FEATURES OF CONCORD OASIS ECOHOUSING STRAW BALE HOME
AT 994 A OAK GROVE ROAD, CONCORD, CA
for more information, contact:
Mark DeMaio, PE
concord@ecohousing.org
websites under construction:
www.crosswinds.net\~coasisview photos at:
http://communities.msn.com/ecohouse/newspaper article(s):
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/12/29/HO110081.DTL925-687-2560(site/ message), 530-694-9501(weekday eves)
offered at $512,000 cooperating with agents.
General
-Excellent transportation access includes a bus stop (direct to BART) less than 100 yards from the site, with BART stations located 2-3 miles away.
-
Located on a quiet private drive accessible infill lot with rural feel and gravel driveway prepped for paving stones.-Designed and constructed by and under the direction of a Registered Civil Engineer and former Norcal Chapter Board Member of
Architects, Designers, and Planners for Social Responsibility demonstrating Natural, Healthy, and Environmentally Responsible Construction.-
Efficient building footprint utilization of lot area, all potential second story area developed.-Research quality
straw bale construction. Exterior of building features thick massive walls with rounded corners.-Voluminous 2800 sq. ft. flexible floor plan (
first floor, second floor) design incorporates high 10 foot + ceilings downstairs and cathedral ceilings upstairs for spaciousness. Design inspired by COHOUSING common space and Feng Shui design principles provides for changing personal, family and community living arrangements. Approximately 900 square foot of decks, including a nearly 725 sf living roof deck.-Extensive utilization of quality high-recycled content materials throughout minimizes impact on external environmental resources while providing a high-end quality product.
Foundation
-Unique bearing pad and grade beam stem wall over drain trench perimeter footing system provides for efficient use of concrete for structural support. Recycled polystyrene/ cement lightweight block system (
RASTRA Block from Integrid Building Systems) installed as permanent forms provides slab edge insulation and minimizes concrete while adapting to additional width of bale walls.-Radiant heating circulation system piping, including embedded tubing in downstairs rammed earth floor system, prepped for future improvement. Insulative sealed radiant/ moisture barrier by
R-foil provides a thermal break.Framing
-Post and Beam framing left exposed where possible to enhance aesthetic appeal.
-High quality recycled and sustainably certified lumber utilized where possible
-Ammonia based pressure treated bottom plates are utilized instead of extremely carcinogenic arsenic pressure treated lumber.
-Certified sustainable redwood trim from
ECOTIMBER, efficient use of weather resistant woods requiring minimal future painting and staining.-10 foot high ceilings on first floor and cathedral ceilings on second floor add to the creation of a feeling of this structure as a special space. Staggered stud internal wall framing minimizes sound transmission through walls.
Roofing
-White
Stevens Roofing Systems thermoset EP single-ply roofing system significantly reduces solar heat gain and incremental impacts on global warming/ heat island effects while not impacting runoff water quality.Windows/doors
-Extensive windows without dividers in most cases helps to "bring the outside in".
-Window seats and deep ledges created by straw bales and windows provide exciting reveal details.
-Garden window in workshop/ garden shop portion of garage.
-Primarily quality wood and/or vinyl clad wood (including Marvin, Anderson and Cobb) windows throughout.
-French doors upstairs for maximum ventilation.
-Numerous remote operable clerestory windows act to remove rising heat in summer, minimizing cooling requirements.
Insulation
-16 inch thick straw bales yield superinsulated, nearly soundproof R-45 walls. Low permeability cellulose insulation cavity filled roof joists yields a true R-30+ in vaulted ceilings. Material is a good sound insulator.
Interior wall
-Use of straw panel in upstairs walls maintains the straw bale character of the building in visually attractive manner. Downstairs walls include Light Clay Straw Construction.
-Interior surfaces of straw bale walls and light clay walls feature a combination of earthen and lime finish plasters.
-Sound proofing treatments, installed in most internal wall locations, consisting of straw flake or light clay stuffed staggered stud 6" walls provides solidness feeling, mass, and quietness.
Electrical
-metal conduit and twisted 4-wire cable used extensively to minimize occupant EMF exposure.
-Solar electric intertie system prepped for future improvement.
-Multiple breaker panels allow close proximity to each area for disconnect means.
-Prewired to allow automation of semi-passive (fans, clerestory windows, etc.) space conditioning equipment.
-High efficiency fluorescent lighting fixtures utilized throughout.
Plumbing
-Structure preplumbed for greywater separation; lavatory sinks, showers and washing machine (greywater) separated from toilets, kitchen, and garage sink (blackwater) with exterior valving for future installation of exterior greywater processing equipment for non-contact watering.
-Solar hot water preheat system with instantaneous tankless gas hot water heater
-3 baths, one with Jacuzzi
-Preplumbed for under counter reverse osmosis system to treat kitchen and refrigerator water
Tile
-All tile be installed with protein enhanced grouts and thin set were used instead of latex additives throughout.
Finishing/detailing
-Thick walled adobe/ Sante Fe motif throughout with undulating breathable interior surfaces. Non toxic paints and caulks used throughout.