A Demonstration Home in Wisconsin Prioritizes Sustainability

Amber Westerman, a Wisconsin-based designer-turned-contractor, set out to build a healthier home that could be both affordable and replicable. The project, a 1208 sq. ft. superinsulated, all-electric, net-zero home, was built as a demonstration home to highlight how to build with more sustainable materials, how to reduce waste, and how to maximize space in a small footprint.

Completed in 2021, the home showcases sustainable design elements and healthier materials, including a high-performing concrete slab foundation, an energy-efficient ductless HVAC system, and solar panels. Westerman carefully researched each product she specified for the project, guided by her focus on reducing resource use in new home construction.

Westerman selected our products for both the home’s interior and exterior finishes. “Wherever possible, I chose nontoxic materials and finish products made in America…[ECOS] was easy to use and has proven quite durable,” Westerman mentioned in a recent Fine Homebuilding feature.

Kitchen and bathroom cabinets were finished with our Semi-Gloss Paint.

Westerman chose our Matte Paint for the home’s interior walls and ceilings.

The home’s exterior features our Exterior Low-Lustre Wall Paint on both the garage and horizontal lap siding.

Learn more about the project here. Photos by Eric Wallner, courtesy of Amber Westerman.