It is stunning to hear about and see the transformation from an old farm house to a modern, efficient passive solar house. Yes, it is the same house! (Tour the inside of the passive solar house.)
From Farmhouse...
To Modern Passive Solar
The original house measured at approximately 700 square feet and was built in 1909.
In the process of converting the house, they first took off the front porch and readied the area to pour a slab.
They added a brick wall for thermal mass and poured a slab of concrete for even more thermal mass.
They tore the roof off the house and built a window wall onto the existing house that faces to the south.
The back north facing wall was insulated, with insulation blown into the cavities of the house. A second story was added to the whole structure.
Clerestory windows were added to the south facing top portion. (The tree will be going soon too, since it blocks southern gain.)
Siding was added to protect the outside of the structure.
Amazingly, this transformation happened in 1 month. The owner-builder was a teacher and completed this portion with the help of the shop teacher and three others. The remainder of the finish work was completed over 2 years.
The house at it currently is today.
The house is an efficient passive solar house, enjoyed by its occupant-builders.
This is part 1 of a 2 part series. In part 2 we tour the inside the passive solar house to see its cool features.
The Thomas’ house
Designer / Builder – Jim and Nancy Thomas
Time – Main conversion show above – 1 month, Inside finished in 2 years
Square Footage – 2430
