House on August 5, 2013
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After nearly a year of being under wraps, Desert Rain is plastered and revealed.
After nearly a year of being under wraps, Desert Rain is plastered and revealed.
The Miro wall with the colored plaster.
Patrick Fitzgerald, engineer with Whole Water Systems sealing the seams of the geotextile liner on the wetland.
The constructed wetland receives permits after a 3 year process of applications and resubmits. Morgan Brown and Patrick Fitzgerald with Whole Water Systems oversee the construction.
The Miro wall begins on the exterior of the west side of the house, gracefully curves through the house and emerges on the east side to enclose an exterior courtyard.
The south side of Desert Rain showing the final, colored coat of lime plaster.
A time capsule was placed in the interior wall. Desert Rain is being built for a 200 year lifespan. When will that time capsule be discovered?
Desert Rain in the winter light.
The garage is built on top of the 35,000 gallon cistern. PV modules will be installed on the roof.
The sheetrock project underway. Two layers of sheetrock are being installed on some walls for thermal mass.
The accessory dwelling unit all tented for the future plastering of the exterior.
Cellulose insulation was blown in to the interior walls and used as the last cover layer over the spray foam on exterior walls.
The garage is build on top of the 35,000 gallon cistern. Framing started on November 13 - here is is 12 days later beginning the prep work for the plaster lathe.
The current status of the exterior view of Desert Rain in the late November light.
The lumber used in the garage framing and throughout the project is Forest Stewardship Certified.
The Graywater/irrigation cistern is 5,000 gallons. It is built adjacent to the 35,000 gallon cistern that will store collected rainwater for all the domestic water use.
Cody with American Painting applying stain/sealing coat to the cedar siding.
The cement floor in the main house was 'diamond polished' to create a beautiful, reflective surface without using additional materials. The cement slab is poured over the radiant heat flooring and also creates thermal mass for passive heat gain.
Anna Vacca and her crew graded the 'mail trail' to create a walking path from the house to Shasta place.
Read about the Desert Rain House here…