Compact
and efficient 2200 square foot home. Open floor plan with living and dining
walls being glass from floor to ceiling and opening onto a wrap around deck
space. Floor tiles run under window mullions across deck expanding the living
space considerably. The upper floor ceiling continues to the outside deck
roof line with no beams visible. 8ft windows have top window mullions attached
to the ceiling.
Since
this house was designed for a climate with hot summers and cold winters, the
outside deck space is covered for summer shade, while on the ground floor
is a fireproof concrete furnace room housing a wood buring heater with hot
air ducts running through the floor joists to blow hot air into the upstairs
portion of the house. The wood fireplace in the living room is free standing
(suspended from the ceiling) and swivels - asthetically pleasing rather than
a major source of heat. The first floor furnace chimney runs up through the
living room corner behind the floating fire place. This furnace chimney is
double skinned with air vents in the double skin allowing chimney heat to
escape into the living room.
Views
of mountains and lake are to the north and primarily visible from the dining
room, deck and kitchen - hence the glass wall in the dining room and glass
rail on the north side of the deck.
The
stairwell landing features small one foot square windows visible from the
living area. For additional light a 4 foot square skylight is positioned above
the stairs.
The
double garage has a 16 ft wide roll-up door and there are two 3ft by 5ft high
windows in the garage side.
The
front door is recessed (2 ft) and has glass blocks next to it to provide light
in the entrance.
Notice
living and dining window bottom mullions are caulked to the floor tiles that
run through to the deck side parapets - visually expands the living space.
The
kitchen windows (18" high) run from counter tops to bottom of upper kitchen
cabinets, allowing for plenty of upper cupboard space and interesting views
from the within the kitchen.
The
one foot square stair landing windows provide interesting views and add a
noticeable feature to the otherwise rather box-like house.
First
Floor: Walk through while following along on the plans below. Entrance from
covered porch with glass block panel next to front door. Notice space for
bench next to entrance closet - for those who have to sit while fastening
shoes - shoe storage under bench. Across from entrance closet are built-in
shelves for car keys etc. Washer and drier are located in a deep closet, under
a counter with wrap around shelving above. The space before mounting the stairs
serves as a laundry room, with broom closet under the stairs.
The
small ante-room before entering bed#2 or the bathroom serves to make bed#2
ensuite for visitors. All windows are mounted 6 inches outside perimeter walls,
providing deep window sills. The bathroom off bed#1 has a wide tub/shower
with hinged glass panel that eliminates the need for a shower curtain.
Notice
the concrete block walls making the furnace room fireproof. Hot air ducts
in the garage closet ceiling distribute hot air through floor joists to various
locations on the second floor. In-line duct fans will move the hot air around.
Electric base-board heaters will provide heat when the furnace is not in use.
Second
Floor: Walk through - 4ft square skylight provides light for stairs and laundry
room/entrance. The 'wow' effect when arriving at the top of the stairs is
the view through all those glass wall panels - emphasised by the ceiling running
through to the outside perimeter and the floor tiles running under the widow
mullions. There are built-in shelves backing onto the fridge - place for charging
mobiles etc. The kitchen island has a rounded cantilevered counter for sitting
at on stools. Out on the deck there's a deep closet backing onto the study
for deck furniture storage.
The
study could be used as a third bedroom if necessary - with private access
to the bathroom via the ante-chamber. Notice the built-in bookcase in the
study backing onto the living room wall. This wall in the living room provides
space for entertainment modules - TV and sound systems.
Picture
of suspended fireplace for living room in front of furnace room chimney.
