High Performance Home Tour - Project Entry 12

Gemini Quadrant Aluclad Windows, Triple-Pane Glazing & a Custom Sapele Wood Entry Door

There is a specific kind of design discipline required to pursue passive home principles without letting performance goals override architectural character. Entry #12 on the High Performance Home Tour achieves exactly that balance. Designed by Arielle Schechter, AIA, and nearly complete at 90% construction by Hopper Construction, Inc., this 3,034 sq ft, three-bedroom home is a thoughtful example of what it looks like when sustainability, daylighting, and refined material selection are treated as equally important design drivers.

Passive Principles, Active Detail

The home's performance strategy is rooted in passive design thinking — generous roof overhangs for shading, a conditioned crawlspace, and sprayed foam insulation paired with continuous rigid insulation on the exterior walls (R-26) and roof (R-62). An ERV system manages energy efficiency and indoor air quality, while a heat pump water heater with on-demand delivery and rainwater harvesting with dual cisterns round out a sustainability package that is both comprehensive and carefully considered.
Generous day-lighting and access to expansive outdoor porches and terraces are not incidental features here — they are baked into the design intent. And that means fenestration carries significant responsibility in this home. The windows and doors must deliver on daylighting, thermal performance, views, and architectural expression all at once.

The Fenestration Package: Gemini Quadrant Aluclad with Triple-Pane Glazing

Eurostar supplied the Gemini Quadrant wood-aluminum clad window system for Entry #12 — the same premium aluclad platform that combines solid European pine interiors with a durable aluminum exterior cladding. The combination delivers the warmth and authenticity of real wood inside the home while the aluminum exterior stands up to long-term weather exposure with minimal maintenance demands.
All units feature triple-pane glazing, a specification that directly supports the home's passive design principles. Triple-pane glass dramatically reduces heat transfer through the glazing unit, helps maintain stable interior temperatures, and contributes to acoustic comfort — all without sacrificing the generous daylighting that the design prioritizes.

Four large 5.5 x 11 ft window units bring expansive light into the home's primary living spaces, while a 10 x 4.8 ft solid piece of glass adds a striking architectural moment that reinforces the connection between interior and exterior. Bird protection glass was specified for the large surface areas — a detail that reflects the project team's attention to responsible design that extends beyond energy metrics alone.
For the shower area, two aluminum windows with low SHGC glazing were selected — a practical specification choice that manages solar heat gain in a space where privacy and comfort matter more than view maximization. All window hardware was specified with Ala handles in BGO finish, providing a consistent and refined detail throughout the home.

A Custom Entry Door Worth Noting

The front entry door for this project is a custom, all-wood door in sapele — a rich, fine-grained hardwood that immediately distinguishes the home's entry from the moment of arrival. Sapele's natural luster and distinctive grain pattern give the door a presence that complements the home's thoughtful architectural styling without competing with it. It is the kind of detail that signals craftsmanship from the first impression.
Fenestration as a Passive Design Partner

In a home built around passive principles, the fenestration package is not simply a product selection — it is a building science decision. The Gemini Quadrant aluclad systems with triple-pane glazing work in direct support of the home's high insulation values, ERV strategy, and shading design. Together, these systems help the building maintain thermal stability, reduce mechanical load, and deliver the kind of interior comfort that passive design promises.

Entry #12 is a strong reminder that high-performance building does not require a trade-off between rigor and beauty. With the right fenestration partner, a home can pursue ambitious energy goals while still expressing a distinct architectural character — and still feel like a home worth living in.