We are Michael (US born, Mpls MN) and Vivienne. We have some great land with a great view, (panorama header to come when we can climb the trees) on an old DNR fire tower spot. We want to build a house called Finisterre or End of Earth. It will be a two bedroom, one studio, one office, house with a two car garage. There are a few issues to contend with:
We need a home that would remain accessible with age or disability, and yet we don’t want a house all on one level. It must have enough height above the trees to take in the view, and preferably more than a passing nod to the old fire tower. We might need an elevator and if and when we can afford it we will have one.
Vivienne needs a good size studio with lots of north windows for the light. The view is also best to the north, and yet we want to build as green as possible using solar gain and minimal heat loss.
We are border Buena Vista State forest and want minimal impact. We don’t want to cut down many trees but we need solar gain.
We want a Green Roof so you can stand on a small decked area on top of the roof looking out over the tree tops, and be surrounded by green succulents. And a greenhouse would be nice up there too.
We want solar panels for heating water, a ground water heat pump, very high R factor walls and windows and our current maximum budget is… $200,000. We must be dreaming.
If the house gets built then Vivienne will finally give up British citizenship and settle down as an American.
The space: 47°39′0.44″N 94°52′38.48″W
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