Paso Robles Wine Country Residence
Passive Solar Straw Bale Residence
Semmes and Co. Builders
photos by BJ Semmes
GREEN BUILDING FEATURES INCLUDE:
-Passive solar design for natural ventilation, passive heating and cooling and daylighting.
-Straw bale construction to conserve resources and divert waste.
-Native & drought tolerant landscape with preservation of existing coastal oak woodland.
Client: Individual
Completion: March 2002
Project Type: Custom Residential
Architects: Ken Haggard, Polly Cooper
Exterior Design
Exposed concrete floors throughout and thick plaster walls keep this groovy straw bale home comfy year-round. The use of locally-harvested wood perfectly complements this site, home of the largest Cypress tree in the San Luis Obispo County and the place of origin for the stones used at the Madonna Inn. A great deal of care was used in the process to preserve the 100-year-old plum tree in the entry that was and still is propped-up by an old piece of barn wood.
Interior Design
The passive solar design is heated when needed by a fireplace and skylights with shades that mechanically react to heat, allowing them to open for heating and to close for cooling.
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We would love to talk to you about your project and discuss sustainable options to meet your needs.