TheApple Energy was inspired by the popular Northern Lights series.  Right-sized porches minimize construction costs while maximizing light to the kitchen and front study. A spacious foyer, graced by a staircase allows visitors to mingle before entering the home. The French doors allow for a view into the spacious great room full of light from the large expanse of south-facing windows. The long wood stove-wall provides endless options for adapting the central hearth to fit the family.

First Floor

The south living areas create an open, spacious feel yet the kitchen is tucked away..  The east-facing kitchen with a large window box admits morning sun while reflected light through the southern windows will brighten it the rest of the day.  The east deck is perfect for a hot drink in the morning drink or a cold one in the evening.

The bedrooms on the private end of the home are easily accessed from the main corridor. Two extra bathrooms give each bedroom their own or leave the third one for guests, messy workshop users or the optional loft rooms if a bathroom is not added upstairs. The large central laundry is near the bedrooms.

Walk-up Attic / Optional finished spaces

Designed with a full set of stairs and adequate head height, the walk up attic has abundant storage for endless options and can be finished into full-time living areas. The 12’ wide space that is 68’ feet long has many possibilities. Access to the upstairs is from the air lock entry which assures that the upstairs will be sealed off from the main house and not cause extra heat loss or heat gain. In summer, the doors between the two levels can be left open to aid in passive cooling if high windows are opened.

Attached Garage

The “L” shaped area between the garage and house forms a courtyard-like space for the front walkway. The extra large garage has one double set and two large overhead doors near the front of the home which works well for narrow lots. The separate mechanical room is nestled close to the house and is large enough for both space heating and active solar equipment.

Construction Info

With 9’ tall ceilings throughout, the economical flat-ceiling rooms feel spacious.  This allows for a full length attic above.  Loose-fill insulation on the ceiling and SIP roof panels on top of the trusses allow for super insulation and a semi-conditioned attic. 8” thick exterior walls allow for thick SIP panels or double 2x4. Custom Energy Specs with construction orders will list several options for the particular climate where the house is to be built. Full concrete slab construction provides more than adequate thermal mass in the floors in the south-facing rooms which can be covered in stone, brick, tile or stained and polished concrete.

Modification Ideas

Since these ideas may affect energy performance and structural integrity, they should only be undertaken with professional assistance. 

- For a three bedroom home, use bedroom 4 as a study and enlarge bath 2 into a an extra large two-compartment bathroom

- If all the attic storage is not needed, vault the south rooms to make the living areas feel larger and still have some attic space

- Finish off the upstairs spaces into a teenage or guest suite with two large bedrooms each and a central entertainment area.