What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?
Property Description
Perhaps one of the Southwest’s most stunning architectural gems, this highly energy efficient (“green”), healthy home has been featured in Sunset Magazine, the New Solar Home book, twice on HGTV as well as in numerous local magazines. Offering stunning, protected 280 degree views of The Peaks in Flagstaff, the Bradshaw Mountains, Thumb Butte, and many of the major geographical landmarks of downtown Prescott, the 4240 livable sq. ft. home sits on 1.74 south facing acres of Juniper, Pinon Pine, Oak, and granite boulders.
The primary construction material and method – which reduces the carbon footprint by 50% relative to concrete -- is a completely original Portland cement technology called Poured Soil Cement developed by the owner/architect/builder. It consists of a blend of earth in varying proportions that is poured into forms revealing 20” thick, richly textured and colored, finished walls that are structural, insulating, and fire, water and termite resistant. They are also non-toxic and durable requiring virtually no maintenance! The flexible floor plan allows for varied uses. An elevator services the upper 2 levels from the ground floor 2-car attached garage and shop with generous storage area.
The first level above the garage – accessed by either the elevator or exterior landscape stairs to the front door – consists of a guest suite/2nd master bedroom with a full bath and a view balcony; a second bedroom or office with view balcony; a larger 3rd room for any number of uses (an additional bedroom , a studio/office space, den or hobby room, media room or game room); an additional full bath; laundry room; and storage area or potential workshop /darkroom; and an unheated Arizona room or greenhouse that is used for passive heating in the cooler months.
The second, main level accessed by interior stairs or elevator, consists of a master bedroom suite with a 3/4 bath, walk-in closet and outside hot tub area; large chef’s kitchen, island and large wall pantry; a 1/2 bath/powder room; formal dining space; café style dining/breakfast area with built-in seating and a smaller reading/sitting area with built in cabinetry; great room/living room with fireplace (note the fireplace is manufactured by Isokern, a Swedish design in the style and energy efficient tradition of Count Rumford). This level is an open floor plan with stunning views and multiple exterior balconies and decks accessed from every room.
Summertime interior temperatures average 75f downstairs and 78f upstairs without the use of cooling systems. Ceiling fans and air conditioning are rarely used but available. Notice the “Lighting Deck” that runs beneath the upper windows. A signature feature of the owner/architect, the reflector deck serves a dual purpose: to increase solar gain (passive solar heat) to reduce energy costs, as well as to diffuse (“bounce”) sunlight deep into the entire living space so that it is beautifully and comfortably lit without glare.
Windows are high quality -- aluminum clad exterior, wood framed interior with dual pane glazing. Doors are Forest Steward Council, sustainably harvested, solid core pine. Exposed interior post and beam construction reveals beautiful reclaimed peeled Ponderosa Pine vertical tree trunks from Flagstaff, AZ and Weirhauser certified sustainable horizontal beams. The floors are tile, carpet, and acid-etched, stained concrete. The counters are sealed concrete.
All exterior decking is masonry block pavers requiring no maintenance; the soffits are tongue and groove exposed structural pine also reclaimed from Flagstaff. The roof is 18 gauge oxidized steel to last a lifetime. The entire perimeter of the building has a French drain. Storm gutters are plumbed for rainwater harvesting (currently no cisterns in place). The custom steel railings and storm and storm/security/insulating doors were designed by Royce Carlson of Cosmic Steel.
The energy and mechanical systems are as follows:
- Thin Film solar photovoltaic electric; grid tied for Co-generation and reverse metering.
- Solar powered 98% efficient boiler (Munchin) to heat the zoned radiant in floor heat system; zoning allows for unused portions of the home to be turned off for higher efficiency and savings. 2 Zones on the lower level and 4 zones on the upper main level. Notice the steel ceiling in the larger rooms downstairs used as radiant heaters.
- All appliances are Energy Star Certified
- All plumbing fixtures are low-flo
- Cooling system is primarily passive ventilation with ceiling fans. In addition there is an evaporative cooler and air conditioner.
- Heat recovery ventilator and air purification system services the storage and larger room downstairs
- Solar hot-water system plumbing is “roughed-in” if so desired.
- The home is data and CAT-V wired
- 200amp electrical service
Recent upgrades include a highly efficient European-design air conditioner, newly refinished acid-etched floors, and dual-flush Toto toiletsNeighborhood Description
Located on the west side of Prescott at the end of a cul-de-sac 1 mile from the National Forest.Market Area
Prescott, AZ is one of the most desireable places to live in the U.S. as voted by Money Magazine, CNN, and many other publications.School District
Community
Location of Home or Land
Suburban
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) Solar - Passive |
Cooling System | Passive Cooling Other |
Ventilation System | Heat Exchanger |
Whole House Filtration | Other |
Whole House Vacuum | no |
Energy & Water
Energy System | Solar - Photovoltaic |
Water System | Municipal |
Wastewater System | Municipal |
Construction Information
Exterior Finish | Other |
Interior Finish | Other |
Interior Paint | Other |
Floor Material | Concrete Carpet Tile Other |
Roof Material | Metal |
Window Material | Metal Dual Glazed |
Insulation Material | Other |
Garage / Car Port
Garage / Carport | yes |
Garage Type | attached |
Number of Cars | 2 |