I'm still here...but a building and design lull

A long absence from blogging.  I spent a week at Solar Power International at Dallas to learn some things for my likely next career.  Then I spent another week in Alabama for an Army conference.

Also have shifted/delayed/ some efforts on CasaArey.  Will add more later but we've recognized that moving forward not completely as easy as me hoped.

So...I'm still here.  Still designing and finding that right design/ building team.  I'll let you know when we get fully back into the swing of things!

The best and greatest value ideas from Solar decathlon (and Central Texas!)

I'm jealous that Passive House Jake is at this year's solar decathlon.  I visited it in years past when I was stationed at the Pentagon and it's really amazing what great, innovative ideas there are out there from our university students.

This one from the University of Maryland caught my eye and I believe it's in first place so far:

"Watershed" from this year's solar decathalon - nice ideas

This drought makes me realize we must use both rainwater and grey water as smartly as possible and as you can see, this house implements the necessary technologies.

Innovative, outside the box thinking is happening here in Central Texas, too.  This weekend was the start of back to back weekends of home tours, solar tours...this weekend was the local home tour.  Saw some wonderful homes but mostly what we anticipated - traditional.  Still, one home caught both Jen and my eye in Killeen:


 Relatively simple floorplan, with a loft/4th bedroom upstairs.  This minimizes the metal roofing total square footage.

I can't say we 100% loved this home but its interesting roof - relatively low angles likely with optimum solar panel angles made me realize that there is a way to design enough "breaks" in a roof line to make a modern, contemporary home interesting without being over the top in terms of the other homes in the neighborhood.

Nice mix of limestone, metal roof.  Interesting and ideas worth implementing in our home.

Finally...this is my idea of a great "outdoor room."  Great size to take advantage of the Texas climate (well not today - we broke a record with a 106 degrees :(

Next weekend  - the family is off to Austin to round out the ideas.  

Houzz - a great App to help us say "this is what we like"

I cam across Houzz while looking at another app (Flipboard) on my daughter's iPad.  Exploring and surfing begets more discovery, indeed.

This app is great because as we see photos that best show what we like from a design or architecture, we simply add the photo to our Idea Book with a caption if we desire.

This new button to your right links you to our Houzz profile where you can see those pics.

Houzz updates with new ideas all the time so I expect our Idea Book to expand so check back often.

I think this will help a lot as we try to describe what we like to others involved with our project.

Power Idea Weekends!

Two exciting weekends to firm up ideas, and narrow down the searches for builders for CasaArey.

Next weekend is the Parade of Home, hosted by the Central Texas Homebuilders Association.  This will be a great opportunity to find local builders.  I have had not one but two people tell me not to assume that Austin-based builders will cost more.  Indeed, one new homeowner pretty assuredly said he knew it was cheaper in many cases.  Still, I'd like to find out for myself and we do like the idea of a local builder who can oversee construction instead of dropping in from time to time.  I'll report following our visits.

The following weekend in Austin are two great, simultaneous events: The Hill Country Solar Tour



 and (not associated) the AIA Austin Homes Tour.  Click the pics for links to their sites.  I'm really excited about the latter weekend because there will be lots of fresh ideas and real-world applications of solar power.   We're pulling the mobile CasaArey (i.e. a travel trailer) down to Austin as the base camp for this weekend of exploring...

Saw the most interesting home (and person) in Salado yesterday

We had the most interesting and enjoyable visit/discovery yesterday.

Long story short for this blog...Passive House Jake told us about an old friend, Stephen, from Salado, who was an "artist / builder" (and I'll add to this shortly) who might possibly put Jake's Passive House ideas into action.

We do like the idea of a local builder who can be around to supervise progress and from Jake's descriptions of his house, I was intrigued.  A google earth search later, there was no doubt I found the right house so yesterday, I figured we'd drop by to introduce ourselves.

Ashley met us on the long driveway and was extremely gracious to allow us into their great home to wait for Stephen, but Stephen showed up right away and I've got to say, I was once again just fascinated talking to another advocate for sustainable, enduring building techniques.

