Home Design Solstice

Solstice Home

Like all of Ms. Coleman's designs, Solstice was originally designed for a client who wanted an energy–efficient, passive solar home. You can build this house facing in whatever direction suits your needs, but if you're interested in building it as a passive solar home, please read the section below titled Passive Solar Info for specific information on orientation.

First Floor

The master bedroom has double French doors leading to a deck with an optional hot tub, and to a covered porch. It includes a sitting area and a large walk–in closet. The master bath has both a tub and a double shower, two sinks, and a private toilet. On the other side of the house, near the kitchen, there's a laundry room with a half bath, and a computer/mail nook.

The front porch leads to a space that can be either a large foyer or a small music room. It also functions as an airlock entry for cold winter days. As you enter the house, your eyes are drawn to the vaulted (rising from 9' at the exterior wall to 19') great room, and to the views provided all along the rear of the house. A centrally located fireplace in the great room also faces the dining area and the kitchen. The dining area is quite large, and a French door leads from it to a deck that runs nearly the length of the house. The kitchen is separated from the dining area by a breakfast bar. It shares the same view to the rear, has a window box below the windows, and it includes an island for extra counter space, as well as a pantry.

Solstice Home Design

Second Floor

There are two uniquely shaped bedrooms upstairs, each with its own window seat and eave closet. They share a full bathroom. Another room can be used for overnight guests, or as a place for your kids to play in. The loft area looks down into the great room, and it has lots of shelves and space for a computer nook.

Garage

The two car garage with a tractor, workshop, or greenhouse space connects directly to the home with a small covered stoop, which could be enclosed.

Passive Solar Info

To maximize its passive solar design, the front of the house should face north. The thermal mass is designed to be primarily in the tiled concrete slab floors, but with added stone or stucco interior walls, the house could still be made comfortable over a crawlspace or basement. The 35 pages of specifications that come with these plans (see Please Note below) will give your builder precise details on all the passive solar issues pertinent to the construction of this house.