Happy Landings is a 3,100 square foot home. It's spec'd to Gimme's high-performance construction standards including R-30 insulation in walls and R-60 in the ceiling. Meticulous air-sealing permits less than one air change per hour at 50 pascals pressure. Other details include 12" energy heel roof trusses, shiplap sheathing from Menominee Tribal Enterprises for sidewalls, and locally sawn pine for floor and roof sheathing.
The home has a solar thermal system which supplies hot water for domestic and space heating use. A masonry heater supplies the remaining space heating needs. A gas-fired boiler with sidebar water heater will serve as a back-up heat source. A future 2.8 Kw photovoltaic array supplies electricity in a grid-tied system.
Extensive site work and retaining walls accommodate a walk-out basement and maximum passive solar exposure.
The masonry heater has an exterior veneer skin of American Clay Plaster laid over solid four inch block substrate. Bench top is porcelain floor tile with travertine accents around the door and bottom edge. The wood trim completes the detailing that ties the heater to trim details in the house.
Kitchen side of the masonry heater has a bake oven and bench top reading nook served by the wall-mounted light. It is a warm and toasty winter corner for a book and resting on the heated bench.
A site-built storage bench is high enough for good view out the window when reclining as well as large enough to accommodate a mattress for visiting grandchildren in this spare room.
This picture shows the daybed storage open.
The finish floor color in the lower level is achieved with an acid etched concrete process.
1,250 gallon tank for heat storage from solar hydronic collectors must be buried in initial excavation process. Risers provide access to tank for install of heat exchangers and will be flush with floor level in utility room for future access.
Tom and Beverly Rauk