What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?
-Earth and sod wrapped exterior keeps the home well insulated all year long
-Strategically placed large skylight allows sunlight to stream in throughout the year
-Trombe walls located in both the greenhouse area and in the main living area capture the sun's heat and diffuse it slowly back after the sun has set
-Ice house roof regularly purges the hot air that collects inside the home in warm weather keeping the house cool in summer months
-Well water
-Special composting station
-30 foot green house is attached to main houseProperty Description
"Terra Uchi", a unique single level passive solar home, was inspired by the early green movement in the 1970's. It incorporates elements of Frank Lloyd Wright with those of traditional Japanese homes. The interior is dramatic and open. Light streams in from stategically located skylights. A large skylight in the living room allows a very broad swath of sunlight to come in 365 days of the year so that its energy can be passively absorbed by Trombe walls in both the living room and attached green house. The heat captured by these walls is slowly released as day turns into night, keeping the house warm and comfortable in the winter both day and night. In the summer, a special ice house roof incorporated into the house allows heated air to be regularly purged out, keeping the house nice and cool in the summer all day long.
The house is 92% wrapped in insulating earth and sod. As a matter of fact, from the air, the house seems to disappear into the land. The interior is so well lit by natural light that most people don't realize it! There is a cozy courtyard in front of the house, protected on one side by a berm that slants upward and over the garage. On one side, the courtyard faces the greenhouse, and on two other sides, the courtyard is bordered by covered wooden walkways that echo elements of Japanese architecture.
"Terra Uchi" was built in 1983 by architect, Richard Hibbert and his wife Jenny. Richard and Jenny built the home literally with their own two hands and those of one other person. The Hibberts estimate that their home saves about half the oveall utility costs of similar sized homes that are don't incorporate passive solar heating and cooling systems. Richard says the interior temperature can naturally go as low as 66 degrees F in the winter and as high as 74 degrees F in the summer.
The property is designed to fit perfectly into the landscape. It sits on a gorgeous wooded 5 acre lot. rests on top of bare rock, and is faced to take advantage of the sun as it changes its angle in the sky from season to season.
According to Richard Hibbert, the house is fireproof. Once during a hurricane, a tree landed on the roof and did absolutely zero damage to the house.
The property has:
-Living room with vaulted ceiling
-Sunken den with fireplace
-Private office area off main entry foyer
-Open dining area with built-in cabinets and counter area
-Gourmet kitchen open to main living area
-Walk-in hall coat closet
-Main level family room with walk-out to deck
-Office/hobby area off bedroom wing
-Custom dark room with 10 foot long sink and built-in storage
-Master bedroom suite with two separate dressing areas, huge walk-in closet, and custom bath with large Jacuzzi tub, separate shower, and toilet and sink in separate room
- Separate laundry room on hallway for master bedroom
- 2 other bedrooms on a separate hallway
- 2nd hall bath with shower in separate room
- 2 car garage with auto opener
- Tool room
- Area for wood shop
- Pantry area
- Utility room
- 30 foot green house with sink is attached to main house!
There is a large free standing screened in porch with a deck just off the side entrance to the kitchen. It has its own electrical service and is currently strung festively with Japanese style lanterns that light up at night. Inside are three tables set up and ready for a bridge game!
There is also a large "deer proof" garden area, a special composting station.
Lastly, all the wooden cabinets in the home were custom crafted from oak trees felled on the property in the course of building the home.
The house is a regular favorite on the Washington DC Solar Homes Tour.Neighborhood Description
The home is located in the Fountainhead neighborhood of Fairfax Station, Virginia. Most of the homes in this neighborhood are custom homes and the lots typically consist of 5 or more acres.Market Area
The home is located in a section of Fairfax County which is located in a watershed area that requires homeowners to have a minimum lot size of 5 acres. However the community is still located within easy commute of Washington, DC. This is ideal for a buyer who is looking for land but still needs to be within easy driving distance of a major metropolitan area.School District
Sangster - Elementary, Lake Braddock - Jr. High and High SchoolCommunity
Location of Home or Land
Rural
Air Quality
| Agriculture in Area | yes |
| Industry in Area | no |
| Air Pollution in Area | yes |
| Pesticide Free | yes |
| Fragrance Free | yes |
| Cleaned with Green Products | no |
Interior Environment
| Heating System | Forced Air - Heat Pump |
| Cooling System | Conventional Heat Pump |
| Ventilation System | Part of Cooling System |
| Whole House Filtration | Active charcoal |
| Whole House Vacuum | yes |
Energy & Water
| Water System | Well |
| Wastewater System | Septic System |
Construction Information
| Exterior Finish | Other |
| Interior Finish | Gypsum Board - Sheet Rock |
| Interior Paint | Other |
| Floor Material | Carpet |
| Roof Material | Earth |
| Window Material | Wood Single Glazed |
| Insulation Material | Urethane Foam |
Garage / Car Port
| Garage / Carport | yes |
| Garage Type | attached |
| Number of Cars | 2 |
| Garage Area | 400 sqft |
