We bought a 10-acre parcel in Northern California, around 2400 ft elevation. Very little snow, hot summers, generally dry air. The property has quite a slope to it, maybe 30 degrees, and faces south with a view over the town and valley beyond. There is a smallish (30 feet x 150 feet) level pad and road to it already in place. We want to build a 1800 sf house that is energy-efficient. We know we want a covered porch on the front face. We like the craftsman style and we also like post and beam and even log houses. We’re thinking we may have to back the lower part of the back of the house into the hillside. So, I see a slab foundation, radiant floor heating, 5 foot retaining wall in the back with small windows above. Maybe so or…?
Any ideas from the readers?
Replies
Had some clients a few years ago who purchased a hillside site in North Carolina and planned to retire there. Very similar situation to yours, and about the same size house. Big covered porch, important views, also craftsman-style fans. The husband was adamant about using SIP construction, and i didn't see a problem with it.
They also wanted the house to fit in with the mountains. No 'lopping off' the top and having their house sit flat. They were very well prepared and had a good idea of what they wanted, except for the design (unfortunately). We couldn't seem to get on the same page and parted ways amicably, but i'd bet $$$ that SIPS was what they built with. There's a number of past threads on this discussion board if you do a search.
To me a south facing 30 degree slope calls for a basement with windows and walkout to the south. Maybe a small patio area with the excavated fill, and some sort of cantilevered walk or a deck on the south side of the upper level. You'd get lots of solar gain, natural light in the house, and the views...
Unless you plan to use your smallish "yard" to build on, a slab on grade would either require fill (with multiple caveats attached) Or be sunk into the ground on the North, which could look awkward.
A walkout basement could be built under just about any style house.
Sounds like ours- Norcal on ten on hillside overlooking town...hm.. I like the craftsmen too and am doing a remodel of a ranch to craftsman. I would be leary of slab on a steep hillside because of upslope drainage issues that I see a lot of around here.
Our 10 acres is between Sonora and Columbia.
What is upslope drainage?
I always dream of an underground house with a wall of windows on one side.. 2+3=7
Why dream? Talk to VaTom, he's there.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
Yup, but you've gotta have a slope first. Well, that's not quite right. There's a house in Saginaw, Mich. that's a little like ours. Built on flat-as-a-pancake land with a small hill piled on top of the house. Pretty funny looking. Apparently works well.
For this thread, an excellent solution, assuming excavation is realistic. The choices really are excavate or build on stilts. Both work, but underground can make heating/cooling a non-issue. Not to mention high-wind protection. Or falling trees, like the 80'er that came down on our place during the last hurricane remnant. No damage, but enough firewood for the next winter. Or forest fires, or .... PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!