The Rachel Raymond House in Belmont MA, an important 1931 architectural work by Eleanor Raymond that was declared “probably the first modern house in Massachusetts”, was demolished in 2006. For a competition to rebuild it to standards of environmental sustainability exceeding those of LEED’s platinum rating, PB+A redesigned the house in the modernist spirit of the original. The house uses net zero energy and water from offsite sources, develops the site to minimize disturbance of topsoil and to maintain trees, uses recycled building materials from local sources, and maintains a healthful indoor environment through natural ventilation and elimination of toxic off-gassing. The design configuration—orientation, seasonal sun shading, use of stairwell to achieve a stack effect enhancing natural ventilation, photovoltaic canopy shading a vegetated roof terrace—accomplishes these sustainability goals while providing an inspiring and beautiful environment for living.

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