The Challenge. How do you bring into harmony the competing design requirements of performance, affordability, sustainability and creativity? This was the challenge for Schlueb Architecture while designing Villa Vuoto. Built on the premise of circular architecture, the 2,600 square-foot home, located in a Pennsylvanian suburb, consists of spherical windows, circular rooms, spiral staircases, sloping walls and custom doors. The Architect (who is also the homeowner) chose Icynene^® to satisfy both aesthetic and functional requirements, explaining, “Icynene was a natural fit to the unusual shapes and recesses requiring insulation.“

The Results. Despite the unique design, the Icynene installation was completed in five days with 4.5 inches in 2x6 wood-framed exterior walls and 5 inches in 2x10 wood-framed exterior ceilings. Located in a cold climate and surrounded by trees, moisture trapped behind the exterior finish within the wall cavity of Villa Vuoto could have led to mold growth. But, Matthew Schlueb (homeowner and Architect) explains “Icynene solved this problem by minimizing air infiltration and subsequently the condensation of warm, moist air.” Aside from improving indoor air quality, Icynene's air-sealing properties increased energy efficiency and dampened airborne sounds that originated from within and outside the home, creating a comfortable indoor environment. In both application and performance, Mr. Schlueb claims “no other insulation on the market would have installed or performed as well as Icynene, enabling our firm to continue pushing the envelope of design and construction by utilizing a product that resolves our sustainable challenges along the way.” To learn more about the schematic design and influences on Villa Vuoto, visit http://www.schluebarchitecture.com/innovate.html .

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