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The basic design of our high thermal mass (HTM™) passive solar home can be easily molded to fit your family's lifesyle. The open floorplans of our natural, sustainable, earthhome design can be boxed in later for storage, quiet areas, and sleeping spaces. Just keep in mind that as you section the home off, the need for supplemental heat and light is only going to increase. This is the basic nature of low-tech, passive solar architecture. We do our best to work with clients on all aspects of design - structural function, passive solar performance, privacy, flow, entertaining, lifestyle, family and caretaker unit considerations. Striking a balance between aesthetic desires and passive funtionality is always key with any sustainable natural housing earthhome design.
Here's a first winter image before any landscaping or exterior wall treatments. Please note how the nearly flat front roof section (1/12 pitch) catches snow for a "blanket" effect. In cold climates, snow on the roof acts a an extra layer of insulation for protection against the elements. This 1/12 pitch flat roof design has the additional effect of preventing snow from falling off the roof and onto your glass. The perimeter of the roof is the first to begin melting when it warms up, so gutters are very easy to maintain. Irrigation re-use of the snow is another design consideration: as the snow slowly melts, it can be directed to interior planterbeds where the tomatoes are still blooming like crazy.
Indoor planterbeds get direct (almost 90 degree) sun through angled glass at winter solstice. This ensures maximum heat gain and natural light when they are needed most right in the middle of a cold, dark winter. Sloped glazing may have an unconventional look about it, but it is the only way to sustainably grow crops AND heat a home. If you live in a hot climate, the need for sloped glass is likely not an issue. Cooling climates are easily served by conventional, vertical glass.
Shade cloth is being used below as an awning to block excess solar heat gain. Notice the line of shade as it extends to within a foot of the windows' bottom. Shade cloth is available in assorted colors and choice of shade protection factor to make custom designs for individual climates possible. Proper shade cloth layout is one of the keys to any workable, functionally passive sustainable design. In addition to blocking direct solar gain, shade cloth creates a micro climate around the perimeter of the home dramatically affecting the comfort level inside.
The front hallway of an HTM doubles as planterbed access, really opening these rooms up! Light and airy is redefined with an HTM. These homes have a "feel" that is totally unlike a conventional home. The combination of subtle radiant heating and cooling combines with the open floorplan to create a very livable, natural atmosphere.
Hanging plants are one option for room division and privacy; drapes, sheers, shade cloth, water filled columns, glass block walls, and moveable partitions are some other answers besides building (dry)walls to box the home in. Please note that interior doors and walls are easily added later, after you have had a chance to live in the home for a while and experience the difference that an HTM makes. Don't judge the open layout based upon living in conventional homes for your whole life. Clients are encouraged to live a floorplan for a while to get the feel of an HTM before building additional partition walls. The difference a drape "wall" or movable partition can make is dramatic - without the permanence of a wall.
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After reviewing the material, we encourage you to drop us an email with your questions. Whether concerning HTMs specifically or passive solar in general, our initial consultation will address your concerns. |
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First half hour walks you through the sustainable design, HTM passive solar earthhome featured on our website. While not a How-To video, the second half does include detailed Infiltrator chamber leach field septic system installation and Sun-Mar composting toilet footage. |
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