From foundation to framing to insulation, this timelapse video shows the initial construction process of this super-efficient granny flat in Northeast Portland.  Join us on Thursday, Feb. 3 to learn more.

P.S.  Thanks to Hammer & Hand’s Skylar Swinford for setting up and shooting this video.  Stay tuned for more…

The post Timelapse: construction of super-efficient ADU appeared first on Hammer & Hand.

As covered in a previous blog post here, this green Accessory Dwelling Unit demonstrates that both size and performance matter.  A small footprint coupled with cutting-edge building performance equals super low energy use.  Hammer & Hand’s Skylar Swinford has been documenting the construction of the project.  Please enjoy!

– Zack

The post Construction of high-performance ADU captured by time lapse video appeared first on Hammer & Hand.

Green Science Oregon aired a 30-minute episode last weekend on KGW 24/7 featuring Hammer & Hand and its design/build collaborations with Departure Design, including our Musician’s Dwelling and High Performance ADU.

Check out the first segment below.  (NOTE: I’ve added segments 1 and 2 to our video page as well.)

-Zack

The post View Green Science Oregon TV episode featuring Hammer & Hand appeared first on Hammer & Hand.

“You can tell when you look at a craftsman how he holds his tools, how he sharpens his planes, the wear on his bags,” says Scott.  “These boots are like my nail bags.  They’re part of me, they’re worn to me.”

The video’s a nice piece.  In promoting Danner Boots it also touches on the pride and passion that Scott and his fellow craftspeople bring to the work they do every day in the field.  Well-produced and worth a look-see!

– Zack

The post Danner Boots showcases lead carpenter Scott Gunter in web video appeared first on Hammer & Hand.

Excavation was the topic of the day during our last post about the Karuna House.  Today we’re on to the project’s super-insulated foundation.

(Note: the Karuna House is a national green building case study being constructed in Yamhill County, Oregon.  Designed by Holst Architecture and built by Hammer & Hand, the house aims for Passive House, Minergie-P-ECO and LEED for Homes Platinum certification.)

A key principle of Passive House (as well as Minergie) design and construction is the concept of super-insulating the building envelope.  And that includes not only the four walls and roof, but also the foundation.  To that end, we’re using EPS geofoam at the Karuna House… we’re actually building the foundation on top of a thick layer of the stuff.  Read here for more about why that’s a good idea.

Our own Skylar Swinford, Certified Passive House Consultant and a leading building scientist at Hammer & Hand, visited the Karuna site a few days ago with his video camera to interview lead carpenter Scott Gunter and document the process of installing the geofoam foundation.  The clip also features Hammer & Hand’s Aaron Quint and Aaron Bergeson.

Grab some popcorn… the clip’s below.

– Zack

The post Karuna Passive House construction video – Hammer & Hand demonstrates geofoam foundation installation appeared first on Hammer & Hand.

Please check out our brand new video about the construction of the Karuna House, “Foundation Footings: Karuna House Video #2”, narrated by Hammer & Hand lead carpenter Scott Gunter.

(Note: the Karuna House is a national green building case study being constructed in Yamhill County, Oregon.  Designed by Holst Architecture and built by Hammer & Hand, the house aims for Passive House, Minergie-P-ECO and LEED for Homes Platinum certification. See this introductory post about the project.)

You’ll find the new video in our new gallery of Karuna House videos, included below and on our Karuna House page.  Please check back for future updates – we plan several in coming days.

– Zack

The post Karuna Passive House – new video posted to new Karuna video gallery appeared first on Hammer & Hand.

As part of Clean Energy Works Oregon’s public education effort about the benefits of and incentives for home energy remodels, the nonprofit is sharing testimonials by Portlanders who’ve recently completed the program.  And heading that list of CEWO testifiers is Hammer & Hand’s recent client Susan Walrabenstein.

Here’s a sampling of what Susan shared on Clean Energy Works Oregon’s website:

“I don’t mean to sound melodramatic, but this was a life-changing experience for me,” she said.

“My house is now fully insulated and I have central heat and air conditioning with my high energy efficient heat pump,” she said. “Instead of being in the mid to upper 50′s, I am in a comfortable 65-68. I no longer dread the cold weather coming (house-wise anyway). The house is quieter too.”

Please check out Susan’s CEWO video testimonial!:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X85PoLIJvuc

Learn more about Clean Energy Works Oregon.

– Zack

The post VIDEO: Clean Energy Works Oregon showcases H&H client in ‘Why I Love CEWO’ testimonial appeared first on Hammer & Hand.

We’re proud to announce a new video series from our Home Performance division!  The series highlights Portland homeowners telling their stories of how their homes were transformed into modern, comfortable living spaces through home energy audits and retrofits.  Real people. Real homes. Real comfort.

The first episode features Felisa Hagins, a working homeowner in the Lents community of southeast Portland.  Felisa tells the story of how our recent home energy retrofit transformed her historic 1911 home from cold, drafty quarters to a warm and cozy homestead.  Check out the video above to hear her story!

– Jeff

The post Hammer & Hand premiers home performance video series appeared first on Hammer & Hand.

We’re excited to present the second episode in our home performance video series!  Episode 2 features South Tabor homeowner Julia telling her story of how the financing through Clean Energy Works Oregon enabled her to change her cold and drafty 1940’s home into a quiet and comfortable living space.  Check out the video to hear her story!

– Jeff

The post Hammer & Hand presents new episode in home performance video series appeared first on Hammer & Hand.

When Kristin and Rich were looking to purchase a home, they fell in love with their 1895 Victorian, located in Northwest Portland. With the addition of little Micah to their family, Rich and Kristin recognized the importance of home comfort while adjusting to their new life as parents. Check out the video below to hear how Rich and Kristen’s home energy retrofit through Clean Energy Works Oregon added that comfort for their new family!

– Jeff

The post Episode 3 of Home Performance video series features Clean Energy Works Oregon clients Kristin and Rich appeared first on Hammer & Hand.