The cozy Moorhaus Cottage 2 is a variation of the original Moorhaus Cottage. While the Moorhaus Cottage plan has many openings from the second floor to the first floor below, the newer plan has been changed to mold to the clients’ need for a more child-friendly home. The simple, northern-facing entry is framed with heavy timbers and craftsman-style knee braces. Guests feel welcome and the family is glad to be home.

The cozy Moorhaus Cottage 2 is a variation of the original Moorhaus Cottage. While the Moorhaus Cottage plan has many openings from the second floor to the first floor below, the newer plan has been changed to mold to the clients’ need for a more child-friendly home. The simple, northern-facing entry is framed with heavy timbers and craftsman-style knee braces. Guests feel welcome and the family is glad to be home.

First Floor

The entry foyer has plenty of room to decorate with furniture or art, to help set the mood as people walk through the front door. A coat closet provides ample room for coats, while the surrounding areas provide overflow for winter coats and boots. The kitchen has an open pantry that takes advantage of the extra storage space beneath the stairs. It opens to a screened porch on the eastern side of the house that is perfect for eating breakfast or late snacks to enjoy the outdoors without worrying about insects. The southeast deck is perfect for barbequing.

A high wall in the master bedroom separates the dressing area from the bedroom and provides a nice area to change right next to his and her closets. The windows along the southern side of the house provide the master bedroom, as well as the great room and kitchen, with ample light and ventilation to help keep the rooms pleasant. The removal of a basement in this plan allows for extra storage space below the stairs as well as the addition of a half bath just outside of the entry room.

Second Floor

A kid’s study, craft area, or optional fourth bedroom has been placed in the center of the second floor. The third bedroom has an extra large walk-in closet with plenty of eave storage. Even without a basement, this house is not to be found wanting for places to keep things stored! The large walk-in attic can become another bedroom since it has a bedroom-sized window.

Detached Garage

The garage is separate from the house and can be placed on the western or eastern side of the home. It provides room for at least two vehicles and has extra space at the south end that may be used as a workshop or greenhouse, with the multitude of southern windows to let in light.

Construction Info

The 8’ high first floor ceilings fit the cozy scale of this economical house. Upstairs ceilings are all sloped for character and efficient use of space within the steep roof pitch. The walls of the first floor are designed to be constructed with ICF (insulated concrete forms). The second floor is designed to have 6” studs. With thermal mass in the ICF walls, the slab foundation, and the some stone-covered walls, this home will have very stable temperatures year-round.

Modification Ideas

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

- Since there is extra thermal mass in the slab, change the walls to stick-framed studs and rafters, or SIP panels
- Increase the house width 2’ to allow for stairs for 9’ ceilings
- Finish the north walk-in attic to another bedroom
- Attach the garage to the east of the screened porch so that the porch still function as a breezeway, yet the garage is closer

Read more about the drawings available for various Sun Plans.

Custom Energy Specs that describe any recommended adaptations for your climate – insulation values, glass type for the various windows, overhang lengths.