Our client had a north approach to their property and desired the healthier detached garage, so we created the Fernwood 2. The Fernwood evolved from our Prairie Dog plans with the simple shape and numerous exterior porches. These 2 bedroom, 2 bath, small footprint plans have room for additional bedrooms, baths, and living areas in the daylight basements. These homes with two levels of sunny, south windows are some of our most popular.
First Floor
The primary living areas with vaulted ceilings are on the south while bedrooms and baths are on the north. The dining has western views and opens to a screened porch. The living room has eastern views and a large southwest deck. The cozy built-in breakfast nook has panoramic views to the south. The centrally located kitchen makes bringing in groceries as easy as possible for sunny kitchens that are by necessity further from the garage.
The master bedroom will catch a sunrise and the study or bedroom 2, the sunset. The baths have two doors to allow for both public and private spaces and the laundry is conveniently accessed from both. Most spaces are wheelchair accessible (see 5' circle turning radiuses.) Bedroom 2 with lower light levels is well-suited for computer work.
Daylight Basement
The daylight basement with 9' ceilings can have up to 3 more bedrooms, a recreation area, and a walkout patio to the east. It is easily accessed from the center of the home. The sun will stream down the stairs in winter. The root storage and mechanical are on the cool, bermed north and west ends.
Garage
A two-vehicle detached garage has several options for location depending upon the approaches of your drives and slope of your land. Placement to the west of the house will work best for northeast approaches and setting the garage to the north will work best for northwest to southwest approaches.
Construction Info
The Fernwood 2 is designed to be constructed with a trussed roof, 6" exterior walls, and an ICF (insulated concrete form) foundation. The first floor has 8' ceilings with the south rooms vaulted to the center. The north rooms could be vaulted too, but the flat ceiling allows for some attic storage above. Thermal mass walls around the kitchen temper the strong winter heat gain if finished in tile, stone, or stucco, and the tile covered south floors will also help moderate temperatures. The exterior is designed for horizontal cement board siding, stone veneer foundation, and a metal roof make the Fernwood 2 resistant to exterior fires. The exterior surfaces are the easy to change.
Modification Ideas
Since these ideas may affect energy performance and structural integrity, they should only be undertaken with professional assistance.
- Place the drive on the west for a west-facing house
- Make an east-facing house by reversing the plan OR make the east door into the living area the front door. The north porch then becomes the back or side porch.
- Reverse the kitchen and dining for a strong dining to living connection
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:
Schematic Site Plan
Daylight Basement Plan
Floor Plan
Exterior Elevations
Building Section (section cut includes interior view)
Kitchen Elevations
Typical Wall Detail
Schematic Electrical
Schematic Framing Plans
Custom Energy Specs that describe any recommended adaptations for your climate – insulation values, glass type for the various windows, overhang lengths.
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