I think it would be safe to say finding the equivalent of Stephen's house in Austin (and read the next blog entry for more on this) might not be terribly difficult, but to find this in Salado, Bell County Texas...what a find!  Rainwater collection via a 150 yard beautiful rock way system, use of corrugated steel, absolute perfection in its south orientation to maximize use of the sun, beautiful handmade furniture from an obviously experienced craftsman father.  I really had a great time and to Ashley - I'm sorry I took up so much of a precious weekend.  I hope Stephen was as excited about my project as we are.

Stephen and I exchanged emails and phone numbers as well as the address to this blog (which does continue to introduce me to people who can help us build this project).

So just as you know "Passive House Jake," I hope Stephen is comfortable with "Artist / Builder / Renaissance (ABR) Man Stephen."  ABR Stephen had such a great working, but demonstrated in action through his own home, knowledge of energy efficient, sustainable practices.  And was quick to say what he learned and would do over again - we like that and hope to work more with ABR Stephen in the future.

...and the wood ceiling will really look nice!

Heat Pump Hot Water Heater...who knew??

http://www.geappliances.com/videos-media/?video_uuid=ylz2ud48

Jen and I just finished meeting with Passive House Jake and he mentioned  he saw this in Austin.  We're seeing more and more of this today - treating the heating and cooling of the home as a "system" instead of using up electricity to perform discrete heating or cooling. Whether it's using warm air from an AC compressor to heat water, or this pump that uses the the air in a home (like that found in a summertime Texas home!) to heat the water.  The cool air expelled from the HPHWH can cool (or at least augment the cooling) of a home and in an uber-efficient home, every bit of helping with the cooling load can go a long way.

We like that Passive House Jake is up to speed with the latest and most innovative technologies to consider.  

Here is the link to the features and more of how it works:

http://www.geappliances.com/heat-pump-hot-water-heater/electric-water-heater-features.htm

Pics really are a 1000 words

How best to describe that I like an open kitchen that opens to a "somewhat less than full formal" dining room...well, a picture helps.

Found this while waiting at the hospital today.

Passive House Jake if you're reading, please add this to my house plan.  Good use of ceiling height changes to show different rooms.  But no fireplace necessary!

Views of the lot (and our first cut at a floorplan) as we walked it with Passiv Haus Jake - Picasa Web Albums

Drop Box - Scot Arey - Picasa Web Albums:

'via Blog this'

Views of the lot as we walked it with Passiv Haus Jake.  Our first meeting with a designer and I must say it was great to hear his passion for energy efficiency.

And here is the 1st floor plan concept we forwarded to Jake tonight.  Jen and I are not firmly set on this...we want the GREAT view to the lake, in a simple, open floor plan.  Just a rough layout using the Punch Home and Landscape software.

In case you're wondering...lots of technology experimentation tonight with the blog.

Meeting with Passive House Jake today

Couldn't resist taking the pic of the rising sun against the ridge...way in the distance are two homes.  Our lot is right between them.  Beautiful view from the Corps of Engineer land.

Oh by the way, today is my first day to report to the new assignment so exercise is over. Time to take a shower.

Excited to meet Jake who I referred to in the Passive House blog.

Finally met Dan and Karen and saw their wonderful home - THANK YOU

A great big "thank you" to the Cripe's for allowing me and my family to drive down and see their home in Round Rock, TX.  First thing I noticed on the drive down is that Texas has been doing some great interstate improvements and that there has been phenomenal growth - WOW!

What a wonderful couple, obviously passionate about their home and its green concepts (wrong words..."green applications" is better because they've put ideas into action).  Here are some impressions we got:

- "How much for the concrete floors?" I ask...Dan: "they're free."  I guess I always thought concrete floors were overlaid over the original foundation but Dan informed me that it's one and the same except more carefully laid, then covered during other construction phases.  There is a real cost-saver and like Dan says, we can always lay other things over the concrete later if desired.  Very nice.

- SPRAY FOAM!!!  I could have relaxed in their attic it was so comfortable.  I will definitely have that in our home.  We've already had three other homeowners and local builders advocate for spray foam so this seems like a no-brainer at this point.  I have heard 2x6 construction over 2x4 construction but Dan told me how his builder used 2x4 construction with more modern spacing to minimize thermal bridges and lower materiel costs.  Will have to think whether the extra 2 inch width is worth the cost...

