Two 50 something sisters found the Black Mountains of North Carolina. Together with our families we built the Celo Cabin.
Our priorities were the view, generous gathering spaces inside and out, materials and details that tell the local story, energy efficiency and of course budget. From every room vou can see the panorama of Seven Mile Ridge in the distance and the steeple of Upper Brown’s Creek church in the valley. This “view” priority lead to a compact building design on three levels. The program required accommodation for 7 people, with a main level master suite. In order to limit square footage (and cost) on the lower level, the kitchen on the main level was designed as a “lean-to” on posts. There was balancing effort to get a meaningful loft over the master bedroom without making the great room to tall. The narrow plan follows the contours of the slope. The small foot print reduces cost and minimizes site disruption.
In the spirit of doing it yourself to help the budget, we made clearing the site a family event. Rhododendron branches and new growth Locust were stock-piled for future deck railing and Poplars saved for firewood.
The cabin was intended to be a place to get together with family and friends. It was important in planning that kitchen has engagement with the great room. The cook wanted to see out, see the fire and the arrival area. The overlap of the kitchen zone, loft zone and transparent stair and railing make the great room feel larger. We placed the outdoor room, the partially roofed porch, along the slope contours as well so as not to obstruct the heaven to valley view from the great room, with decking and railings.
We felt that insulation would be the least expensive but most effective way to create energy efficiency. The lower level is constructed of Nudura Insulated Concrete Forms with a minimum R-22 value with a peel and stick waterproof membrane. The second floor is 2×6 wall construction with a 1′ expandable foam flash and conventional batt insulation. The small amount of spray foam provides excellent seal against air infiltration and heat loss.
In the ceiling/roof we used full foam insulation. We could justify the extra cost because we could carve out more loft space, used 2×8 rafters instead of 2×12 and required no overhang enclosure or venting. This suited our simple rustic exterior as well.
The building faces South – South-East so the large great room window and dormer lift brings light and warmth deep into the building in winter. In summer the dormer lift overhang shades the great room by 9:30am. Operable windows line up through the stair well from lower level valley side to loft landing hillside. This greatly enhances cross ventilation. Lastly, the location of all mechanical ducting within the conditoned floor space is an economical energy savings.
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