The Northern Lights home was inspired by our home featured in Oct/Nov 1993 issue of Fine Homebuilding and other energy publications. The low energy consumption and comfortable interior have been proven. Both the passive solar and excellent attention to the energy efficient details (caulking and insulation) along with the properly designed mechanical system contributes to the comfort and low fuel consumption. The front is designed to face north, but the equally attractive east side would also make a wonderfully inviting home.

The Northern Lights home was inspired by our home featured in Oct/Nov 1993 issue of Fine Homebuilding and other energy publications. The low energy consumption and comfortable interior have been proven. Both the passive solar and excellent attention to the energy efficient details (caulking and insulation) along with the properly designed mechanical system contributes to the comfort and low fuel consumption. The front is designed to face north, but the equally attractive east side would also make a wonderfully inviting home.

First Floor

A large front porch faces north and wraps around the east side of the home (west if reversed.) The interior is a surprise with vaulted ceilings and an abundance of light. The kitchen has a large window facing east with room for plants in the window sill. The sun room corner on the southeast is cozy with space for a small table and two comfortable chairs. The bedrooms on the south will be full of sun during winter days. The north bedroom with softer light would make an ideal study or art studio. The central laundry opens to the screened porch for outside clothes drying or just a cool place to relax. If the garage was attached to the front of the house at the north edge of the porch, the screened area would channel breezes.

Garage Option

The optional garage can be attached to the NE corner of the front of the home or detached and accessed through the screened porch or a breezeway on any side of the home that was convenient for you.

Construction Info

The great room, dining, and kitchen are open with high sloped ceilings under scissor trusses. The advantage of the flat ceilings in the west half of the home is they are the platform for the large attic above that even has permanent stairs leading up to it. The floors in the south-facing rooms are designed to have thermal mass floors such as brick pavers, ceramic tile, or stone over the concrete slab.

Modification Ideas

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

- If the front dining was turned into a study, the sunroom area is also large enough to house a large dining table.
- Vaulted trusses could also be added in the bedrooms too for a more spacious feeling to the otherwise 8' ceilings.
- Work with your local building professionals to design a crawl space or basement to carry thermal mass floors if concrete slabs are problematic with your soils.
- Enclose the screened porch for a sewing room or use it as a cool summer sleeping porch

Read more about the drawings available for various Sun Plans.

Slab On Grade Foundation
Floor Plan
Exterior Elevations
Building Section
Kitchen Elevations
Typical Wall Detail
Schematic Electrical
Schematic Roof Framing
Garage

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