The French Cowgirl was designed for a family who spends more time outdoors than in. Cozy custom built-ins for the sunny dining area, sleeping areas, and seating in the tower (with 360º views) adorn the home. Quantity of square footage is traded for quality in custom woodwork. The central stairs to the sunny basement make for an upside down two story home that is very energy-efficient with the lower north areas nestled against the temperate earth. Both the front, west sunset porch and the east sunrise porch are wonderful outdoor spaces that do not block the sunny south windows. Exterior steps from both porches lead down to the lower, garden-like patio.

First Floor

A quaint airlock foyer with French doors opens into the spacious great room with full southern views and slightly vaulted ceilings. The stone accents on the wood stove hearth and the ships ladder leading up to the loft tower add character and interest to this fairly simple, easy to build home. The central kitchen keeps the cook in the action and the large walk around counter makes buffet serving especially easy. Built in dining minimizes the floor space which allows for a study nook. Bedroom one in the cool northeast corner receives morning sun. Practical people will appreciate the foyer door to the first floor bath. The central stairs with the window allow for quick access to the sunny lower level.

Daylight Basement

The full daylight basement has many built in berths to allow for family and friends to spend the night. At least one larger bedroom on the cooler northeast side (with code egress window well) is great for kids or parents and could also be used as the primary master bedroom - leaving the upstairs bedroom for a study. The laundry in the lower level frees up more space on the first floor. The open central area makes a nice getaway from the upstairs or vice versa depending upon where a television might be kept. The south French doors allow for easy moving of furniture and a quiet escape to the sunny south patio.

Attached Garage

The attached oversized two-vehicle garage has a storage area along the house wall for storing muddy boots and coats. A sink further keeps the mud out of the house. The garage doors are tucked away on the east for protection from winter northwest winds. Detaching the garage in milder climates would allow for windows into the stairwell.

Construction Info

The French Cowgirl is designed for a clear span trussed roof, 6” exterior walls, and an ICF (insulated concrete form) foundation. Both floors have 8’ ceilings with the first floor south rooms vaulted to the center. Both can easily be changed to 9’ ceilings. Thermal mass is located in tile floors and basement wall mass.  When the basement door and tower hatch are open, the passive cooling with the stack effect can be maximized in summer.

Modification Ideas

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

- If clothes storage is more important than kitchen size, square up the closet and make a smaller kitchen. Or move the kitchen cabinets to the south if giving up the buffet counter is acceptable

- Stretch the house east west direction to make a larger home

- If no basement, replace the stairs with a laundry

Read more about the drawings available for various Sun Plans.

For this plan, the following are included: