The Garden Atrium is based on our popular Atrium home with a central atrium that brings sunlight down into the center of the home to the garden atrium with a fountain. Unlike our other Atrium plans which are designed to sit a 45 degree angle to the sun, the Garden Atrium has it's long wall facing south as this was desired by our client. The front is east-facing, but with the way the family entry and garage are situated, an approach from the north or northeast would be appealing.

First Floor

The kitchen has been enlarged but is still open to the garden atrium. The new morning room is nearby for a sunrise cup of coffee or starting spring plantings. From the kitchen you also have a view out through the enlarged south windows of the dining and great room. The corner southwest sunroom is for sunset viewing although in some climates we may recommend exterior shading or low SHGC glass for the west. With one bedroom by the entry, it would serve equally well as a home office. Bath 2 can also be used by overnight guests or another adult if the master bathroom proved too small for two at the same time.

Second Floor

The quaint loft above with low sloped ceilings has a study area that overlooks the main living areas and the garden atrium. The skylights and glass block maximize light in this quaint space. The upstairs bedroom and bath are quaint with their sloped ceilings and many nooks. You can even peek down into the southwest sunroom.

Foundation

This plan comes with an ICF foundation plan that is a concrete slab and partial basement combination. The slab is on the south which maximizes thermal mass for comfort. Garage The attached garage is separated from the house by a family airlock entry and angled to allow southeast views from the morning room. The southeast windows on the garage make that portion suitable for wintering potted plants.

Construction Info

The first floor ceilings are to10' to allow for more south glass and better views skyward. The great room, dining, part of the kitchen, and southwest sunroom have vaulted ceilings. The master suite and kitchen could also have vaulted ceilings if the loft above was not constructed. There are some interior mass walls for thermal mass and character. They can be covered in stone, tile, or stucco. This is a complex home and will cost more than average to construct. Have your builder review our Construction Review Set and give you a preliminary price. (This applies to all of our plans.)

Modification Ideas

Since changes may affect energy performance and structural integrity, they should be done with professional assistance.
- Connect bath 2 to bedroom 2 or combine it with the master bath for one large one.
- Move the laundry to the airlock family entry and then enlarge the master bath.
- Make Bath 2 a half bath and expand the laundry

Read more about the drawings available for various Sun Plans.