The Northern Sun 3 is a simpler version of our Northern Sun design which is similar to our Four Seasons house plans with the compact plan and abundance of south windows. Our clients wanted the garage detached and the stairs accessible from the two story sunroom dining. The comfortable front porch faces north and will be cool in summer.

The Northern Sun 3 is a simpler version of our Northern Sun design which is similar to our Four Seasons house plans with the compact plan and abundance of south windows. Our clients wanted the garage detached and the stairs accessible from the two story sunroom dining. The comfortable front porch faces north and will be cool in summer.

The dining area is still open to both the kitchen and great room and we've opened up the stairs a bit to create more spatial interest. The great room with windows on three sides will have balanced light. The hearth is also visible from the dining and since the great room is so large, a couple of comfy chairs can be placed right in front. The west screened porch has been enlarged to allow space for more furniture and still has two doors for air circulation. The first floor bedroom for the aging years can also be an away room or office and the central bath can be used by many. Very little space is wasted in this house. This is most evident with the front door which is both the guest and family entry from the detached garage. There is a small convenient area for a laundry right off the kitchen if you get tired of using the upstairs one.

The master bedroom upstairs still has a spacious bathroom, but to save on space and bathroom fixtures, it now shares its large shower/tub with the half bath used by the other two bedrooms. The walk in closet is spacious enough for both laundry and ironing area and it's east window will allow the morning sun to come in. The two other upstairs bedrooms have large closets with small west windows for some afternoon light.

The optional detached or two-car garage is designed to be located to the north east, but could be placed elsewhere too.

The combination foundation combines the best of a concrete slab for thermal mass and crawlspace for the raised front porch look and plumbing access.

The entire second floor has exterior walls that slope up from 8' to 10'. The first floor has 9' ceilings. The thermal mass needed to prevent large interior winter temperature swings is located in the concrete slab floor that can be covered with such things as tile, stone, brick pavers, etc.

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

- Glass in the side screened porch to be used as an away room if you have trees to shade the west windows.
- Add another bedroom or study upstairs by flooring in the areas above the dining
- Add a east door to the kitchen and attach the garage while adding a large mudroom too.

Read more about the drawings available for various Sun Plans.