YY House

YY House is a LEED Platinum certified single-detached family home sitting in the middle of a buzzling industrial city in Cebu. It is the first home in the Philippines and in the South East Asian region to be certified under the LEED for Homes V4.1 rating system. The owner and designer intend to inspire fellow designers, builders, and home buyers to aim for sustainability, health, comfort, and low total cost of ownership in creating homes of the future.

• Energy & Atmosphere: Attaining a remarkable HERS Rating of -173 was the result of the synergy of a tightly sealed and well-insulated envelope together with on-site renewable energy generation via a 42.9kW solar array. Autoclaved aerated concrete blocks and NFRC certified windows were utilized to achieve the outstanding energy efficiencies. Other energy-saving strategies include Energy Star washer-dryer, a Heat Pump Boiler, a Variable Refrigerant Flow HVAC system with individual room thermostats and occupancy sensors, high-efficiency lighting (0.37W/sqft) with smart lighting regulators, and Energy Star rated exterior doors.

• Indoor Environmental Quality: As the owner’s design brief called for an exceptional air quality for family members with asthma and environmental allergies, the designer incorporated an all-weather walk-off mat, a shoe removal area and MERV 13 filters for the HVAC. Toilets and living areas were fitted with Ecocarat tiles that regulates humidity and absorbs harmful airborne matter.

• Sustainable Sites: Located within an area averaging sixty inches of rainfall per year, run-off rainwater are diverted to an on-site cistern that goes through a 4-stage purifying process converting ample potable water that enables the house to be independent from the local water utility. DarkSky Certified lights were mounted on the outdoor spaces to avoid light pollution and keep the harmony with nocturnal habitats.

• Water Efficiency: WaterSense labeled lavatory faucets, shower heads, and fixtures were installed. Additional points were awarded for installing a smart-irrigation system that is capable of detecting atmospheric moisture and regulating the amount of water to be discharged.

• Materials & Resources: The project earned exemplary performance points by using FSC Certified Wood for its floor covering, exterior siding, stairs cladding, and also using metal framing for interior walls, ceiling and roof framing.

YY House is made a reality by a determined owner, a dedicated team of local professionals led by FMK3 Architects, and bespoke design contractor RN Vios: all learning from the novel experience of creating a LEED Home.