2500 sq feet, owner-built with architect Marley Porter & Living Architecture,
~$140/sq ft, 85% complete (from 1998).
Features include Galvalume roof & 10,000 gallon water cistern, post
& beam, recycled wooden floors, and low-E double-pane windows.
Patrick’s self-sufficient retreat has all of the environmental angles
covered, because he did some homework. He relied on proper site orientation
(including Feng Shui principles) to maximize shade and fresh airflow through
every room via clerestory windows. Non-toxic building materials further
define this as a “Healthy Home” and the master plan (permacultured)
allows for adding a constructed wetlands at some point, to complement the
existing septic field.
Energy-efficient appliances support the use of propane, as does battery-stored
solar power from an array of PV panels on the roof. Open-ended building
agreements aren't advised, but extensive planning works nicely.
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