This Tudor style home was built on a rocky point of the cumberland plateau where no city water is available, and good wells are rare. The owners decided to set up a rain water catchment system for all of their domestic water needs. Drilling a well would most likely be a waste of money that could go towards the rainwater system. The owners like the tudor style, and the steep roof would provide a large surface area to collect water. The next challenge was to design a small enough house to accomodate a family of 4, without breaking the bank, as the water catchment system was a huge up front expense. 

The top priorities were to create an authentic old feeling tudor with energy efficiency and plenty of water. The owners were willing to reduce water usage, but did not want to worry about running out. We used all natural materials to get the authentic old tudor feel. Interior trim added to the feel with dark stained clear casing, including some old school trim style; peaked 5/4 headers and plinths, with facings at 4-5/8 wide. The main energy efficient feature is the flash and batt insulation. The roof was not ventilated, and 3″ of open cell foam was sprayed on the roof deck (zip system), from ridge to plate. R30 batts were then installed. The rest of the envelope got a flash coat and batt insulation. Windows facing the harsh westerly sun are low-e with a tinted coating. The rain water catchment system holds 15 thousand gallons. Gutters divert water downhill to 2 tanks, where it is filtered and pumped back to the house for use. The system includes a roof wash diverter, particulate filters, and a uv filter. The owners and their 2 children have never run out of water.