What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?
1992 original construction is straw bale infill (R40) with structurally engineered post and beam support, metal roof, stucco exterior. 2006 addition is 2 x 6 stick built with insulation values of R30 walls and ceiling. Pretty seamless joining of the two, so that you don't distinguish one from the other. Finishes all no or low VOC. Passive solar, on-demand hot water heater, propane Rennai wall heater back up.Property Description
Enjoy the retreat quality of this straw bale, custom built private and beautiful home from the vantage point of Castle Valley, where you are surrounded by stunningly dramatic views of red rock canyon country: Castleton Tower, Arches National Park, Porcupine Rim and the 12,000 ft peaks of the La Sal Mountains.
Home Features: Custom finishes throughout: porcelain tile floors, artisan plaster interior walls; T & G pine ceiling; very well-designed custom kitchen and cabinets w/ granite countertops & island, beautiful enameled farm sink; new Energy Star appliances (slide-in propane range & exterior vented hood; Kenmore refrigerator with bottom freezer; Maytag front-load washer, evaporative cooler), tasteful lighting; efficient propane wall heater back-up to passive solar gain; on-demand hot water heater; excellent insulation; extremely low energy use.
An attractive pergola frames the entrance via Trex decking. Three private patios for star-gazing, bird watching or lounging. Surrounded by Native plantings and selectively placed, established shade tress; all plantings maintained on automatic timer, drip irrigation system and include an Organic vegetable garden and mature fruit trees. Good, stable water well; septic system; access via graveled no-maintenance driveway. Solid deer fencing protects landscaping. Attractive storage building can easily convert to studio/workshop or guest quarters.
Designed for easy expansion without disruption of existing home if you want to add more bedrooms and/or another bathroom.
House is sited to take advantage of the views and maintain privacy; most of the adjoining lots have been built out, thus privacy should remain a quality of the property over time.
Neighborhood Description
The rural town of Castle Valley is a spectacularly sited, secluded valley about 2 miles from the Colorado River. Nonetheless, high speed DSL and satellite services are available. Full time valley population is about 300, with other folks who come and go as part time residents/second home owners. Eclectic, interesting and active population of neighborly, yet privacy-respecting individuals. Small town community with minimalist - but pro-active, planning and zoning. Existing regulations protect the watershed, limiting lot sizes to minimums of 5 acres up to 40 acres with only one dwelling each, noise and night sky regulations in place. Community/town lot and building for Town business also holds a well-stocked library, the new fire station and outdoor recreational facilities for community gatherings, farmer's market, The Annual Gourd Festival, fundraisers, etc.
Less than 10 minutes - or a 15-20 minute bike ride - takes you down to the river where you can choose to dine at one of two nice resorts. Or you can go to the local's beach on the river and have it all to yourself, or find that you've entered a neighborhood party - and that you're invited even if you didn't know about it in advance - Valley style.Market Area
Castle Valley is a scenic 30 minute drive from Moab, Utah where you can shop at a great natural foods store or the conventional market that's pretty good too; population over 7,000. Active arts and music scene, as well as climbing, hiking, mountain biking and river rafting. Also 4 x 4 activities. (Google Moab for more info). An hour and 1/2 drive gets you to Grand Junction, CO - which offers the nearest commercial airport service and numerous mall shopping zones (far enough away that you can choose when to experience commercialism rather than live in the middle of it).School District
Community
Castle Valley River RanchosLocation of Home or Land
Rural
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 | Solar - Passive |
| Cooling System | Swamp Cooler |
| Ventilation System | Part of Heating System |
| 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 | Stucco |
| Interior Finish | Earthen Plaster |
| Interior Paint | Low VOC |
| Floor Material | Concrete |
| Roof Material | Metal |
| Window Material | Metal Dual Glazed |
| Insulation Material | Fiberglass |
Garage / Car Port
| Garage / Carport | no |
| Garage Type | attached |
| Number of Cars | 3 |
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