F9
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SUSTAINABILITY | INSIDE & OUTSIDE THE FIRM

​F9 Productions is committed to reducing our carbon footprint inside and outside of the firm. With today's technology, drawing on paper is a wasteful necessity of the past. As a young, tech-savvy firm F9 productions use modern software and solutions to communicate our designs and construction process. 

INSIDE THE FIRM

F9 Productions promotes sustainability not just in its designs, but among its internal resources, employees and culture.

PRINTING |

Is it absolutely necessary? F9 prides itself on being able to convey its designs and ideas to clients through digital media without printing them. 

BIM |

Model like it is built. As one of the 9 foundations of F9, modeling buildings like they are built gives us accurate takeoffs for materials needed to construct the project. 

COMMUTE |

Carpooling and remote working. F9 promotes carpooling among employees that live near each other. Also, being completely digital allows employees to work from home to cut down on commutes as well. 

REVISE |

Physical redlines are a thing of the past. With today's technology there is no need to print off drawings to mark them up like in the past. This can all be done on a computer or tablet and sent to anyone, anytime, anywhere. 

OUTSIDE THE FIRM

As a design-build firm, F9 Production promotes sustainability through its designs, specified materials and commitment to reduced distance to job sites.

METHODS |

Reduce Waste. While designing, F9 is conscious of optimal construction methods that will reduce on site construction waste and material consumption. For instance, if you design a foundation or wood framed wall length to 2' increments, then there will be less waste of OSB or Plywood sheathing because these products are purchased in 2' increments. 

MATERIALS |

Green and local materials are good materials. When specifying materials, F9 takes into account the materials reusability in the future and overall distance traveled through its lifecycle. F9 also takes part in the 1 Tree Planted program by planting as many trees as it takes to build the structure.

EQUIPMENT |

Passive, renewable, efficient and long lasting. Energy efficiency is not just about mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment, but design. F9 promotes passive energy systems in its designs. Passive designs add little to no cost to the project, but increase energy efficiency immensely. Outside of passive design, F9 and its consultants are always looking to new technologies and products that will increase the efficiency of a building, or even put power back into the grid. 

COMMUTE |

30 Minute Radius. F14 Productions, our sister construction, aims to do local work within a 30 minute radius to cut down on commute times, and to give our clients our full attention. 

SUSTAINABLE LEADERS

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LEED CERTIFICATION

.ark Pedler - LEED AP BD+C

​Inside the firm, Mark reviews F9s designs for optimal energy efficiency.

​Outside the firm, Mark works with owners and energy consultants to design energy efficient buildings compliant with LEED standards.
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SUSTAINABILITY CHAIR

Rebekah Warner

Inside the firm, Rebekah is continually examining the firms internal resources to ensure that F9 keeps its material waste to a minimum and recycles as much as possible.

Outside the firm, she works personally to be sustainable in every way possible and aspires to create zero waste through recycling, composting and seeking lucky finds in her favorite thrift stores. Rebekah loves living in the city and spending time in Denver, but her favorite thing to do is connect with the environment through hiking, camping, snowboarding and cycling.

SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS

EAST WATCH

STATS:

Colorado
2,116 S.F.
Year Completed: 2019
3 Bedroom 
2 Bath
When Ed and Leigh and set out to build the home, the contacted our firm for an interview and during that interview they had three goals in mind:  

  • A home that was efficient
  • A home that would endure
  • A home that would function

Functionality
​

Ed and Leigh have always believed that form must follow function. In a well thought out system, there must be a reason for everything. Things without reason should be removed. This belief set the tone for the home. The floor-to-ceiling windows and brick wall passively heat the home. The island kitchen separates cooking from baking and guests from hosts. Long roof overhangs protect the house from snow and block the high summer sun.
Elegance is the intersection of function, beauty and simplicity. The structure's simple geometric shapes respect the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. As does the muted palette of the interior. The building should frame the expansive view, not compete with it. ​
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Endurance 

For Ed's family, building a custom home was a once in my lifetime opportunity. With many decades ahead of us, the house needs to accommodate their changing needs as we age. This meant no stairs, ADA compliant doors and hallways. Additionally, blocking was placed within the walls for handrails if needed.
Beyond mobility concerns, the structure itself needs to last well into the future. The house’s location in the Rocky Mountain high county creates additional structural demands. To resist the strain of 100mph winds and yards of snow, a steel post and beam system support the roof. To mitigate the ever present wild fire danger, the exterior material palette is steel, masonry and glass. With Class A fire rated TPO roofing and Ipe decking.
Efficiency
​
When Ed and Leigh set out to design and build a solar augmented house, it was a choice to build differently, to build smarter. A structure that passively offsets heating costs while maximizing the use of a beautiful mountain view. Efficiency is a Win-win, better for the home owner and better for the environment.
Passive solar heat gain accounts for 75% of their home heating needs. At 8,200ft of elevation in climate Zone 5, the high temperature hovers around freezing through the winter. Even in these cold winter conditions, the hydronic in-floor heating is used less then 6 hours each night. The heat engine of the home is a southeasterly window wall paired with masonry thermal masses. The exposed concrete slab floor and internal brick wall provide 90 tonnes of thermal mass. During the summer, the sloped high ceilings carry hot air up and out of the house via awning windows.

KLUG BARN

STATS:

Boulder, Colorado
2,658 S.F.
Year Completed: 2020
1 Bedroom 
1 Bath

Net Zero
When Michael and Michelle set out to build their barndominium (a barn with an attached dwelling unit), they contacted our firm to design the barn with 2 main goals in mind:

  • Simple
  • Efficient
  • Natural Views

Functionality = Efficiency

Michael and Michelle's design beliefs echoed what our firm preaches; simple, yet profound. The mass of the barndominium is extremely simple; a rectilinear shape with 2 large overhanging shed roofs. However, its design is profound. The rectangular shape is very economic on the amount of material used to physically construct the barn. Likewise, its elongated east/west orientation on site is optimal for natural daylighting, energy production, heating and cooling. Windows up high along each side of the barndominium creates a naturally well lit interior throughout the entire day, reducing the need for interior artificial lighting. The southward sloping shed roof over the barndominium creates an optimal surface for solar panels to power all the electricity needed for the barn. Similarly, the large overhangs on the roof provide shade for the interior during the summer, while allowing direct sunlight into the building during the winter months, drastically reducing the buildings heating and cooling demands. Lastly, and in a recent test, the new structure will operate a a net-zero energy efficiency rate!
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Tell Us About Your Project!

We would love to hear about your project and share some insights that might help you. Feel free to reach us by filling out the form below. 
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BOOK A CALL
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let us know the phone number you would like to call, and we will reach out to you at your chosen time. ​
Serving Colorado, Idaho, and North Dakota
  825 Crisman Drive, Unit 100 Longmont Co 80501
  • Home
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    • Foundations
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