Floor Plan

The final design on this house had a large granite covered work island in the kitchen instead of the peninsula pictured above. It worked much better to open up the space so there are even less obstructions between the kitchen, dining room and the living room. The wood stove is strategically located close to the center of the living area so that with a ceiling fan it is more than adequate to heat the entire house. As you might notice, the atrium is visable through large windows from the kitchen and dining room and through glass sliding doors from the living room and the master bedroom. The only stairs in the entire house are in the atrium up to the garage. The larger of the two water heaters in the garage is for the radiant floor heating system. The blower is to move fresh air into the house from outside, to re-circulate and filter air within the house.

Elevations


The thermal efficiency of the house is dependent on the house being partially buried, so a sloping lot is very advantageous. The city of Portland considers the front of the house to be the West Elevation but with a corner door, the owners consider the South Elevation to be the front. This orientation allows for the maximum passive use of solar light and heat energy. The four atrium skylights (2'x10" each) are tilted to maximize the winter sun and are propped open during the summer for ventilation throughout the house.

Cross Sections


Extensive use of TJI roof rafters (12" Pro 150's) allowed for the load factors involved with the 1600 sq.ft. eco-roof system. Manufactured roof trusses were used for the garage so the entire roof was quick and inexpensive to construct. High density, closed cell insulation was used on the outside of the concrete walls and under the floor slabs to maximize the thermal mass available to absorb and maintain heat and cool inside the house.