The Equinox Solarium is based on our popular south facing Equinox plans, but with a west facing front. Our client requested a large solarium with a lap pool to be added to the east. The roof construction is simpler yet the home is still elegant with many interior surprises as you move through the spacious south side and stairs. The clerestory brings light and winter heat down into the second floor loft and middle of the main living area. The low maintenance brick outside is softened by accents of cement board shingles and craftsman style knee braces.
First Floor
The south facing living areas have vaulted ceilings and will receive full winter sun, while the bedrooms are on the cool, north side of the home. The quaint front porch opens into an airlock foyer with French doors that beckon you into the great room. The dining is part of this large space while the kitchen is slightly hidden beyond. The breakfast bay window will be the place of choice for evening meals for the small family. The master suite is on the quiet back side and overlooks the solarium. To the back is the cool north patio that also leads down to the north solarium patio. The master bedroom will come alive on summer mornings with the corner windows to the north east. The two other bedrooms are placed so that they could also serve as home offices. Bedroom 2 is near enough to the master for small children, while Bedroom 3 has more privacy.
Second Floor
The stairwell on the east end welcomes you down to the solarium and up to the second floor. The eastern half of the loft overlooks the main living areas below with a peak into the solarium too. There is plenty of room for a library or exercise equipment. The west end has a large bedroom and bath while the north side has a walk-in attic.
Daylight Basement
The south side mirrors the bay windows from the first floor which add character to large basement.. Its possibilities are limited only by your imagination, but the central French doors and sunny patio speak to a large home office or in laws suite. Our client is going to use it for his model trains.
Garage
The garage is slightly larger than average for two vehicles which will allow for larger vehicles or more storage or workshop space around the perimeter. The family foyer in the sunny west corridor welcomes you home without tripping over laundry.
Construction Info
The Equinox Solarium is designed to be constructed with a stick framed roof walls, but we designed them both to give the client the option to use SIP's (structural insulated panels). The basement is ICF (insulated concrete forms). The first floor has 8' ceilings in the flat areas with the south first floor rooms vaulted. The thermal mass is designed to be in the 2" radiant heat topping.
Modification Ideas
Since these ideas may affect energy performance and structural integrity, they should only be undertaken with professional assistance.
- Take off the solarium, add an east porch and 2nd floor bedroom
- Build the house on a slab for extra thermal mass
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For this plan, the following are included:
Cover sheet/ Schematic Site Plan
Daylight Basement Plan
First Floor Plan (including Garage and Solarium)
Second Floor Loft Plan
Exterior Elevations (all four sides)
Building Sections (with partial interior views)
Kitchen Elevations
Typical Wall Section
Schematic Framing Plans
Schematic Electrical Plans (showing outlets, switches, and lights)
Custom Energy Recommendations (describe how to adapt the home to your location by adapting the insulation values, windows, thermal mass, overhang lengths, and sometimes framing to accommodate necessary insulation)
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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