- "Silestone" was a big hit with Karen (and Dan).  Add this to my list of things for Jen and I to look at - beautiful  durable.  When I asked Dan if he had anything he'd do differently, the thing that he said was "put Silestone in the bathroom."

- the metal roof is an investment for the longer term life-cycle costs.  Lasts forever, lower insurance cost...and with the PV solar panels, there is a roof that won't have to be replaced in 10-15 years requiring the panels to be taken down.  Smart.

- We're both fans of the "Not So Big House" concepts.  Build the house you need for your family and don't build extra spaces "just because."  Karen said she'd have gone with even less space if she could have.  another reminder to find a builder that is read and willing to help build the house for the Arey family, and not some slightly modified "standard template" they're comfortable with building.  The Cripes obviously love their home.

A great trip so thank you again Dan and Karen!  I look forward to getting you up to Harker Heights in the months ahead so you can see what we're up to.

NEXT TOPIC: finding the right builder...and Jen and my major effort over the next two weeks before I get back to work.  Already, we're getting a wide range of recommendations from folks on the Ridge.

PS: I loved the solar tubes, too.

Back from Afghanistan...time to get serious on this house now

I'll be back in Texas tomorrow after a beautiful drive through the Shenandoah Valley and to the southern end of the Appalachian Mtns.  In Vicksburg now and cross into Louisiana tomorrow for the long home stretch.

Passiv Haus in Central Texas

What might be more appropriate for a land based largely on German descent?  Passiv Haus design concepts have caught my eye during my off-duty reading but I wonder if they are applicable to the climate of Central Texas. My recollections of Germany as a young lieutenant are of cold, wet, dreary winters and relatively mild summers. My memories of Texas – confirmed by my wife’s present day reports from Harker Heights, are that Texas is just HOT! So today, I’ll go about a great article I found from the Passive House Institute’s website.
So about “Passive House.” A simple concept, before one adds all sorts of renewable gizmos, why not just make the house uber-airtight and energy efficient: “first, use less energy” is the mantra of the Passive House Institute of the United States. I like it. But don’t for a minute think they have a monopoly on this concept. The LEED certification and the Austin Green Building rating systems certainly apply the same concepts. The Austin checklist mandating no use of skylights is a great example – why open your well-sealed home to the heat of the Texas sun? But I’d say that the PH Institute’s laser-like focus on sealed walls makes it the de facto standard-bearer in this area.
So, let’s do some looking at this great article about passive house design. The PHIUS website has a fantastic page of linked articles but this one really caught my attention because it discusses how critical that a “tight” house is to attaining this efficiency. Check out this diagram and the R-ratings!

Some things really jump out to me:
1. Pay attention to the basics of construction – find a builder who does not jump right to solar panel discussion. Start with the basics: tell me how you build your walls?
2. Airtight homes need energy recovery ventilators – why re-cool or re-heat exchanged air from the outside. Put this on my list of things to research because I think it goes hand in hand with a tight house.
3. If…and a big if here…do I need a central heating system in a well designed Central Texas house? Or can a tight house, with central A/C use passive solar and individual room solutions to attain comfort during the winter? I don’t know enough about this yet so here’s another “to research” task.
4. Windows – both their U Rating and the sealing techniques will be critically important.
I see there is a gentleman in Temple who is certified in Passiv Haus techniques and I’ll call on him when I get back to Texas. And by the way, I’m about two weeks (11 days now!) from leaving Afghanistan. My replacement has arrived, he has taken over most of my duties, and now I’m finishing up some projects for my General. Yes, I am getting excited because a year (another one!) is a long time to be away from my three girls (for those counting, that’s one wife – Jen and my two daughters).
Next topic…send your suggestions in.  I’d love to hear them.  All the best, Scot

I'm still here!

Sorry for the lack of writing.  I've had some internet...deficiencies.  And, I've been away in Kandahar for a bit.  Now I know Texas is hot right now, but Kandahar is HOT.  106 degrees, but a dry heat!  But, dry heat really doesn't matter with 20-30 pounds of body armor and a helmet.  Still, I know there are so many Soldiers who day in, day out are carrying on in these conditions - absolutely amazing that young Americans choose to serve like they do. 

If you read the last blog, I think you'll see I'm nudging toward the Austin Energy Green Building Rating system...LEED just seems more complicated than it needs to be.

