the stairs. The team worked together to ensure everything in the kitchen was oriented to focus on the magnificent views while connecting seamlessly to adjacent living spaces.

Madaus felt that SieMatic’s clean look, high quality, simplicity, and good proportions were a perfect fit for his family. He worked with SieMatic Boston’s team of kitchen professionals to choose warm tones that coordinate with existing seating, dining table and pendant lighting. The kitchen features SieMatic’s S2 “handle free” cabinet design, with stainless steel recessed channel in Truffle Grey Laminate. Coordinating 8cm thick floating shelves and wide frame stainless steel lift-up glass doors house LED lighting. They reinforce the clean, linear design while offering striking storage areas. Countertops and backsplash, also manufactured by SieMatic, are one-inch thick limestone in a subtle Maljat Brown. Though streamlined, the kitchen is packed with gourmet features including a Miele hood, oven, induction cooktop and dishwasher.

Why Net Zero?
For Madaus, the idea of building a net-zero home was always a priority. “If one has the ability to dramatically reduce energy consumption when building a new house, why would one not want to do net-zero energy, he asks. “In my view, striving to reach net-zero on all homes is the way it will go in the future. There is no way that we will be able to burn gas, oil and coal the way we have. It’s simply not sustainable in the long run,” he adds. While Madaus understands that it’s not always financially feasible for every new construction, he wants his home to function as an earth-friendly example to others looking to decrease their carbon footprint.

“We’ve done energy efficient homes in the past, but this is the first that’s ever gotten to net-zero,” says Alessi. She explains that it’s not uncommon for clients to want to make the investment, but Madaus’s level of commitment is unusual and exciting.

What about the commonly held notion that these homes are too expensive to construct? Alessi says that people often get the wrong idea. “There is about a 15-percent increase in initial investment to get close to net energy zero. So while we invested in a thicker, more expensive building envelope, mechanical ventilation and renewable energy systems, we spent less on heating and cooling. When these low utility bills are factored over a 20 to 30 year life span of a home, there is tremendous savings,” she explains.

In addition to the net-zero concept, “low maintenance” was a main design goal for Madaus. “The home has no furnaces to clean or any other combustion-related appliances because everything is electric,” he points out. The solar panels only need inspection every other year, the main performance monitoring is done online, the shingles are pre-painted, the deck is PVC, and the roof is metal and should last more than 50 years. Even the yard was planted with a new high tech grass seed mixture that needs to be cut only every 4 to 5 weeks.

Madaus says the family’s favorite part of the home is the wide open airy upstairs with killer views from the kitchen. “I can see my kids windsurf on Nantucket Sound right from that room. It’s very special.”

The project, in its entirety, was made possible by a multi-professional team including:

Kitchen Designer: Alan Clark, SieMatic Boston
One Charles Street South, Boston, MA 02116
617.585.9960

Architect: Alison Alessi, LEED AP
A+E Architects, Inc.
1277 Millstone Rd. Brewster, MA 02631
www.capecoddesigner.com
508.896.0051

Press Contact: Holly Berecz, Duehr & Associates
310.991.8658
holly@duehrandassociates.com

Photographer: Dan Cutrona
DanCutrona.com

Resources:

Cabinetry: SieMatic S2 “handle free” design with stainless steel recessed channel; Color: Truffle Grey Laminate

Countertops/Backsplash: 1-in. thick Limestone; Color: Maljat Brown

Flooring: Wide plank stained Oak, locally sourced

Refrigerator: Leibherr

Hood, Oven, Induction Cooktop and Dishwasher: Miele

Currently available in over 62 countries on five continents, SieMatic is an industry leader in the high-end kitchen segment with unyielding commitment to innovative engineering and manufacturing excellence. The company philosophy of complementing a lifestyle, not just offering a product, makes it unique in the industry. From manufacturing plant to showroom floor, SieMatic’s commitment to providing its customers with “the premium lifestyle they deserve” makes the SieMatic brand name synonymous with unparalleled luxury.

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For more information, contact:

Mary Beth Duehr
Duehr and Associates, LLC
1902 Wright Place, Suite 200
Carlsbad, CA 92008-6583
Phone: 760.918.5622
Fax: 760.918.5505
marybeth@duehrandassociates.com

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