Winter Sun Design: Fulfilling a Dream

Nestled in a secluded meadow on 10 acres of pristine rural land on Lopez Island stands the evolving result of a 20 year dream. A sustainable homestead - resource efficient and solar heated. An earth-friendly sacred space for living in harmony with nature and for gatherings of kindred spirits.

Capped by a durable metal roof and clad with second growth #2 cedar shingles this home looks like many on the island, but it is different. The design and construction show extra thoughtfulness and conscience. The primary source for heat and electricity will be the sun.

Photo voltaic solar cells will convert sunlight into electricity and supply as much as they need. A back-up generator will be for emergencies. Solar windows totaling 165 sq. ft. will directly heat 385 gallons (3,207 lbs.) of water, 45 lbs. of phase change eutectic salts and the inhabitants. A high efficiency wood stove will be the only back-up heat source.

The shell of the house was built 2 summers ago using advanced framing techniques, OSB (oriented strandboard) wall sheathing and subfloor (with low toxic adhesive), 2x4 manufactured roof trusses, and built up insulated headers sized for each opening. Resource efficient engineered lumber was used throughout. Trus-joist wooden I-beam floor framing, Timberstrand rim joists, and Parallam support beams mean that precious fir and cedar trees could be spared. Faster growing, less valuable trees were used to produce all the large lumber in the structure. Even the foundation conserves energy intensive concrete by being 6" thick where only 1 floor is supported and 8" thick only where 2 floors are supported. This feature didn't really save any money as there was extra time required to set the forms, but the money went to a local worker instead of the concrete company.

The past 2 years have found the owners enjoying their retreat while saving and planning for the next steps. The garden and orchard were established long before the house and a cold storage cabinet was incorporated into the north wall and crawl space, for storing fruits and vegetables without refrigeration. The refrigerator will either be a super efficient Sun-Frost or a very small propane model. Plumbing, wiring and recycled cellulose insulation are on the current agenda. A composting toilet and graywater irrigation system are also planned. Even the smoke detectors will be healthier and more earth friendly. They will be photosensitive, not radioactive.

With a heated floor area of only 1,200 sq. ft. this home is modest by common standards, for 2 people, but the open floor plan and carefully placed windows make it feel spacious and light. It will be a model of self sufficiency and environmental friendliness when it is done because each step of the journey has been decided with the owners' goals and principles in mind. There is a provision built into the structure for the addition of another room in case more kindred spirits, invited out for a gathering, persuade the owners to let them stay a while and share their dream.

Home design and solar heating system by Chris Herman of Winter Sun Design in Seattle, and the owners.

Photo voltaic system design and installation by Brent Jones of Sunworks in Puyallup, WA.

Construction by Bill Moody of Moody Construction on Lopez Island, and the owners.

- Ecobuilding Times, fall 1996