Oh by the way, I used to fly these...but this year's job allows me to be just a passenger...sigh.

Austin Energy Green Building rating or LEED???

Sorry for the delay since my last blog, but the internet here has been not so good. Whenever I catch myself about to complain about the internet and that I can’t make a Skype call, I remember that I’m in Kabul Afghanistan. Twenty years ago as a lieutenant in Desert Storm…no calls for five months. As a major in 2003 in Tikrit, Iraq…no call for first three months. Slow bandwidth or day to day interruptions just really aren’t than bad!

OK – what are we talking about today?? This has been on my mind for last several weeks and that is what are the differences and similarities between the Austin Energy Green Building checklist and the LEED checklist. I’ve gone through both quickly and here are my initial findings:

1. The AEGB checklist is simpler and more user friendly. I find the LEED for Homes categories and flowcharts just way more complicated – less user-friendly.
   
   
2. The AEGB checklist seems better tailored for living in Central Texas.  Shouldn't be any surprise here…this makes me think that shouldn’t it be intuitively obvious that green building MUST be tailored to the environment the house is going up in. Heck, it’s sunny and hot here in Texas – make sure the house accounts for that. The LEED checklist does appear to allow for local necessities.

Without sounding rash, my quick assessment is that the Austin system is more for building the house right to live in it while I get this impression that the LEED system has this…how do I say it, “I want to show my green bling” edge to it. I mean, why should I worry about a point for public awareness for advertising or having an article by my builder for a LEED awareness website?

What don’t I know yet?

• How far from Austin can a house be certified for the “1 to 5 star” rating? I’m 60 miles away, but is this Austin standard becoming the defacto Central Texas standard?
• Will the Austin Energy standard provide as much of a future marketing benefit as saying my house is “LEED certified?”
• Will getting a house LEED certified provide full life-cycle benefits when I sell? In other words, will it be cheaper to operate, quicker to sell at a higher price than an Austin Energy certified building?

I think everyone knows this, but no matter which checklist and guide – I expect this house to be more valuable in the future than other “standard build” homes. Because electricity isn’t getting any cheaper! See this article.

I’d love to hear your comments and suggestions on this topic because I sense that if LEED is the way to go, I've got much more prep to do.

The other reason I'm building Green - Sun, Veterans, and Entrepreneurship

I might be going off topic with this blog but hang with me - everything is related - I promise!

For those that know me and have seen my LinkedIn profile, you know I want to be involved in renewable energy for my next career after the Army...although I hate to say it, at a certain point, all Soldiers eventually retire when it's time to leave the helicopter flying, parachuting, commuting into the Pentagon (ok, that's not super fun) to somebody else.  I'm not the first Colonel to see that the end of the fun is closer than the beginning and it's only smart that I start planning now.

So what does one do...some become defense contractors in all sorts of support functions or go into government service.  These are important.  Others like me, are very interested in doing something totally new.  But for me, it's important to do something that I think is valuable to the nation, something that makes the United States better, stronger, more vibrant.  Something I can be completely, totally, 110% passionate about.

I want to be part of renewable energy!  I think it's absolutely essential for this nation's future strength.  So this brings me to two articles I've come across in my readings.

This from the WSJ: 

• MAY 11, 2011, 5:15 PM ET

Why Vets Are Likely Entrepreneurs

 
I'll summarize - Vets both young and old (correction...older) are in great positions to be entrepreneurs.  Good skills and as importantly, financially able with a military retirement to take a leap whereas fear of financial  failure may hold others back.  There, I've said it - I'd like to be some sort of renewable entrepreneur...but what is that first step and in what direction?  I think building this house is going to open my mind up to the  opportunities in Central Texas - who does solar, small wind, geothermal, radiant heating???  The list goes on and on.

So here is the second article and I have to say this was quite the shocker...

California, Oregon, Massachusetts, New York, and Colorado Top the Nation in Clean Energy Leadership

By REW.com Editors
May 20, 2011   |   1 Comment

Clean Edge's U.S. clean energy leadership index provides companies, Investors, and governments with critical data and insights on the clean energy landscape.

Where is Texas???  Well, we're actually #18.  I thought we'd be much better because for those of you who live here, you know it's sunny and windy.  And this state is so business friendly!!  We've got the innovative (crazy) Austinites!  Why aren't we in the top 5?

