When the Davis's met designer John Robbins during the 1990 AEA
Home Tour, they wanted an efficient and solar home, but they also
had a couple special concerns. First, their property (located
in North East Cincinnati), sloped "unsolarly" down to
the northeast, front to rear. Second, besides hay-fever like allergies,
Barb had a history of reactions to several toxins like urea formaldehyde
in common homebuilding materials. Good air quality was a must!
Robbins was recognized for this home's design and its documentation
with the 1994 Energy Engineer of the Year award from the Association
of Engineers SW Ohio Chapter.
The design evolved to stretch a passive solar room across the entire house front and connect it to all areas on both levels. With its floor midway between the two levels, the sunroom is a collector, distributor, and storer of solar heat and light. And, it is also a buffer air space when entering from the porch or the garage. The entry, the sunspace, and most of the house's west side are sheltered by the unconditioned garage and workshop. There is an upper level deck and walkout lower level patio space on the rear of the house.
Efforts to minimize indoor polution included laying no carpets. Material suspected to outgas toxins were carefully sealed. Special stains and paints were used. And, after completion, the home was forced through experimental "bake-out" periods of higher-than-normal temperatures to speed up outgassing, then flush cycled with outside air ventilation.
Construction was accomplished by homebuilder Paul Koppana. Special building features include: permanent wood foundation and below grade floors, foam-core panel walls, high-heel scizzors trusses with blown insulation and rip-resistant polyethylene vapor barrier, low-UV glass, brick and concrete heat storage in the sunspace, high efficiency heat pump and air clearner, heat recovery exhaust ventilation, solar water heating, fluorescent lights, light-colored brick veneer, and roof shingles plus a landscaped berm against the sunspace south wall.
First full year utility bill (1992) totaled, $986.71