My Energy-efficient, Healthy, Modern Home Being Built in Hilliard, Ohio

Howdy! If you live in or around Old Hilliard there’s a good chance you’ve been past my new job site on Wayne Street. You probably even slowed down after seeing two bearded guys in kilts.

I have designed an energy-efficient, healthy, functional, modern home for my family and I, and am now in the process of building it. It has been my dream for a few years now, ever since I really started digging into building science. 

I brought in Shepherd Excavating for my sewer and water tap, but I will be doing all other work on my own. My brother helps me most days, and my dad and friends also stop in frequently to lend me a hand. I feel so fortunate to get to do something I love with people I love in a community that I love.

What are the Primary Goals of My Unique House?

This is not your typical residential build. Everything is designed with purpose. 

My House is Energy-efficient

I care about the environment, and let’s be honest… who doesn’t like cheap bills? My house will not use much energy at all. The main way I am achieving this efficiency is through a very tight building envelope. Most people insulate their houses on the inside between their studs. I actually have my insulation outside of my walls. Rather than using cellulose or fiberglass insulation, I am using multiple layers of foam. I also have a continuous water and air control layer that goes around my entire house – including the roof and foundation. This helps with air tightness. If you’re into the nerdy science of how this all works, definitely follow along on my blog. There will be lots of posts around the details of this.

I often get asked if we are implementing solar panels. While it’s not part of the initial build, due to up-front cost and logistics, I hope to eventually get panels on the roof! 

My House is Healthy

This kind of health has nothing to do with the foods we are consuming inside of the home. (I happen to love pizza, wings and beer.) Instead, it has everything to do with air quality. Many people would be disgusted to know what kind of mold is growing behind their fancy tile showers, and the mycotoxins their kids are breathing as they sleep every night. 

My water and air control layer prevents moisture from getting into the house. I also have years of remodeling experience, and know what not to do when flashing windows and installing tubs/showers. The only dust and bugs getting into the house will be whatever my son and I drag in with us after a long day of work and play.

My House is Built to Last

I am using some unconventional building techniques to build a durable house that will last generations. My exterior walls are solid wood – not sticks and drywall. My walls are also protected with a fully adhered membrane and a blanket of foam. The tongue and groove walls are treated as a piece of furniture and not exposed to the weather.

My House is Functional

This house is meant to be lived in and enjoyed. Each part of the house serves a specific purpose. If we didn’t need it, it wasn’t included. We don’t have a basement. We don’t have a formal dining room. We don’t have a grand entrance. We don’t have large bedrooms. 

We focused on the areas that mean a lot to us as a family. We have a nice open concept on the first floor. We have room for a large table to gather family and friends. We do have some “extras” – like a third-floor balcony and designated storage space for kids stuff. But we know that it will be utilized well by our family and friends for years to come.

My House is Going to Look Awesome

My wife started her career as a graphic designer, so she definitely has an eye for style. She loves the ultra-modern look, and is excited to have a functional, but beautiful, space to share with friends and family. She’s also very budget-conscious. If you like home design – especially DIY and deal-finding – follow along on the blog. She will be posting lots of pictures and design tips as we get toward the end of the build.

What is this House Going to Look Like?

Here’s a rough rendering of the outside of the house. Our lot is long and skinny, so our house is, too!

Some details about the inside:

• The house is 2,400 square feet
• First floor contains:
  • Open concept kitchen and living room
  • 24 foot ceiling in the living room with 16 foot windows
  • Small half bath
  • Safe room (for tornados), which also functions as a mud room area
• Second floor contains:
  • 4 bedrooms (one is the master)
  • 1 master bath, and 1 full bath for the kids
  • Laundry room (no hauling clothes up and down the stairs)
  • Small storage area (remember… no basement)
  • Stairs to a balcony (the balcony is technically 2.5 stories up)

We plan to have an open house when the construction is completed. (ETA: this summer. Obviously, all pending the state of COVID-19.) We’d love for the community to come check it out! 

Why Did We Choose to Build in Hilliard?

I grew up in Fort Loramie, Ohio (about an hour and a half from here), and my wife, Jaclyn, grew up in Plain City (about 15 minutes from here). So when we got married, we compromised and moved to Hilliard…

Our first home that we bought together was in the Avery Addition neighborhood, within walking distance to town. We loved it so much, we bought a second home in the neighborhood that was an even closer walk to Old Hilliard. Now it seems like every year, this town gets better and better. The outdoor concerts, festivals, the splash pad and how about the new Center Street Market? 

When we saw an empty lot for sale in Old Hilliard in December of 2019, we knew it was perfect for us. (You can literally smell the fish frying at Old Bag of Nails from our front door, and see Crooked Can Brewery from our driveway.)

Not only do we love what the town has to offer, but we have met such awesome people here. Our old neighbors became some of our best friends, and our new neighbors seem pretty awesome, too! The City of Hilliard employees (where we got our permits) were super excited for us and easy to work with – even despite the craziness of COVID-19.  The guys from Norwich Township Fire Department drop in every once in a while to see how the build is going, which is always fun. We have also gotten to know the bartenders at Old Bag of Nails. This is our town, and these are our people! We are excited to build our life and raise our family here. 

About Me and My Family

So what business does this wild-haired, crazy-bearded, kilt-wearing guy have designing and building a house? (Valid question. I understand.) I have a bachelor’s degree in architecture from BGSU, but could never stand sitting at a desk. After college, I started working for one of the top design-build remodeling firms in Columbus. We were fixing issues in a lot of really expensive, new homes, and I just knew there was a better way to build. 

In early 2019, I decided to start my own remodeling business. That’s also when I became really interested in building science. I started listening to Matt Reisinger and Joe Lsteibrick podcasts almost daily. I was fascinated by their theories on quality, efficient building. That’s when I knew I wanted to build my own home.

My wife tends to get nervous when I tell people that our house is somewhat of an experiment. It’s certainly a well-research experiment, but this is my first time building a home. My building technique is extremely unique, so there aren’t a lot of local contractors or architects to consult with. I know I’m not going to get everything perfect. That said, I’m confident in the design, and know I will continue to learn and improve every day.

What Does My Wife Have to Say About All of This?

My wife, Jaclyn, is my biggest supporter. She knows how important this is to me, and her job has allowed me to follow my dream of starting my business and building our house. I would be lying if I said we haven’t had a few disagreements about the house, but that’s love (and home building), right? 

I Do It for My Kids

My focus on the environment and the air quality of my home is because I want what’s best for my kids. I have an ornery son, Rocko, and another son on the way. I can’t wait to get hammers in their hands!

What Can You Expect if You Follow My Blog?

If you follow my blog, you can expect to:

• See pictures of the construction process, and understand why I make certain design choices and material selections
• Learn more about lots of nerdy building science stuff – especially energy-efficiency and air quality
• Get a peek into the design of the home (you’ll see some guest posts from my wife)

The easiest way to stay in the loop is to sign up for my email newsletter at the bottom of this website. (You can unsubscribe at any time if I get too boring.) 

Stop On By

If you’re local here in the Hilliard community, stop in and say hey! I would love to meet you and show you around. Most days, it’s just me and my brother, Brett, working on the house. Hope to see you soon!