The Atrium Breeze 3 home features the same sunny atrium, vaulted first floor, and basic layout as the Atrium Breeze 2, but the exterior has been modified to stone and stucco. Other changes include a larger garage and basement modifications for land that sloped to the southeast. The entry is through the front courtyard on the northeast and nearby there is a path that leads down to the walkout daylight basement den - perfect for a home office or in-laws suite.

The Atrium Breeze 3 home features the same sunny atrium, vaulted first floor, and basic layout as the Atrium Breeze 2, but the exterior has been modified to stone and stucco. Other changes include a larger garage and basement modifications for land that sloped to the southeast. The entry is through the front courtyard on the northeast and nearby there is a path that leads down to the walkout daylight basement den - perfect for a home office or in-laws suite.

First Floor

The front entry courtyard welcomes the visitor as they approach from the northeast (northwest if plan is reversed). Elimination of the elevator makes the front bedroom larger and it now has its own private bath. The master bedroom and bath are still large, but the laundry has been moved closer to the kitchen and garage. The small loft has been traded for a vaulted ceiling in the stair well and if you were not too concerned about excessive summer heat or possible leaks, a skylight above would be fantastic. The dominant feature of the home is still the kitchen, great room, and dining as they are washed by the light from the atrium.

Daylight Basement

If your land slopes to the south and east, the light into the bedrooms, craft room, exercise room, and den/kitchenette would make these spaces bright so long as you do not add decks above the south windows. The only dark area would be the mechanical room which has the area outside covered by the screened porch above.

Garage

The garage can hold 3 vehicles and has been expanded to have room around the edge for extra storage and workbenches. The optional southwest greenhouse area is a great place for your outdoor plants in winter especially if the garage is insulated.

Construction Info

The entire kitchen, master bedroom, and front bedroom all still have the same vaulted ceilings as the great room, dining, and corner sunroom of the previous Atrium Breeze plans. The other first floor rooms still have 9' ceilings and the basement has 10' walls. (Always check with structural engineers on heights of basement walls.) The roof slope is still lower and the thermal mass walls around the corner sunroom remain. They can be covered in tile, stone, or stucco to assist with thermal comfort in winter. We estimate this home and our other atrium plans to be about 20% more expensive to build than other homes with simpler roof structures.

Modification Ideas

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

- Slide the garage to the northwest to open up the entry (then remove the screened porch to make the roof lines work)
- Move the garage to the other side of the screened porch then modify the entire area between kitchen and previous garage to allow for a third bedroom and bath.
- Eliminate the basement and build on a concrete slab for more thermal mass which minimizes temperature swings

Read more about the drawings available for various Sun Plans.

Custom Energy Specs that describe any recommended adaptations for your climate – insulation values, glass type for the various windows, overhang lengths.