What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?
Starting with the orientation to the South the house is passive solar. Round buildings are the oldest shape for homes. They are more energy efficient and withstand winds with less stress then straight walls. Wind just flows around them.
The great room with 2 - 8’tall glass doors, 2 very large windows and adobe floor, benefit from the captured heat. A rocked and walled terrace wraps around the side, holds the heat and returns it back to the house throughout the night. (It also allows us to grow lettuces in winter and roses in summer). The straw bale walls have a thermal brix of 45 with no leakage due to the design and care given to building. It is super insulated. All glass window and doors are made by Eagle and are low E4 that filters out the UV rays, reduces sound penetration, cuts energy bills up to 25% and has a patented method for sealing which gives them a 20 year warranty. All window and doors except for bathrooms and front door are screened allowing cross ventilation. They are wood framed with metal clad exteriors requiring no exterior maintenance. Five ceiling fans throughout the house move air around equalizing the temperature, reducing heat in summer, increasing heat in winter. All windows and straw bales were sourced locally, reducing the carbon footprint, ecco friendly, energy efficient and environmentally friendly. The insulation in the roof is R 70. Straw is an annually renewable material and the wood framing, windows and doors are also a renewable product. The straw walls breathe and absorb and release moisture from the air (no more steamed up windows or mirrors). Radiant heated floors with a backup of 4 energy efficient convection heaters heat the house. No fans, no motors, no hot spots, no cold spots no hot heaters to burn your curtains or your children. Our water is catchment with 8,000 gallons storage and reliable, affordable, local hauling available when needed. Every possible surface catches water and gravity feeds if possible. Very energy efficient.Property Description
The property slopes to the south east. Temperate in nature, it receives the warmth of the early morning light. Generously populated with Gamble Oaks, Ponderosa Pines, Pinon Pines and Juniper, protected from the harsh summer sun by the mesa to the west, it is perfect for passive solar building. The house is oriented to the south with large windows on the south and SE, 8’tall glass doors on the SE and SW which open onto the walled and rocked terrace and give ample light to the great room. Under each window has a builtin banquet, the ceilings are 10’ high giving the room and open airy feeling.
The house is post and beam construction with straw bale infill. Built to New Mexico code, inspected and permitted. The bale walls accumulate heat and hold it well into the following morning aided by the stone floor on the walled and gated terrace.
A fireplace on the north wall of the great room needs only a door to become a stove with the ability to heat the house. The kitchen is all electric with stainless steel appliances, glass top stove and dishwasher. All are energy efficient. Maple cabinets and custom lighting assure plenty of light on the work space.
The front door is 1 ¾” solid wood, hand carved and opens into a hall with vigas salvaged from a fire near Taos and polished to perfection before mounting on the ceiling.
Custom lighting throughout the house assures adequate task lighting without harsh down light. Multiple directional lighting throughout the house prevents facial shadows and highlights art.
The hall is generously sized with a sky light, ceiling fan, multiple storage rooms and stacked laundry closet. Opening off the hall, the office has a view of the steps leading to the front door , then the guest room with a view of the mesa and the Mexican tiled guest bath, with tub shower which always enchants and delights. The generous sized master bedroom allows views of the sunrise and the forest as well as the extinct volcanos to the east. In the bath, a large stone tiled shower and 12’ long stone tiled vanity with 2 wash basins and 3 tiers of drawers looks out through a glass door to a secluded garden.
Below the terrace are the oganic sustainable gardens. A seasonal covered straw bale tomato house and a 20’ round fenced vegetable garden provide food for the household and friends.
Water for these gardens is sourced from catchment, housed in 2 storage tanks and gravity fed to the beds. The terrace gardens are watered with grey water.
Most often heard comments about the house, “it’s so quiet!”, “I love all the natural Light!”, love all the colors” and in summer “you have the AC on!”.
The house was designed by an artist/designer/writer who also loves to cook. It is a joy to live in!Neighborhood Description
Timberlake Ranch land Owners Association is the best kept secret in new Mexico. It is managed by an elected board of volunteers who have improved the roads (we own our own road repair and maintenance equipment), beautifully restored the ranch house that serves as a library and meeting place with a great kitchen capable of feeding 100 people. You can be as active or private as you wish. There is no hunting or shooting on the ranch.Market Area
The village of Ramah, just West on #53 offers a great new Organic Grocery Store, open 7 days a week. A Post office, a Café, an Auto Repair shop and a Dollar store. 5 minutes east on #53 is a gas station/convenience store and 10 minutes further East is El Morrow. The Ancient Way Café, Inscription Rock Trading Post and Coffee Bar, El Morrow Feed and Fuel (a general store). The Old School Gallery which also acts as a community center and houses Yoga, Tai Chi, QiGong and assorted classes as well.School District
Ramah Elementary school opened its doors in 2018. It is 15 minutes away from the house.
Ramah High School also houses the Junior High. It is approx. 10 years old and is also 15 minutes away.Community
The community is multi-faceted and multi-talented. There is a sense of co-operation and generosity of spirit. Many of the classes are free, gifts to the community. New Galleries are opening The grocery store in Ramah is new and owned by an award winning Chef. Plans are underway for another eating establishment and more B and B’s are opening up. This is a growing place.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 | Electric Radiant |
| Cooling System | Passive Cooling |
| Ventilation System | Other |
| Whole House Filtration | None |
| Whole House Vacuum | no |
Energy & Water
| Water System | Rain Water Collection |
| Wastewater System | Septic System |
Construction Information
| Construction Type | Straw bale |
| Exterior Finish | Masonry |
| Interior Finish | Cement Plaster |
| Interior Paint | Low VOC |
| Floor Material | Concrete |
| Roof Material | Metal |
| Window Material | Metal Dual Glazed |
| Insulation Material | Cotton Batt |
Garage / Car Port
| Garage / Carport | yes |
| Garage Type | carport_detached |
| Number of Cars | 2 |
