Sustainable Family Home
RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS: • SOLAR PV: 3.5kW photovoltaic array (20)-175 Watt panels • SOLAR THERMAL: (3)Heliodyne Flat Plate collectors w/238 gallon, dual-stage storage tank and 200 kBTU/HR backup boiler. • GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP: (9)-300ft deep wells with dual pumps providing both heating and cooling. • PASSIVE SOLAR: 9% South Glazing Ratio, <3% at East & West • Thermal Mass: Interior stonework and 1-1/2" gypcrete floors. INDOOR AIR QUAILTY/HEALTH INTERIORS. • Whole-house fan plus (8)-variable speed exhaust fans with occupancy sensors. • Low VOC Cabinetry, Carpeting, and Finishes, Sealed building envelope to minimize air leakage. RENEWABLE MATERIALS: • Reclaimed wood siding and flooring. read more | ||||||
We built a home in the Lahontan Community in 2002-2003 that was designed by Kurt. We had already experienced a home designed by Kurt in Tahoe Donner that we had purchased earlier. Our satisfaction with the Tahoe Donner home was the reason we went to MWA for the Lahontan design. Having had some experience living in the Truckee area, we had some specific needs that we wished to be addressed for the Lahontan design. We articulated these needs in the form of a four page memorandum that we handed to Kurt when we sat down to discuss the project. Kurt took us to some completed homes that he had designed to help us visualize some ideas.
A couple of months later we were told that the draft plans were completed and ready for our review. We were delighted when we found that Kurt had found a way to address all of our needs. From our point of view the design was perfect. Moreover, Kurt had done this while taking maximum advantage of the attributes of the building site: the view of Lookout Mountain, the beautiful meadow and wildlife refuge behind the house and the lovely grove of Aspen trees on the property. We have lived in the home for 4 years and continue to be delighted with the design.
We found working with MWA to be easy and efficient. The communications were excellent every step of the way. Email was used to facilitate communications as we lived in the Bay area while the home was being built.
Overall, we found Kurt and MWA to be very responsive to our needs and very efficient to work with. The project was completed on budget and the architectural design costs were very reasonable.
-- Charlotte and George Hawley
A couple of months later we were told that the draft plans were completed and ready for our review. We were delighted when we found that Kurt had found a way to address all of our needs. From our point of view the design was perfect. Moreover, Kurt had done this while taking maximum advantage of the attributes of the building site: the view of Lookout Mountain, the beautiful meadow and wildlife refuge behind the house and the lovely grove of Aspen trees on the property. We have lived in the home for 4 years and continue to be delighted with the design.
We found working with MWA to be easy and efficient. The communications were excellent every step of the way. Email was used to facilitate communications as we lived in the Bay area while the home was being built.
Overall, we found Kurt and MWA to be very responsive to our needs and very efficient to work with. The project was completed on budget and the architectural design costs were very reasonable.
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