Home Location Features Floor Plan Rough Work Finish Work Solar Power Plant Joys and Regrets Acknowledgements

Features

 

 

Our Lorenzo home was designed to use only renewable forms of energy without compromising comfort and convenience.  There were many other features in our wish list, but here are the ones we managed to incorporate.

 

bullet2698 square feet of living area with an 800 square foot 3-car garage on a 1.1 acre lot
bulletContemporary design, simple elegance with no need to make a fashion statement
bulletExtra thick concrete slab and footings, heavily reinforced
bulletSteel-framed construction with screw connections - no termite problems
bulletGalvanized steel studs embedded in injection molded polystyrene foam insulation
bullet7 inch thick (R-24) exterior walls provide quiet comfort
bulletInterior walls packed with stabilized cellulose for sound control
bullet5/8" type X drywall on all walls and ceilings improves thermal mass
bulletLarge 1-1/2 inch radius bullnose wall corners
bulletCommercial grade symmetrical section steel roof trusses
bulletHigh volume vaulted ceilings in family room, living room, kitchen, and master bedroom
bulletCoffered ceiling in formal dining room
bulletNine-foot high flat ceilings in remaining areas
bulletSeamless radiused high gloss window and door casings
bulletCherry wood cabinetry in kitchen, baths, laundry room and linen niche
bulletExtra deep (26") kitchen cabinets
bulletHand-rubbed "Ostermann und Schiewe" fine furniture finish on all cabinetry
bulletGranite kitchen countertops and full height backsplashes
bulletGranite thresholds at all entry doors
bulletCast onyx bath countertops and shower surrounds
bulletCast onyx bathroom flooring
bulletJapanese cherry laminate flooring in all other rooms
bulletDual pane vinyl windows keep out the heat
bulletRadiant barrier roof sheeting with cloaked roof vents keeps attic temperatures low
bulletR39 stabilized cellulose attic insulation cuts heating and cooling energy
bulletGrid-tied solar electric plant provides all energy needs
bulletUnder-the-slab electrical wire distribution - no loose wire runs in the attic
bullet20-amp electrical circuits throughout - lights won't dim when the laser printer starts
bullet240V 40-amp branch circuit in garage for EV charger
bulletVery light circuit load counts - sub panel accommodates extra breakers
bulletDouble duplex outlets in bedrooms and garage for home office convenience
bulletDouble duplex outlets and built-in reading lights in master bedroom
bulletElectrical outlets inside bathroom cabinets for hiding appliance chargers
bulletWhisper-quiet vent fans with timer switches in all bathrooms and laundry room.
bullet20-amp circuit for Christmas lights with 4 switched outlets distributed around the eaves
bullet20-amp circuit for landscape lighting with exterior switched outlet
bulletPhoto-controlled whole-house nightlight circuit with lifetime solid-state LED lamps
bulletHalogen ceiling lighting with programmable dimmers in family room and hallway
bulletFluorescent ceiling lights, cove lights, and counter lights in kitchen
bulletCompact fluorescent lighting in all other rooms
bulletHigh quality and high efficiency electric kitchen appliances
bulletCategory 5 wiring to bedrooms, family room, kitchen, garage, and neighbor's house
bulletQuad-shielded RG-6 coaxial cable to every bedroom, entertainment area, and garage
bulletBuilt-in computer workstation with dedicated 20-amp electrical circuit
bulletBuilt-in DSL modem and router serves whole-house ethernet network
bulletEthernet, telecom, and coaxial cables terminate at central distribution panels
bulletPre-installed cables to distribution panel for direct satellite TV
bulletBuilt-in home theater center with surround sound and 58" Pioneer Elite high definition TV
bulletElectric, TV and category 5 extension feeds to area for future guest house
bulletHot water circulating system, switchable on or off at each point of use
bulletWhole-house R/O (reverse osmosis) water purification system
bulletConduit carries food-grade R/O tubing to refrigerator ice maker.
bulletHigh grade ball stops (instead of cheap angle stops) for all faucets
bulletSeparate ball stops for dishwasher and R/O system
bulletDeionized water wash down equipment keeps tubs and showers spot free
bulletUnderground wiring from garage to landscape irrigation valves
bulletRain gutters connect to underground storm drain system
bulletSeptic system sized for 5 bedrooms - ready for future guest house
bulletClay tile roof with fully-vitrified tile, not weaker partially vitrified or concrete tile
bulletHuge high quality wood-burning fireplace with 12" ID stainless steel flue
bulletHigh-powered 240-volt central vacuum system with outside exhaust
bulletFully finished and insulated garage for two cars and a large truck
bulletEight-foot high garage door clearance
bulletGarage has non-sloping floor and 3 large view windows - great spot for a workshop
bulletLarge 780 square foot  covered patio