By Frank O'Brien
Home Makeover Magazine April 09 issue
Kerr Construction Ltd. of Vancouver captured a 2008 gold Georgie Award for the best kitchen under $100, 000-and the national SAM Award for the Canadian Home Builders’ Association as the best kitchen in Canada-for this renovation in Vancouver’s Southlands. But it is the emphasis on the environment that may truly set it apart.
The 1970s-era rancher was transformed into a 21st century contemporary statement in green, from solar-heated hot water to bamboo floors and energy-saving appliances.
All the water used in the kitchen was heated via twin roof-mounted solar panels, which are estimated to cut the cost of hot water heating by at a least 30 per cent.
Then Kerr worked out how to reduce the amount of water used, opting for a compact drawer-style dishwasher that runs smaller loads. The company also installed a built-in water filtration system and ionizer to improve the quality of the drinking water.
Environmental measures extend to the recycling of interior doors and trim, the use of low-E and triple-glazed windows and extra insulation in the walls and ceiling. The large counters are engineered quartz, which is recognized as having a lower carbon footprint than granite. Bamboo floors, considered more environmentally friendly than hardwood, were installed, as were new Energy Star appliances, most hidden behind the custom-made, vertical-grain, solid mahogany cabinets.
www.absoluteroof.ca
www.kerrconstruction.ca
