Solar Village Golden Home

Built on a unique site with a long ranching history this home acknowledges its roots in its very construction. The exterior walls of the house are made of straw bales, covered in plaster made of earth taken from the site. The 17" walls provide a tremendous amount of insulation. The home also utilizes a 5" thick concrete floor to store the winter sun's heat. This home has minimal need for any mechanical heating due to the passive solar design, in other words its providing heat for free in a Colorado winter! Designed in collaboration with straw bale expert Brian Fuentes, www.fuentesdesign.com

Overview:

Location	Square Ft	Bedrooms	Bath	When Built	Awards
Golden, Colorado	2700	2	2.5	2007	n/a


Study: View Larger		Kitchen: View Larger		Bath: View Larger		Wall Detail: View Larger

Build Green

Passive solar orientation
5" thick concrete floors for thermal mass
Solar heated, in floor radiant system
Solar heated domestic hot water
Solar electric panels mounted on a sun tracking device
Passive through ventilation cooling

Sustainable Materials

Insulated concrete foundation forms
Straw bale exterior walls
Earth plaster finish
SIP roof panels
High efficiency windows and doors

Testimonial:

A place for the heart...

by Jules Javernick, Owner

“It has been said that home is where the heart is and that has certainly been true for us as we built and moved into our “green” home. Stacking straw that became our walls with friends, watching mud thrown on those walls by true craftsmen, and turning on lights using power generated by the sun, have given our home it’s heart.”

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