The Net-Zero Story Behind Cable Street
A1DesignBuild is a designer and builder of homes in Bellingham and Whatcom County, Washington. We specialize in everything from home remodels to complete high-performance home builds, and our over 70 years of providing excellent service to the community assures that your home project gets done right - each and every time. Read on to learn more.
Why Mark Wheatley wanted a High Performance Home
The projects we embark on are often driven by one single thing: our client’s vision. Yes, we’re very good at designing and building things (like high performance homes), but at the end of the day it’s the passion of the homeowner that allows us to bring innovation into the real world.
The same was true of Mark Wheatley, who from the outset said he wanted a legacy home: something intelligent, beautiful, and future-proof — a residence that would set a new standard for sustainable building in Whatcom County. He was kind enough to sit down and discuss why he wanted to take this step, and here’s what he said:
Mark: What inspired me to build a sustainable home was learning from past errors in places I've lived before, and from positive experiences I’ve had in the past. When I visited Europe, the tilt swivel triple pane windows that I saw in France and Scandinavia made me want the same thing. Many of these houses use no fossil fuels, and are extremely energy self-sufficient. So that’s something I was excited about.
I also wanted to recycle rainwater for toilet flushing and laundry, as well as utilize solar and proper insulation - and build a house that could grow as we grew. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.
What impressed me at first about A1DesignBuild, believe it or not, was their bike repair station they have in front of their office that is open to the public. That initially sparked my interest, and then I saw work that they'd done and I liked it. It was very much geared toward sustainability and efficiency. So I contacted them and asked them if they’d be interested in building a whole house that was net zero, and they said ‘yes’. I’m glad they did.
We’ve owned the lot we built on for many years, and for many years, it was just blackberries. The A1 designer who worked on this project, Maggie, was instrumental in helping me decide what I really wanted in that space. When I didn't know something, I would ask her and she would kindly show me examples and give me ideas to help me decide what would work and have the most impact. That's just invaluable in a designer, someone who can see your vision and expand on it. That was really nice. My voice was listened to and respected, so you can't ask for much more than that in a builder. Except of course good quality work and craftsmanship, which they also delivered on.
I also really loved that the company is a cooperative. All the crews are paid fairly and it’s not your usual business with a boss and stockholders and oriented strictly towards profits. They care about the community and the planet we live on more than building a business. Another plus.
I don't think we can go on living like we do burning fuels and being callous about our use of resources, which are finite. I'm a recent grandfather, so I think about the next generations that will come after us. What I want to leave for them is a legacy a lot better than we're doing now. So that's part of my motivation for building this house.
Check out some photos here:
Smarter, Healthier, More Sustainable
From its thick thermal walls to its rainwater collection system, the Cable Street Project stands as a benchmark of high-performance and sustainable design. Every component was chosen with purpose — to last for generations, promote healthy living, and minimize environmental impact.
The structure itself is built for endurance and energy retention. The reclaimed wood-chip and cement block walls are 13 inches thick, heavily insulated, and reinforced with rebar and concrete. This high thermal mass means the home naturally regulates temperature — holding warmth in winter and staying cool in summer — significantly cutting energy demand.
A smart mechanical core runs through the vaulted ceilings that houses plumbing, wiring, and HVAC systems within a central soffit. This thoughtful design allows for easy access and future upgrades, ensuring the home can adapt as technology evolves.
On the roof, dual systems capture rainwater and sunlight. Rainwater is collected into cisterns for reuse in toilets, laundry, and irrigation, while solar panels generate more electricity than the home consumes over a year — making it truly net-positive.
Finally, the home’s finishes are as thoughtful as its structure. Triple-pane windows set deep into clay-plastered wells bring a timeless, handcrafted character while naturally filtering and cleaning indoor air. Inside, materials like lime plaster, cork, linoleum, and PaperStone create a breathable, non-toxic environment that feels as good as it performs.
The Cable Street Project isn’t just efficient — it’s a living example of what’s possible when beauty, performance, and sustainability come together under one roof.
Watch the film below, which goes into great detail about our process.
🌿 Learn More About Building Your Net-Zero Home
If you’re dreaming of a Passive House, net-zero home, or custom sustainable build in Whatcom County, we’d love to help.
👉 Contact A1DesignBuild to start your design consultation and discover what a smarter, healthier, more sustainable home could look like. Let's work together to build healthier homes for everyone.
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