Design Concepts
Sustainability through Durability: sturdy, long-lived structural materials
- No "temporary" throwaway building materials like drywall or asphalt shingles
- Keep existing concrete cottage structure - don’t tear down and throw away
- Insulated-core concrete walls on new construction: maximize durability and thermal mass
- Fireproof, bugproof structure adds longevity (minimize cavity spaces)
SMALL
- Small energy budget
- Durable materials become affordable if small
- Easy to maintain
"Core" concept: Small conditioned core, wrapped in less-frequently used semi-conditioned layer (these support spaces do not require the comfort level of primary living spaces)
Maximize winter passive solar, and provide year-round thermal mass heat buffering via concrete; winter sun penetrates glazed southern exposure to core living space for psychological and physical comfort
Safely "abandonable" "cabin-style":
- Plumbing confined to one corner
- easily drainable pipes
- heat small plumbing corner redundantly for safety
- Heat sources for freeze-proofing, independent of electricity:
- Passive solar
- Non-electric natural gas space heater in critical plumbing space
- Plumbing confined to one corner
Senior Friendly (single story, easy access, including for wheeled ambulance cot)
Minimize decorative layers: the durable structure itself provides interior and exterior surfaces