House Description

This home blends the warmth of rural charm with the clean lines of modern design. One side recalls a traditional red barn, while the other presents a crisp white contemporary form, reminiscent of the classic American farmhouse. Vaulted ceilings and a wall of south-facing windows fill the Great Room with natural light, creating an inviting atmosphere. A full-width counter at one end of the Great Room provides a comfortable home office for two without sacrificing openness. With 1,517 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space, this home is ideal for compact living or a serene getaway. Set on a gentle slope, the tandem garage is tucked beneath the main floor, elevating the living area to capture beautiful countryside views.

This home, located in IECC Climate Zone 5, features a 7 kW solar array consisting of 22 panels. It operates entirely on electricity with no natural gas or propane service. During its first year of occupancy, the home used approximately 40% of the electricity it generated, leaving ample excess power available for electric vehicle charging or other uses.

This design promotes an environmentally sustainable and healthy structure and is affordable to maintain as the building ages. Some of the features are as follows:

• The house's living spaces are oriented around a southern exposure for optimum solar access and natural daylight all day long.
• The super-insulated building shell uses traditional 2x6 framing with Huber Zip System® R-12 Insulated Panels for external insulation.
• The extra insulation, combined with a smaller building size, means that the house will use less energy to heat and cool.
• Durable, low-maintenance fiber cement or exterior-grade wood and metal for the exterior finishes reduce long-term maintenance costs.
• Interior materials are specified to be low or no-VOC to provide healthy indoor air quality.
• The roofline is at a 45° angle and has sufficient space for solar panels.