Greenhouse House?

[moonwolf]

Consider this idea:

A basement that is finished for a living space with rooms, kitchen, etc. Under the floor is circulating radiant heat from a wood bolier funace outside. The hot water also is heated by the wood furnace. A heat exchange in the furnace.
Either solar or wind generator to get off the grid , or hook up to grid as it's already in a building next door (or use to recharge batteries on dull days if using solar).
But here is the other idea to the indoor basement living space. Atop the basement, build a greenhouse. The question to consider is flooring of the greenhouse that is the roof of the basement?

crazy???

[snoozy]

You'd fry. Even in Canada. Think of how hot a car can get in the sun with the windows rolled up. You'd spend a lot of time adjusting the curtains, too.

Just build a strawbale house with commonsense awareness of solar features and call it good.

[moonwolf]

Originally Posted by snoozy

You'd fry. Even in Canada. Think of how hot a car can get in the sun with the windows rolled up. You'd spend a lot of time adjusting the curtains, too.

.

No. The greenouse would be conventional with the proper ventilation equipment.It would have insulated (air space) double wall. No curtains.
Basement would also have ventilation.

[ellebeaux]

After living in a northfacing walkout basement apartment for the past 4 years, I'm telling you: you don't want to live in a basement!!!! I think the lack of natural light definitely is affecting my health and happiness. Of course, I also work in a lab under fluorescent lights all day.

That was one of the main points that attracted me to this new house - the ad said 'lots of light and windows'. I move in less than 4 weeks. I can't wait!!!!

[moonwolf]

Originally Posted by ellebeaux

After living in a northfacing walkout basement apartment for the past 4 years, I'm telling you: you don't want to live in a basement!!!! I think the lack of natural light definitely is affecting my health and happiness. Of course, I also work in a lab under fluorescent lights all day.

That was one of the main points that attracted me to this new house - the ad said 'lots of light and windows'. I move in less than 4 weeks. I can't wait!!!!

I see what your saying, but the difference here is that the greenhouse above would have tons of light. In fact, it would probably be the place to hang out most of the time for the 'living space'. ??? hmmm??

[snoozy]

I think you could accomplish much of the same with a semi-underground house cut ino the side of a hill with a wall of windows on the south side. What about snowloads?

Do be careful about throwing stones, too... :haha:

[whodunit]

I would have to wonder where all the water from the greenhouse would go. Wouldn't it eventually settle on the concrete floor/roof of your basement? I'm not an expert, but I've heard that water always wins. It will get into every opening, crack, etc. and leak through to the other side.

[woodsrunner]

If this link works you have to scroll down, there is a big blank at the top of the page.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/libra..._of_the_Future

[Gayle in KY]

That's an awesome idea, woodsrunner, the inner dome gives the house LOTS of light!

[moonwolf]

Originally Posted by woodsrunner

If this link works you have to scroll down, there is a big blank at the top of the page.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/libra..._of_the_Future

Thanks for posting that link. Excellent! I bookmarked it for future reference.
It's a very interesting concept.

[Mike in Ohio]

DW and I (I'm the one pushing the idea) are actually looking at the reverse. The location on our property where we eventually want to build a house is on a South facing slope overlooking our lake. I want to have a "basement" that has an height of 30 feet or so and the entire south wall will be glass with a slight diagonal glass roof. The upper level would be a stone and wood (logs?) single story house. This approach would allow DW to do greenhouse/indoor gardening year round.

Mike

[akmyilee]

Originally Posted by Mike in Ohio

DW and I (I'm the one pushing the idea) are actually looking at the reverse. The location on our property where we eventually want to build a house is on a South facing slope overlooking our lake. I want to have a "basement" that has an height of 30 feet or so and the entire south wall will be glass with a slight diagonal glass roof. The upper level would be a stone and wood (logs?) single story house. This approach would allow DW to do greenhouse/indoor gardening year round.

Mike

I don't really know how to put in a link but I think that this web site is what you are talking about.

It sounds really cool and we are looking at the very least using alot of these ideas.

http://www.thenaturalhome.com/index.html