What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?
We used all natural materials in construction. The straw bale walls give us an estimated R Value of 35, while the insulation in the attic is rated as R40. We have both passive and active solar systems for our heating needs. We have radiant in floor heat in our adobe floors.Property Description
A one and a half story straw bale built with post and beam construction. We used all natural materials in construction including earthen plasters and recycled wood for the cabinetry. It sits on one and a half acres of wooded property with spectacular mountain views.Neighborhood Description
We live in a piñon/juniper forest at the base of 14000 foot peaks in the Sangre de Cristo mountains of southern Colorado. The Baca Grande development is sparsely populated; there are only four houses on our block. All utilities are underground. Most of the views from the house are of trees and mountains.Market Area
The town of Crestone is an old mining town. It is very rural, but has two grocery stores, three restaurants, a credit union, a post office, and several small shops.School District
The school district is Moffat RE2. There are two public schools. The Crestone Charter School is an experiential learning school, while the Moffat schools are more of the traditional type.Community
We live in the Crestone/Baca community. This is the town of Crestone and the Baca Grande development just south of town. It's a very diverse community with a lot of retirees as well as young families. There are several spiritual retreat centers here, many of them Buddhist, but also Hindu and Catholic. There is also a strong alternative healing community here.Location of Home or Land
Rural
Elevation of Home
Mountain
Air Quality
Agriculture in Area | no |
Industry in Area | no |
Air Pollution in Area | no |
Pesticide Free | yes |
Fragrance Free | yes |
Cleaned with Green Products | yes |
Interior Environment
Heating System | Hydronic Floor Heat (radiant) |
Cooling System | Passive Cooling |
Ventilation System | Other |
Whole House Filtration | None |
Whole House Vacuum | no |
Energy & Water
Water System | Municipal |
Wastewater System | Municipal |
Construction Information
Construction Type | Straw bale |
Exterior Finish | Plaster - Earth |
Interior Finish | Gypsum Board - Sheet Rock Earthen Plaster |
Interior Paint | Other |
Floor Material | Tile Other |
Roof Material | Metal |
Window Material | Wood Dual Glazed |
Insulation Material | Recycled Denim Batt Other |
Garage / Car Port
Garage / Carport | yes |
Garage Type | carport_detached |
Number of Cars | 2 |