The Green House

This Alces Post & Beam 1,600 square foot cottage style house was designed to fit a very tight building site. It was built to maximize living space and be a model of energy efficiency. The house was oriented to the south to maximize passive solar heating. It incorporates large gable and eave overhangs that limit direct sun exposure in the summer, thereby keeping the home cool, but allow the exposure of winter sun, to help keep the house warm. The frame was raised on a well insulated "Alaskan" slab that contains radiant heating piping. To maximize head room and living space on the second floor while minimizing knee wall height, the frame was cut with a steep 15.5/12 roof pitch. A field stone chimney with a raised hearth is centrally located on the first floor and is surrounded by an open kitchen, dining and living area finished with locally cut and milled tap-hole maple flooring. On the second floor, the masonry chimney continues through the master bedroom with a cathedral ceiling and provides radiant heat to the second floor. In addition to the master bedroom, the second floor has a guest bedroom, a full bathroom, and a special dog nook. A loft above provides a reading room with ample storage space. Attached to the 20' x 31' planed eastern hemlock house frame is a 13' x 16' SIP constructed gable "bump-out" with a beautiful timber roof system. The first floor of the bump-out contains the mudroom, a half bath, laundry room, and mechanical room. The space above is used as an exercise room. The house is heated primarily by a Vermont Castings Encore wood stove, but utilizes the in-slab radiant heat as a backup. It has energy efficient windows, a direct vent combination boiler for on-demand hot water and heating, and a heat recovery ventilator to regulate moisture and circulate fresh air throughout the living areas of the house.

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