Cheshire, CT

Ricci Construction Group won the 2016 HOBI Award (CT Home Building Industry Award) for Best Green Energy Efficient Home.

This Energy Star-rated 4,268-square-foot home incorporates advanced “green” technology, including a 12-inch thick exterior envelope consisting of staggered double 2-inch by 4-inch exterior walls filled with Dense Pack to achieve an R44 rating and attic insulation achieving R66. Under the basement’s slab, 4-inch rigid polystyrene foam was installed over crushed stone, with the slab placed on top. The exterior of the foundation is covered with 2-inch rigid insulation to the frost line. The interior of the 9-foot tall foundation walls is coated with 2-inch, closed-cell foam insulation applied to the concrete with 2-inch by 4-inch framing held 12 inches off and then filled with 10 inches of Dense Pack insulation to maintain an uninterrupted insulation envelope.

The main constraint when building this home was the soil composition, which was so sandy that the banks kept caving in, so the foundation hole had to be dug considerably larger for access and stability.

The specialty 1 ⅛-inch structural Warm Board radiant heat system runs throughout the house under the 3 ¼-inch Brazilian wood and tile floors, along with a Unico High Velocity Central Air-conditioning system. The garage features auxiliary propane heat, and the home includes a fire suppression system, whole-house audio with garage speakers, a full security system, and exterior irrigation.

This well-appointed home offers seamless flow. On the first floor, the kitchen has custom Wood Mode and Brookhaven cabinetry, Anchor Décor appliances, a walk-in pantry, and a large slab of 3 cm Grigio Panarea Marble top with a “bulletproof” coating to prevent staining. The kitchen opens to the great room with floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace with a custom mantle adjacent to the bluestone-covered patio overlooking the Gunite pool and hot tub, surrounded by a stamped concrete patio. Off the kitchen is a butler’s pantry leading to the formal dining room with custom appointments including raised panels and a tray ceiling with LED indirect ribbon lighting tucked into the double crown.

Beyond the foyer, French doors lead to a private office. The first-floor master en suite incorporates a coffered ceiling, sitting area, and Atrium door that walks out to the covered patio and pool, a large walk-in shower in the bath, and a custom built-in system in the walk-in closet. The powder room, mudroom, and laundry room are tucked around the corner near the garage for convenience.

Upstairs, a secret room tucked behind a wall of custom-built shelves features telescopic glass doors that can close off the balcony overlooking the great room when desired. This floor also features three bedrooms with two bathrooms.