Like the Sun Dance 3, the front of the Sun Dance 5 faces south, but the kitchen, laundry, and mudroom have been expanded and an attached garage has been added. The stone has been replaced with brick both inside and out and the living and kitchen are vaulted with exposed wood beams.

Like the Sun Dance 3, the front of the Sun Dance 5 faces south, but the kitchen, laundry, and mudroom have been expanded and an attached garage has been added. The stone has been replaced with brick both inside and out and the living and kitchen are vaulted with exposed wood beams.

First Floor

With views to the sitting area around the fireplace and the stairs going up and down, the Sun Dance 5 will intrigue the visitor. The great room has two separate areas - one for gathering and the other for a cozy fireside chat. A few windows on the back take advantage of north views without much of an energy penalty and of course they will make the laundry and kitchen delightful places to work. The west porch is great for sunset dining. The master suite is private and the bath has a large tub tucked into the sunny southeast corner and the ceiling above is vaulted. A small door to the laundry room can easily be added. The notoriously hot laundry area is tucked into the northeast corner and will feel cool. The back family foyer is full of nooks for boots, coats, computer, mail, and pets.

Second Floor

Upstairs there is a cozy window seat with shelves at the top of the stairs. Each bedroom has its own vanity sink and a storage or hide-away nook on the north side.

Daylight Basement

The basement has a sunny southwest side for lots that slope to the west. The darker northeast side is better suited for storage, mechanical, or computer areas that perform better with less light. The basement has a game room large enough for a pool table and a fireplace of its own as well as a bath. The walkout doors would be perfect for a workshop or studio.

Garage/Workshop/Greenhouse

The attached garage on the northeast side will house at least two vehicles with one end for a workshop or third vehicle. The southeast corner is full of windows for a small greenhouse area that will receive direct winter sun in all but the highest of latitudes.

Construction Info

The thermal mass that is necessary for indoor comfort in a house with so much south glass is on the interior walls. They can be brick, or concrete block covered with stucco or tile. The entire roof is designed to be stick framed except for trusses in the garage and connecting corridor. Structural insulated panels could easily be used for the walls and roof. Although the foundation exterior and some of the first floor walls, their is wood (or cement board siding) to soften the look of the house. With a metal roof this house truly has unique exterior.

Modification Ideas

Since these may affect energy performance and structural, they should only be undertaken with professional assistance. - Replace the brick with stone veneer - Reverse the house if you prefer a sunny morning porch and evening sunset views from your whirlpool tub. - Build the house on a concrete slab for the possibility of eliminated the interior brick thermal mass walls

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.

The color 2-D image shown as a "photo" can be customized through Consulting Services.