New Old Bungalow

A retired couple desired to return to a simpler life by converting seven acres of soybeans into a small working hobby farm. This included building a new bungalow style home to overlook their man-made pond. The downsized floor plan was designed with master bedroom suites on both floors, so that the couple could relocate to the first floor, if needed in the future. Traditional living/dining/kitchen areas were combined with a first floor laundry and large three-season porch, which faces the pond. A separate enclosed garage was attached to the house by way of a covered breezeway.

Energy efficiency was an integral part of the building program. Exterior walls and roofs were constructed of prefabricated structural insulated panels (SIPS), which are 8" thick plywood-sheathed solid foam panels, shipped to the site and erected with a crane. Basement walls are prefabricated insulated concrete panels erected at the jobsite. Combined with the energy efficient windows and a geothermal heat pump, the home uses a fraction of normal utility costs year round.