A north-facing front makes the Moon Dance 3 appear very different from earlier Moon Dance plans. We turned the family entry into an elegant air lock foyer with French doors while detaching the garage, but still keeping it nearby and sited to the northwest. You enter the home under the north front porch with brick arches. The next levels of spaces are more practical with the desk nook and kitchen nearby to quickly place backpacks and groceries, but through the arches one step further places you into the open south main living areas. The dining with the sun deck beyond can be used for formal dining, or a study since the breakfast area is big enough for a larger table.

First Floor

The first floor is wheelchair-friendly in a non-obvious way with elements pairs of 18" doors. Both the laundry and stairs are practically located in the center of the home. The master suite is on the eastern side for morning sun while the screened porch will be sunny in the later parts of the day. The half bath near the front door can be used just for guests or for the family member who may not want to travel through the house.

The large stone (or brick) hearth and walls are a focal point of the great room with vaulted ceilings. A view up allows you to see the northwest loft. A stone (or brick) wall is featured on one wall of the master suite creating a focal point as well as providing an alternative to storing the sun's heat in tile floors.

Second Floor

The entire upstairs is vaulted including the north dormer that overlooks the living area. Its windows will increase passive cooling when open. The bedrooms are spacious and the ample walk-in attic to the north will make for easy access for storage. Escape to the west balcony for a delightful sunset viewing.

Daylight Basement

The daylight basement has a large entertainment room and 4th bedroom on the south side and exercise space on the north. The basement bath and walk out patio to the west allow this space to also be a great in-law suite.

Garage

The large detached garage intended to be placed to the northeast will keep the garage fumes out of the house. It has overhead doors for two large vehicles and double door for smaller ones. On the south side windows can let in southern sun into the workshop area of the garage.

Construction Info

The Moon Dance 3 is designed for stick framed construction and an ICF, but your local design professional could modify the 6" walls and rafters for SIP's. The first floor and basement have 9' ceilings. To add some thermal mass to the home, there are a few interior stonewalls.

Modification Ideas

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

- For land without a west slope, place the garage to the west and enter the home from the screened porch side
- For a little more second floor space, floor in the open space over the western end of the house.

Read more about the drawings available for various Sun Plans.