The Dakota is a simple cottage style home that is very open and spacious inside with an optional second floor loft above and optional daylight basement below. The front of the house is designed to face north leaving the back facing south which maximizes privacy in the abundance of south facing windows.
First Floor
The front entry porch on the northeast corner could serve as a cool summer porch with all of the windows open and as an airlock entry for cold winter days. The large dining area bay window and the rest of the south side of the home will be full of sunlight year-round, yet shaded from direct solar gain in summer. The woodstove or fireplace hearth is in the center of the home for equal distribution of heat. Behind it is the art wall tucked beneath the loft walkway above. The kitchen is compact yet close to the pantry/laundry area for overflow of storage.
Second Floor
The stairs with a large half-round window lead up to the loft. The east end is that is open to the great room has a large dormer nook and opens to the storage area above the garage. There is a bathroom/dormer on the north and a bedroom on the west that could also have a large south dormer for solar gain.
Daylight Basement
The stairway also leads down to the daylight basement with two finished bedrooms or studies, an exercise/entertainment room with a fireplace nook and a large bath, sauna, and an abundance of storage. For lots that slope to the south you will not feel like you are in a basement.
Garage Option
The three-car garage on the east connects directly to the primary entry area of the house making for a pleasant arrival for the homeowners. There is no entering through a messy laundry area. The garage could easily be detached.
Construction Info
The great room, kitchen, and dining have vaulted ceilings and are open to the loft above. The private "Away" room and master suite have 8' ceilings, but they too could be vaulted if either half of the second floor was eliminated. With its simple shape, this house is well suited to be constructed with SIP walls or 2x6's. The thermal mass is designed to be primarily in the walls making floor construction simpler.
Modification Ideas
Since these ideas may affect energy performance and structural integrity, they should only be undertaken with professional assistance.
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Eliminate the second floor and build the entire roof with trusses. You can then eliminate the columns which will make the great room feel larger.
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Eliminate the basement and build on a slab for thermal mass. Then no interior brick walls will be needed for mass.
Want to study this sun-inspired house design?
Read more about
the drawings available for various Sun Plans.
Ready to build this house plan?
For this plan, the following are included:
Cover sheet
Daylight Basement Plan
Floor Plans including garage
Exterior Elevations (all four sides in detail)
Building Section (section cut that includes interior view)
Kitchen Elevations
Typical Wall Detail
Schematic Electrical Plans (showing outlets, switches, and lights)
Schematic Framing Plans (floors and roof)
Custom Energy Specs that describe any recommended adaptations for your climate – insulation values, glass type for the various windows, overhang lengths.
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