Our goal was a small home as green and energy efficient as possible. We wanted to create a home that would be so well insulated and comfortable that it would need almost no fossil fuels to heat or cool it, in an climate that would get to 110+ in summer and below 30 in winters. To fulfill this, we used passive solar heating design, as well as a masonry heater which uses fallen trees from the site to provide 95% of our heating needs. And in summer, the house stays cool enough that AC is not needed at all; Energy Star ceiling fans provide most cooling with and a Night Breeze fan bringing in cool night air to cool the thermal mass at night time and release it the following day.
For full description of design goals, challenges and design solutions, and more photos, please see the write-up posted as Floor Plan 2 of this submittal.
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This weekend home in the Sierra Foothilss earned LEED Platinum for it's green design. Fire-safe construction with standing seam metal roof, 3-coat stucco, concrete window sills, aluminum clad windows, fiber-cement soffit and gable end trim. Lodgepole pines at entry were locally sourced from trees killed by pine beetles.
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The kitchen features a cast in place concrete countertop and backsplash; bamboo cabinets; an eat-in bar and raised backsplash that separates the cooktop mess from the dining area. Vibrant earth tones enliven the home.
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The high efficiency masonry heater warms the main living space and provides most of the heat for the home. Concrete floors throughout add thermal mass for natural heating and cooling. The exposed beams are at bottom of a skylight well running through the main living space which provides natural lighting and passive cooling through the operable skylights.
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The freestanding wood storage bin was build from a hog wire frame and ferro cement formed over it, inspired by and imitating the look of the surround manzanita shrubs and oak trees.
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The tunnel and steps to the below- grade wine cellar are made from locally sourced stone, and the access was designed to create a sense of mystery and anticipation as you descend. The wine cellar was designed below grade and intended to remain cool without additional mechanical cooling.
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I would like more information on your home; we are interested in building a small, efficient home in the Sonoran desert near Phoenix and your design is inspiring.