What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?
The features making Katywil homes green include:rnrn*Small footprint: 1350 square feetrnrn*R-45 walls and R-55 ceilingrnrn*Dense-packed, blown-in cellulose in walls and ceilingrnrn*Passive-solar south-facing windowsrnrn*Roof eaves designed for latitude-appropriate solar exposurernrn*Choice of double- or triple-paned windowsrnrn*Choice of heating systems: super-efficient air-to-air heat pump, solar-thermal roof panels, or ground-source heat pumprnrn*Energy Star or better appliancesrnrn*Locally harvested wood used where possiblernrn*Locally harvested schist countertopsrnrn*Recycled sheetrock throughoutrnrn*Community-wide solar panels and micro-hydro plant in the planning stagesrnrn*Community gardens and orchards in planning stages for spring of 2010rnrnrnrn*Property Description
A major part of simplifying your life is to live in a more modest space. At Katywil, each house has 1350 square feet, roughly half the size of the average new house now built in the Northeast.rnrnDecreasing the house size also decreases its energy needs and allows passive solar and solar-thermal sources to heat and cool your house, as well as provide for hot water. Community-wide solar panels and a micro-hydro turbine to produce electricity are in the planning stages.rnrnFirst (upper) floor: The north wall has fewer windows than the south wall, which overlooks Stone Mountain and the valley. Note also the differences in wall thickness: the thicker walls are a foot of blown-in, dense-packed cellulose, with an R-value of 45. Ceilings throughout are R-55.rnrnNote, too, the ramp from the garage into the pantry and kitchen. The first floor of each house is designed using Universal Design standards and approved by a consultant from Independent Living Resources. Ready for everything from strollers to wheelchairs, the entrance is ramped; doorways are three-feet wide, and there are no thresholds. The first-floor bathroom has a roll-in shower. Each house has one garage space, a mudroom, a screened porch, root cellar, and storage space.rnrnSecond (lower floor): The lower floor has two guest bedrooms, one of which might be used for an office, and a bath. At the rear, there is a large storage and utilities room. For those who might need it, this floor could also be used for children or as separate living space for a caregiver.rnrnThe price of the house plans is included in the purchase price of the house. Any architectural changes to these plans must be paid for by the owner.Neighborhood Description
Nestled into the hillside will be 18 south-facing houses in two clusters. The lower cluster of 12 three-quarter-acre lots will comprise Phase I along Crosier Lane; Phase II the upper five-lot cluster along Stowe Farm Lane. Between the two clusters is the existing house, a large redwood home built in 1972 with five guest rooms, a large party or meeting space, kitchen, library, and workshop. This building will serve, at least for the time being, as the community house. The Katywil topography of alluvial terraces provides views that differ remarkably from lot to lot. From some lots, you can see primarily the Catamounts; from others, Stone Mountain; still others, views of woods and the West Branch of the North River. Because of the terracing, very little of other houses can be seen as you face north or south. Neighboring houses can be seen more easily as you face east or west on some lots. Adding a mixture of evergreens and fruit or nut trees will gradually screen the houses’ lateral views.rnrnAn edible-forest-garden plan is being developed for the community house. Edible-forest landscaping is not merely ornamental, though it is easy to add annuals, and native perennials. As we move into an age when the importance of producing one’s own food becomes increasingly paramount, a combination of vegetable gardening and edible-forest gardening can make Katywil over time nearly self-sustaining for nutrition.rnrnCrosier Lane and Stowe Farm Lane are common driveways built to Massachusetts code will link the houses to Stetson Brothers Road.Market Area
The Pioneer Valley is distinguished by the Connecticut River, the largest in New England, its many tributaries, lush valley farmland, its small hill towns and its artistic and cultural vibrancy. Fertile farmland borders the Connecticut River as it flows through Whately, Deerfield, and Sunderland to the south.rnrnThe “hilltowns” of Colrain, Shelburne, Charlemont and Heath to the northwest are known for their mountains, hills, streams, small rivers and woodlands. A growing number of small organic farms and their farm stands are part of the fabric of life as members of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA’s). In fact, Franklin County ranks as the 85th county in the U.S. (out of 3,143) in direct sales of food to their communities.rnrnThe Valley is also known for its arts, and local music is particularly strong. In nearby Shelburne Falls, for instance, the coffee shop Mocha Maya offers a diverse weekly blend of jazz, rock, and folk. Just a few steps away are an elegant gift shop, ‘Wandering Moon’; Nancy Dole’s ‘Books & Ephemera’; elegant leather design by Dick Muller; Café Martin, Gypsy Apple, West End Pub, and Ollie’s Down Under restaurants; the Shelburne Falls Wine Merchant, and several art galleries, and, of course, McCusker’s Market, the store that started the rebirth of the village.rnrnThe real commercial center of the upper valley is Greenfield, about 25 minutes from Katywil. Not only does the town offer the convenience of box stores like Home Depot, Staples, BJ’s, and Big Y as well as brand names like Radio Shack and Subway, but also an enticing array of local stores and restaurants and Greenfield Community College, a world-class community college with lots of non-credit offerings.rnrnStandouts are the People’s Pint and Berkshire Brewery, our local brew-meisters, which serves mostly organic food in an eco-friendly environment; Green Fields Market on Main Street for organically grown vegetables and meat, as well as a varied deli menu; and China Gourmet, a five-star Chinese restaurant. A wonderful new addition with an inventive menu and an intriguing wine list is Hope & Olive. Other Greenfield restaurants include Thai, Korean, Mexican, Italian, Vietnamese, Chinese, barbeque, and homestyle cooking.rnrnJust to the east of Greenfield is Turners Falls, which is fast becoming a local center for the arts and theater.School District
Community
Location of Home or Land
Rural
Elevation of Home
Mountain
Air Quality
| Agriculture in Area | yes |
| 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 | Other |
| Ventilation System | Heat Exchanger |
| Whole House Filtration | None |
| Whole House Vacuum | no |
Energy & Water
| Energy System | Solar - Photovoltaic |
| Water System | Well |
| Wastewater System | Septic System |
Construction Information
| Exterior Finish | Other |
| Interior Finish | Other |
| Interior Paint | Low VOC |
| Floor Material | Wood - Solid |
| Roof Material | Asphalt Composition Shingle |
| Window Material | Wood Dual Glazed |
| Insulation Material | Recycled Denim Batt |
Garage / Car Port
| Garage / Carport | yes |
| Garage Type | attached |
| Number of Cars | 1 |
