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John and Leigh – Wilson Healthy House
Requirements for Phase 1
Attributes/Decisions
Site
- Hydro connection will be made by trench to be dug along the north
east perimeter of the property
- Driveway to curve as plotted on survey or as adjusted once house placement
on site has been made.
- Trees to be cut down for driveway will be re-used in construction
so logs must be placed in a good location for "drying".
- A Garden Pond which includes a bathing pond to be constructed on north
west side of property where current natural water shed exists. Solar
powered pump to be used for water circulation/waterfall. See pages 340-347
of "Living Spaces" books.
- House to be built on natural high ground towards the North East portion
of the property just south (about 100-150 feet in from the road on the
north) of the forest/trees
- Landscaping to be level with main floor on the North and South sides
of the house from the center of the house and to the east of center.
The landscaping will be made to gently slope from the center on the
north and south at ground floor level down to the basement level on
the west side of the house where a basement walk-out will allow for
exit from the house (solarium enclosed sliding glass door as an air
lock to be built)
- All landscaping in general to be as naturalized as possible especially
south of the south side of the house.
- An area for growing vegetables, herbs, and other food should be planned
for and located optimally for access from the kitchen but with ideal
soil, sun and other parameters considered.
- Planting of apple and citrus trees as well as wild raspberries and
strawberries to be planned and located.
- Rainwater harvesting system to be used for all landscape maintenance
requirements
House
- Ecological Design and Building principles to be adhered to for all
aspects of design, construction and operation.
- Straw-bale wall on north side
- Earth covered roof, natural vegetation on roof, cultivated pitched
roof, grass-roofed home (natural grasses)
- Extensive 6’x6’ triple glazed windows predominantly along south side
on both 1st and 2nd floors
- 3 x Fireplace/Wood burning stoves to be planned for (models of optimal
efficiency and minimal pollution to be selected). First to be located
in main Living Area. Second to be located in or near the Kitchen/Dining
area. Third to be located in the basement and located for optimal heating
during winter.
- Natural lighting to be used as much as possible to minimize lighting
requirements during the day.
- Rainwater harvesting system to be incorporated wherever possible
- Water conservation to be optimized for all appliances and fixtures
- If regulations allow, integrate a large built in composting toilet
system. See page 369 of "Living Spaces" book. This system
combines both organic kitchen and toilet waste. Garden waste composted
in a separate receptacle. If composting toilet is not permitted then
an integrated Garden Waste composting system should be integrated into
the kitchen separately.
- A root cellar/cold room will be used to minimize refrigeration requirements.
Optimally designed root cellar to be incorporated most likely on north
side of house near kitchen
- Appliances to be purchased will be highest efficiency models available
- Dish washer
- Stove top range
- Clothes washer
- Clothes dryer
- Computers – 4 x notebook models (low energy requirements + 1 low
energy printer)
- Refrigerator
- Microwave oven
- The kitchen should be U – shaped most likely with an island. A 4’
diameter round table will be placed near the window on the south side
of the kitchen for breakfasts and light meals. Bar stools and a counter
should be provided between the breakfast nook table and the kitchen.
- There will be 3 bathrooms. One in the Master Bedroom on the ground
floor (bath, shower, toilet and 2 sinks). Second on the ground floor
with a toilet and sink only. Third on the middle level or second floor
with a bath, shower, toilet and sink. Roughed in washroom (3-4 piece
in the basement)
- Mud room will provide access to the house from the north west side
of the house, lots of good storage will be provided, the laundry facilities
may be provided in this room. Access from the garage should be provided.
Space for 2 big dogs will be required to sleep.
- Garage for 2 cars and some storage space. Space to keep fire wood
may be near the garage.
- Main entranceway will be near the center of the house on the north
side. In order to create an airlock a glass solarium will be built out
from the front of the house. The air lock will be in the solarium so
that the lobby after the second door does not need to be air locked.
This air lock and front door arrangement will provide a layer of solarium
in order to provide light from the north without compromising the insulation
and sealing.
- 3 bedrooms will be located on the second floor all along the south
side of the house. Like on the ground floor each rooms south wall be
be dominated by 6’x6’ triple glazed windows.
- The fourth bedroom…the Master bedroom will be on the ground floor.
Room for 2 large antique dressers, a small seating area (two chairs)
on the east side, two walk in closets (a 6’x6’ minimum and a 4’x6’)
and a bathroom.
- The basement should be predominantly open concept with a walk-out
to the west along the west wall towards the north. The basement will
be used as a play room and television viewing as well as occasional
spare bedroom for guests. Some storage space will be required. 9-foot
ceilings to be finished. A window should be located on the south side
of the basement near the west side to let in the sun light coming from
the south for natural lighting. This windows should come to meet ground
level as the landscape descends towards the walkout at basement level
on the west side of the house. A water cistern, composting toilet system,
electrical room, root cellar will require space in the basement.
- A central vacuum system should be built in.
- The Living/Family room will be located on the south west side of the
house. Simple sliding glass doors should be provided to separate this
area from the Work area to the north. Both the view to the south and
the west should be viewable through windows.
- The Dining room should be just west of the kitchen on the south side
of the house.
- The Work/Studio area will provide a space for working from home. Four
desks should be able to be accommodated along with book shelves, filing
space and good natural lighting. The view to the south should be available
even if the sliding glass doors are closed between the Work/Studio and
the Living/Family room.
- Total space for the house not to exceed 3000 square feet.
- Excellent natural ventilation to be built into the design.
- Natural passive solar heating to be optimized wherever possible.
- A green house will be built on the south east side with easy access
from the kitchen. Growing herbs and some vegetables in the winter can
be expected.
- Patios should be provided on the west side walkout from the basement
and near the green house and south east walkout near the kitchen for
morning breakfasts outside.
- Water supply to be provided by rain water. A secondary source in a
drill well may also be included.
- Electrical supply to be provided primarily by Photo Voltaic panels.
Solar water heating panels also may be considered. A wind power device
may also be integrated into the power systems. Back-up power and excess
power to be sold through the Ontario Power connection.
- Heating will be primarily through the radiant floor heating systems
and passive solar systems.
- Natural materials will be used to minimize potential indoor environment
hazards from synthetic materials.
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