“Green architecture represents a growing light at the end of this tunnel of misleading arguments. Each year we waste roughly half of all the energy consumed in buildings.” –Bob Kobet, 1995

A south facing attached greenhouse serves the function of a passive solar heat collector for the house. For thermal mass, the gteenhouse mainly utilizes light, "quick response" mass that consists essentially of timber paneling and framing, as well as drywall. A moderate amount of hollow block wall is also available as thermal mass plus, perhaps in the future, some earth in planting beds.

The attached greenhouse also serves the function of a physical buffer zone between the conditioned living space of the house and outside conditions during the cold winter months. It is both a temperature buffer as well as a buffer against southerly winds.

To help prevent overheating in summer, the greenhouse has a modest south roof overhang to give shade against the high summer sun. The overhang has not been constructed to any significant length in order that needed solar radiation from late autumn to early spring is not prevented from entering the greenhouse during these seasons.

A high jack roof with a window opening located on the southern portion of the house represents a feature for natural cooling during summer by facilitating natural ventilation. Warm air rises and escapes through the opened window.

Greenhouse Construction

Finished Product (2003)