Rebecca F. Bundy, Design for Sustainable Living, LLC

Hailey, Idaho: Garage & Apartment, Passive Solar, under construction 2007

The city of Hailey supports creation of affordable housing by allowing construction of accessory dwelling units on lots in the old center of town.  This client owns an original old home that had no garage.  This project created a three bay garage/shop with a one bedroom apartment above.

 

The passive solar design of the apartment allows in winter sun through large south-facing windows.  The eaves are designed to shade the windows in the heat of summer.  North and west facing windows are few and small.  Thermal mass for heat storage is provided by 3” thick finished, stained concrete floors.  The passive solar heating works so well, the client says he regrets installing the rarely-used radiant floor heat!

 

The foundation was formed with Logix ICF’s, providing superior perimeter insulation.  The windows are Pella Energy Star.  Hardel plywood siding, applied to look like board and batten, is stained with Lifetime, a non-toxic product that will silver with age.

 

The upper roof is oriented for eventual solar panels, both for domestic hot water and electricity production.  The galvanized metal will last over 50 years and provides fire resistance in an area prone to summer wildfire.  It also reflects away radiant heat in summer.  Trusses make the roof inexpensive and easy to vent with the cupola providing a chimney effect for exiting air.  Shed roofs over garage and man-doors provide shelter when entering the structure.