The Heartland evolved from our popular Islander homes with the kitchen on the side of the house near a porch. The addition of craftsman styling is evident with the gable roof ends with knee braces, and shingle siding accents adorning features such as the numerous window boxes. The main north entry has moved to the center of the house distancing bedroom 2 from the master suite. The foyer with angled walls centers on the large south window of the living area and the daylight cooling chimney above which brings light into the center of the home.

The Heartland evolved from our popular Islander homes with the kitchen on the side of the house near a porch. The addition of craftsman styling is evident with the gable roof ends with knee braces, and shingle siding accents adorning features such as the numerous window boxes. The main north entry has moved to the center of the house distancing bedroom 2 from the master suite. The foyer with angled walls centers on the large south window of the living area and the daylight cooling chimney above which brings light into the center of the home.

First Floor

Our clients desired a more spacious first floor with the square footage of a possible third bedroom added to the wheelchair-friendly living areas. The entire main living areas are on the sunny south. The main stone-covered thermal mass wall gathering the winter heat from both the great room and master bedroom is also backdrop to the homes hearth which could be a wood or pellet stove, or wood or gas fireplace.

The kitchen in the sunny southeast corner leads to the side screened porch through French doors. Outside, there is room for dining and a cozy sitting area around a fireplace. The kitchen is near the garage and laundry/family entry, or service side of the house which also hosts a large pantry and half bath.

Bedroom 2 with its French doors is ideally situated for a study. A small desk nook just north of the kitchen is near the stairs to the daylight basement which are closed off for thermal and acoustical isolation when desired.

Daylight Basement

Additional sunny bedrooms for the kids and their family home for the holidays can be found in the daylight basement that has its own kitchenette and living area with French doors to the yard. With land that slopes to the south, all of the south rooms can have plenty of light. The possibilities for this area are endless. On the north there is plenty of room for mechanical and storage (or a root cellar) tucked under the area that connects the house to the garage.

Garage

The extra large garage is attached on the northeast and would function well with the doors on the east or north too. The south side near the house has space for a workshop or yard equipment. Pull down attic stairs access the large attic space above between the roof trusses.

Construction Info

Both the basement and first floor ceilings are 9' high. The roof is designed to be constructed with simple, gable trusses with flat ceilings. Thermal mass is designed into the wall behind the hearth and can be covered with stone, stucco, or tile. Tile floors over some thermal mass are also recommended for increasing comfort in other south-facing rooms.

Modification Ideas

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

- Change the half bath to a ¾ bath and connect it to bedroom 2. There are several options for adding a small closet.
- Add a front porch across the north side, but note that this will block light to bedroom 2 and the master bath

Read more about the drawings available for various Sun Plans.