by Julia Hockman | photos by HAUS | Architecture for Modern Lifestyles
NEAR NET-ZERO DESIGN WITHOUT COMPROMISE
It’s the small, custom elements that can be the most challenging and rewarding parts of any project. That was certainly the case for Holly Creek Overlook, a 3,000-squarefoot residential home in Indianapolis. The house is nearly net-zero, constructed with low-maintenance materials featuring an intentional layout to capture picturesque views of nearby wooded landscapes.
Achieving near net-zero energy in Indianapolis’ climate required a systematic approach. Flat roof construction allowed HAUS | Architecture for Modern Lifestyles to position photovoltaic solar panels at a low incline, hidden behind parapet walls to minimize visual impact from the street.
Battery storage collects solar energy during the day to power the home. At the same time, high-efficiency heat pumps handle all heating and cooling. The result is a net17 home, 83% below standard energy use. The remaining power comes from the grid, largely due to tree cover on the western edge of the property that blocks solar collection in the late afternoon.
HAUS handled the architecture and interior design of the property from start to finish, working with their sister company, WERK | Building Modern, to construct the single-family home.
Installing the brick that projects over expansive glass walls required structural steel reinforcement, which wrapped around approximately 30% of the facade.
“I just remember our structural engineers said ‘this is why your projects are more difficult to build than most projects,” says Christopher Short, Principal Architect at HAUS.
The brick, chosen by the client, is a dark gray ironspot. Ironspot brick offers the high tolerance and precise corners suited to modern design, but it needs structural steel support to span the large glass openings that frame views through the trees. Steel columns anchor the corners and intermediate points, including behind the fireplace, while steel lintels wrap the facade to carry the brick over glass and composite wood siding.
Some windows are recessed a full foot into the brick, creating a thicker-looking exterior. “It’s another unique detail that you don’t see very often on residential projects,” says Short.
The near net-zero design and brickwork work aren’t the only impressive elements. The interior materials extend the home’s intentional sustainability and durability. At the client’s request, HAUS used a traditional terrazzo flooring in the entry hall, kitchen, and dining areas.
This terrazzo was mixed, set, and finished in-place, making the material completely customizable down to the color, resin, and aggregate. Short says the choice is “very flexible, timeless, and durable,” resulting in flooring that “should last nearly forever.”
Perhaps the most ambitious detail is the interior giant atrium window over the kitchen that uses commercial glazing to curve from vertical wall to horizontal roof plane. The installation required careful coordination of airflow and heating systems beneath the glass. The payoff is exceptional natural light and an unobstructed view.
Holly Creek Overlook demonstrates what’s possible when craftsmanship meets sustainability. By integrating efficient energy systems, structural innovation and enduring materials, HAUS created a home where technical complexity meets intricate design. The result is a timeless modern home built to last, even when it means choosing the harder path.
