Four Square
Over the years, Tim of Tim Abrahamson Construction, has studied the best practices in insulating, air sealing, and ventilating houses and has worked with architects, HVAC contractors and insulators who specialize in building super energy efficient houses. One such person that Tim spoke especially highly of was Lucas of Lucas Alm Design Studios, an architect and our consultant on this project. When we decided to retrofit an old house for 21st Century energy efficiency, I turned to my friends Tim and Lucas for advice, since both are steeped long and deep in ways of retrofitting old houses to perform to modern “green” expectations. They said get a four square– a squarish house with a pyramid roof. These simple boxy houses are easiest to air seal and insulate.
This four square at 3636 Lyndale was the second house we looked at in the late summer of 2011, but it took until July 2012 for me to buy it. Luckily we had a very patient Real Estate Agent, Helen Hughes with Caldwell Banker Burnet. In addition to shape, we also chose the house based on our budget and the fact that the house had issues: the extensive work involved in retrofitting meant we could trash the house knowing we would be remodeling. Oh, did I mention the house has a ghost? I’m not convinced, but Anita and some of the others working there swear she is real. Next up, the retrofit strategy.