To take a systems approach to building in 2010 for me, means putting all functions under one roof. It means that for the first time, two home businesses [B&B and custom one-off cabinetry will be housed under the same roof.
In the spring of 2010 with the red tape snapped, cut and recycled, I was back in the trenches readying for foundation walls. We chose ICF (Integrated Concrete Foundation) because:
Integral rows of rebar at each block level. Notice the cast in place dovetails for the concrete grab.
A. ICF was fast and quite slick.
B. The insulation was built in. With the Nudera brand my concrete contractor uses, there are dovetails cast into the extrusion, which draws the styrofoam right beside the concrete. He also likes the lime green colour as for him, it’s easier on the eyes in bright sunlight.
“You are having far too much fun!” from Mellissa of my Facebook fan club (:>). Thanks also to NS Power for allowing me to use a maple centre post for this electrical temporary structure.
C. I can bond a second layer of R10 to the outside and get a wall that is R20 on the outside, to ameliorate cold air lowering the temperature of the pad.
D. It is unnecessary to use tar to waterproof the foundation wall.
After the walls were poured, it was time to make a decision about heating the joint. I chose *not* to supply the house with furnace nor hydronic in-floor heating.
Forest backdrop at 87M above sea level on the south side of the North Mountain.
Building a new home and speaking with other builders is like having a baby and listening to a former mother. Almost like belly buttons are like opinions, everyone has them. Almost!
Keep the deer flies, black flies and skitters away. Thanks Freda of Fritz
My thoughts went like this:
A) The house already has a heat distribution system, vide, the HRV, heat recovery ventilator.
B) As jayöh’s knowledge about the German passivhaus standard grew, http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/passivhaus-beginners?page=1 he realized that many of these buildings are constructed like Thermos bottles. They do not have a central supply of heat. These passivhaus buildings rely on heat from appliances, thermal mass, cooking and the body heat of humans. The idea was pioneered in Germany around 1995.
Building site beyond dump truck.
C) There would be extensive use of thermal mass utilized within, as double layers of gypsum (drywall) would be employed.
One of the many hats for jayöh. I allowed Husqvarna to brand me . . . yet still, I missed my Stihl!
D) There will be active systems like domestic hot water, DHW from a flat plate collector and a few PV photo voltaic panels would be arranged to capture free energy from the sun.
E) Put all together within a system, this is what makes this house bleeding edge. We don’t know how well it will perform and there are scant examples of this kind of construction here in the environs.
Poplar cut for 40
F) jayöh did get a second heat loss calculation from Aria Brands that manufacture the Lifebreath HRV. jayöh was informed that ‘some’ of these features have been done before in Canada. All I needed was a 3 kW electric heater implanted in the return air of the HRV.
sewer drain and electrical inlet for DHW flat plate collector
I Am John Ötvös, aka jayöh.
12 Responses to “Let the Games Commence 2009/2010”
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Bob & Crys says:
God bless you, John! How do you make time to work on this home and keep up with your blog? It’s wonderful to follow your efforts on this little bit of heaven. We look forward to staying at this incredible B&B when it’s ready…ha, I just hope we can afford it!
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greenbldg says:
As far as keeping up with the blog, I await the rain days. We certainly get them here ‘out’ in the Atlantic . . . so to speak. Sorry for not having the index in a calendar chronology. More work needed. Stay tuned.
blessings, jayoh
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Julia S says:
Wow, John this is fab! Great work and very inspiring to see it all – and the journey that you’re on. I salute you, my dear!
Best, Julia-
Julia, this thing we call being human is *indeed* quite a journey.
blessings, jayoh
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