So, this is one reason I've chosen to live in Texas - there is just so much potential to match the renewable possibilities with the plethora of smart, eager, educated, hungry military veterans who still want to do something important for their country.

The other reason...well, if you've ever spent a spring or fall here you'd understand!

Tell me again why we want to build a "Green" home...

I have come to the simple conclusion that half of being a green designer/builder is being able to interpret the "Green" certification checklists...ok, I know there is much more to it than this but have you ever downloaded and read one of these guides??  SEER, roof slope rating, permeability of driveways, VOC, etc, etc.  distance from faucet to heater - yikes!

Lots to think about for sure but then I got back to thinking: why is it that I want to build "Green?"  We all have different reasons -

1. For some it's the satisfaction of doing our part for the earth and our local community.  
2. For others, it's about energy efficiency and long term cost of ownership. 
3. And still for others, it's a bit about #2, and hey, the "green" designs are often great to live in.

To be honest, I'm really reason #2 and #3.  Ok, ok, I can see that by going through this process, one can't help but be more informed of how these techniques help the environment (nobody wants oily water running down to the lake they swim in and why wouldn't I want to minimize scrap?)

But I'm looking for energy efficiency!  I don't think electricity is getting any cheaper, and as a guy who has spent 23 years in the Army, I understand the cost of defending our national interest in assuring our access to energy resources.

Now if during our quest to get a "green" home that sucks up as little energy as possible (or creates it!), we find ourselves living in a "wow - this is beautiful" home, all the better.  And I betcha that as more folks see homes started for reasons #2 and #3, they'll get smarter and more informed on Reason #1.

And isn't this good for everybody?

Yikes!!! It's crazy in Afghanistan and in the States...lots of moving being planned

Hello everybody, it's been awhile since I've written but I think you'll understand.  I have about one real opportunity to write per week here in Afghanistan and that's my Friday morning when I have the morning off.  Beyond that, long days often keep my blogging to an aspiration only.

Jen has been the BUSY one!  Without turning this into an ode to the strength and perseverance of an Army wife...let me just say that Jen has planned our household goods transportation, found us a rental home (close by the lot where we'll build), and is now planning her early move from Carlisle Barracks, PA to Texas - I just don't think I get back from Afghanistan with enough time to move to Texas and get the girls settled in for school.  So...Jen, in front of the whole world, let me just say I'm really, really proud of you.

I was going to write more but you know what, I'm just going to leave it at that for now.  I'll write another blog entry later but for now, on behalf of fortunate husbands everywhere...here's to strong, independent women who have married us lucky ones.

How do you make a house that is for YOUR family?

We've known we want to build a house that fits our family and supports the things we like to do.  And a house that reminds me of the value of this is FallingWater in Pennsylvania.  You've likely seen the pictures but I have to say to see it in person is amazing.  We visited during a camping trip last year.  A stunning house and design that I'm certain gave the family tremendous pleasure when they visits.  But did it cost a lot of money!!  And it still does as many off you know, serious engineering work had to be performed several years ago to prevent its collapse into the creek below. What is the lesson here?  Need to find that balance between life-cycle cost, function, and beauty.  For some, a house is a place to simply sleep, eat, and shower...for others, it's their life on display.  But for us in the middle, we want something beautiful and interesting without breaking the bank.  We want some to "live" in and to us, that means something that excites us and is ours.

OK, get to the point Scot...I'll tell you that my Mom (who I will write about later as she is an accomplished builder in her own right) has talked me out of the idea (dream?) of a cantilevered room over the slope.  The more essential point she brought up is my desire to get away from the formal dining room.  OK, understand her points about resale value, etc.  But what if the definition of "formal" dining room is in the eye of the beholder?  You'll see me make many references to "The Not So Big House" as I make my way here - do I want the standard closed off dining room of yesteryear's homes?  Or do I want something that is the modern-day version.  Something for everyday if I want but easily "dressed" up for the special dinners (isn't every dinner with family special - more than you know as I learn each day of this deployment!)  The first big design decision and really one of those "what do I want our house to be for the way we live?"

Stayed tuned and thanks for reading.  I'd love to read your comments and suggestions.

