The Equinox Homestead is one of the four original Sun-Inspired Home Plans; it has recently been updated to a slightly modified version of the original Homestead. It has been on the National Tour of Solar Homes. The dominant feature of this one story plan is the library loft with long clerestory above that brings light and additional solar gain into the center of the home. The front of the Equinox Homestead is designed to face south. The south living areas are bright and sunny while the north bedrooms will remain cool.

First Floor

This home with few hallways has little wasted space. The clerestory into the middle of the house creates a wonderful spatial quality in combination with the vaulted ceilings. The sunroom can become an away room or breakfast area with the smaller bay window then used for plants. The porches on each end allow for both sunrise and sunset viewing year round. The breakfast bay is a unique feature that is echoed in the front foyer.

Second Floor

The stairs to the loft also lead to a balcony space beneath the clerestory, perfect for an extensive library. There is an abundance of storage space upstairs too. The loft storage can become a fourth bedroom, playroom, or office with its French doors leading to the private, covered balcony.

Garage Option

The garage can be detached or attached and located on the side or back. From the back you could enter through the laundry and from the side you would enter into the family entry.

Construction Info

A stick framed roof allows for insulation to be fit between the rafters to create room for the loft and a semi-conditioned walk in attic. The first floor south ceilings are vaulted while the north spaces have 8' ceilings. The entire second floor is vaulted. The slab construction is designed to have thermal mass floors for the south side of the house. The concrete mass floors can be covered in stone, tile, brick pavers, or concrete stain for a marble look. The electronically operated windows in the clerestory aid in cooling.

Modification Ideas

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

- Close off the sunroom entirely by adding a solid wall or French doors between it and the breakfast nook.
- Add a half bath in place of the pantry and relocate the pantry to the kitchen desk area.
- Remove the permanent stairs and the loft to create one large room from the sunroom and breakfast nook.
- Turn the living room end into the front of the house! The side would then face south making this layout ideal for a narrow lot.
- The Reverse Option will place the driveway on the right and the living room on the west. The sunroom and its adjacent porch will catch more morning sun.

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.