Blog #20 - LEGP Project Goals and Matysiak Family Architectural Program Guidelines

Three Project Goals

The drawing shows how our first goal of sufficiency, and our second goal of sustainability, give rise to our third goal of demonstration and transformation. While the work of this thesis project is primarily concerned with the third goal, this visual makes it clear that the success of demonstration and transformation rests squarely on the solid footing of the first two goals.

Matysiak/Matishak Architectural Program

General

Qualities

· Beauty, sustainability, comfort, ecology

· Warm, inspirational, sensuous, alluring

· Great diversity of indoor and outdoor spaces

· Rooms as separate shelters containing their own functions

· Neat and orderly minimizing clutter and busyness

· Showing love and pride for our home

Materials/Systems/Forms

· Natural building of compact spaces

· Adobe brick construction with straw and wool insulation

· One story ground level with 8-12 foot ceilings

· Composting outdoor toilets and greywater systems

· Handcrafted of native materials and salvaged fixtures

· Earthen finishes with wood accents

· Full solar access through operable windows

· ~ 1600 square feet total indoor living space

Utilities

· Heating: full passive solar with woodstove backup

· Water: roof catchment system with cisterns

· Hot water: solar thermal tubing

· Electric: roof integrated solar panels

· Ventilation: open doors and windows

· Fire protection: earthen building

Climate

· Strong solar gain year around

· Seasonally strong winds

· Intense summer sunlight

· Especially cold winter nights

Timing/Budget

· We will start when we secure land

· Ideal site has old adobe in need of restoration

· Live on site one year before building new structure

· We will be our own builders, adding on little by little

· Affordable – no mortgage or building loans required