USGBC Central Texas - Balcones Chapter

USGBC Central Texas - Balcones Chapter

Just signed up for the Central Texas Green Building Council...yes, we're going to talk about LEED certification for this new house.

I just found out that dozens and dozens (hundreds perhaps) of new post housing on Fort Hood is LEED, level Silver certified. Very impressive!

May as well build this house right!

Let's get serious now...the lot and the neighbors' homes

Alright, we've made the introductions so you know who we are and why we're going to Texas.  Jen has posted her first quick blogs to get in the groove - now it's time to get some feedback from the web community.

Here is where we are going to build - "The Ridge" in Harker Heights, Texas.  Now when we bought this about five years ago, there were very few neighbors here and these two homes were not built either.  So as I figure out what can go on our Lot 26, I think it would help us all if we saw the style of what is there and the lot characteristics.

First, the lot.  118 feet of street width.  Over an acre but much of this is the slope that looks toward the lake.   There is a moderate slope from the street that will require a retaining wall (or perhaps a smart home design??!!).  There is sewerage and underground utilities.  You can barely see the view toward Stillhouse Hollow Lake in this pic - I promise, it's a great view looking toward the east/southeast (I know you solar fans are going to eventually ask)

 We have two neighbors who I have not yet met.  I think this house on the left is just stunning.  Modern but still "comfortable."  Jen likes the stone.  I think this could be an inspiration for us for sure.

 Another view of this home on the left.  Note the retaining wall and although you might not know, it is canted so the back has the best view to the lake.

This is the house on the right.  A simpler house design.  This pic gives you an idea of the offset from the street.  Also - no wooden fences allowed.  Only metal/rod iron so that nobody loses a view.  I'll want to build something that minimizes or eliminates the view obstruction for my neighbor on the left.

I think I said it but we face to the east.  I bought this deliberately because the setting west sun in Texas is HOT!  But...the lot directly across the street is so narrrow, it may not even have a house so I want to consider a second story or perhaps an upper deck/patio that allows us to see the pretty Texas sunset - but minimizes the heating effect.  We're going to make this house the model of energy efficiency!

So, say hello to the neighbors!  Two nice homes and I'm sure two great future neighbors.  I hope this gives you ideas for recommendations.

The next post??  We might jump into the renewable features we're looking to integrate.  Until then, spread the word, and send this link to your architect and building buddies

Backsplash options#$%$#%$^^?????

How many different types of back-splashes are there out there? I could spend days looking for the right design and color combination. Any recommendations on a site that is reasonable and not overwhelming?

So excited to start my dream house with my wonderful family!

May 1st - my anniversary so let me tell me tell you about Jen and what we like

Now maybe she gets on this new blog and corrects anything I write...but first: "Happy Anniversary!!"

I am fortunate for several reasons but the ones that apply to this house-building project (and that you want to know about if you're still reading) is that Jen and me share many of the same design themes.  I'd be in trouble if I like traditional and she likes modern.  But whenever we discuss ideas, we agree 99% of the time (maybe 95% really, but I betcha this goes down as this blog continues!)

What does she like?  I think the best way to describe it is "Texas Modern."  Lots of open space, clean design - not cluttered, use of the beautiful Texas stone.  This "Spirit Lake House"designed by James LaRue is spectacular and I think will be our "dream" starting point.  Here it is: http://bit.ly/lbCYtB.  Why starting point do you say??? Well, I already told you I've been in the military for 20+ years.  I'm comfortable but by no means wealthy so we'll talk budget in a later post.

I'm getting excited now - my first blog.

Wow - we love this house!

Getting started...

I finally got my orders to return to Fort Hood when I come back from Afghanistan. I'll pick up the family in Carlisle, PA and go back to Central Texas...a place we really grew to love when last assigned there.

My wife, Jen, and I bought a beautiful lot overlooking Stillhouse Hollow Lake before we last left, always wondering if we'd get back there to build. Well, here we come! But, like many military families, that time to settle down comes and then the decisions, anxiety, and happiness that comes with building that dream house!

I know what we want...I think. So, we figured we'd start this blog and "crowd-source" the best and brightest ideas over the months ahead. Over the next year, we'll cover everything from house layout, construction management, renewable energy, financing

So sign up, share this with your design, building, architecture, etc friends and let's get building Casa Arey!