OFF-THE-GRID RESIDENCE

Our client,  a young family of four, want to build a sustainable home on St. Joseph Island.  

The best way to save energy, is not to use energy in the first place and hence the building envelope is simple and insulated to an extreme degree. Windows are south facing, triple glazed, low e argon filled units and are placed strategically to maximize solar gain and views. 

Materials used are simple and functional. The floor and the interior bearing walls are concrete to act as a solar mass to minimize temperature fluctuation and store heat.  The concrete floors are polished, with no secondary finishes and no off gassing plastics such as found in carpets and plywood are to be used.

They will have a ground mounted solar system, c/w battery and inverters, and utilize minimum external energy sources.