Designed by Van der Ryn Architects, this building is a wide "U" shape forming a courtyard to the south. Large solarium windows are shield in the summer by a trellis of harvested cedar. Clerestory windows above the trellis allow light to penetrate deep into the living room and bedrooms.


Because of the numerous windows, the south side of the building is conventionally built using sustainably harvested framing lumber covered with Hardiboard cement panels.

(Left) Hardiboard was chosen for longevity and low environmental impact.
(Center) A second trellis protects the west-facing door of the bedroom.
(Right/center) Orange stained bale wall ends protrude slightly from the face.





A bale wall shields the carport from the courtyard. Studio at left, laundry and kitchen at right.





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The walls to the north are made of straw bales.
Most prominently, the back of the curved dining room wall leads visitors across a mosaic to the front entry.












Interior

The core of the house is the large "Great Room" with fireplace.

On the north wall of the living room, next to the fireplace, is a comfortable window seat (occupied here by Andrea Traber, project architect.

The dining room is surrounded by a stepped bale wall., and is connected to the kitchen with a pass-thru window and open doorway.

Details

Colored lime wash finishes	. Rumford fireplace
Slate countertops	Oak shelves in a kitchen niche.
	Recycled framing lumber doors
Construction Photos s.i.p. panels, curved walls, bales Pouring the Colored Slab	photos by the architect....