What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?
Green building practices used in this house include:
- Strawbales used for exterior walls create an R-35 wall 16" thick.
- Interior walls painted with no VOC paint.
- Wood sealed with natural oils and waxes, minimal to no petroleum products.
- No use of liquid nails or construction adhesive.
- The hypo allergenic drywall compound used contains no formaldehyde or preservatives.
- Minimized use of OSB plywood, to greatly reduce exposure to formaldehyde.
- R-60 cellulose ceiling insulation, a recycled product, is safer than fiberglass.
- Concrete floor stained with natural pigments and sealed with a water-based eco sealer.
- Floor thermally isolated from ground by 2" R-12 foam.
- Plentiful south-facing windows for passive solar gain.
- Concrete floor, adobe block, and plaster act as thermal mass to collect the heat and buffer temperature swings.
- Electric Thermal System supplies heat at a special 80% discounted rate (by storing heat during off-peak hours in bricks inside the unit and then releasing the heat when needing during peak rate time)Property Description
1234 Laredo Trail, Crestone Colorado
This strawbale home has a real touch of class. From custom-built alder cabinets, glorious view from clad wooden windows, to luscious curves plastered in diamond plaster, every aspect of this house speaks of quality craftsmanship. And beneath the elegant surface, resides a commitment to health-conscious and "green building" construction.
Nestled in the quiet Baca Grande subdivision near Crestone, CO, the site of this home is in the high desert, just a few miles from the 14,000 foot Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the town of Crestone. The community has a strong spiritual component; the area is doted with 15 monasteries, ashrams, and temples. This area draws outdoor enthusiasts, retirees, spiritual aspirants and anyone who enjoys the peace and quiet of Colorado. World class downhill skiing is nearby at Monarch Ski Area, a 75 minute drive and at Wolf Creek Ski Area, a 90 minute drive. The most popular rafting and kayaking river in the state is under a one hour drive away.
This home captures the majestic mountain scenery with large windows that open to the amazing views of the Sangres, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and the Collegiate Peaks. These windows and use of glass block let natural light fill the rooms. Passive solar design, well and septic, and discounted Electric Thermal System Heat means bills are very, very low for this house.
Beautiful finishes include:
- Low-maintenance lime/concrete exterior plaster.
- Diamond interior plaster is finished to a smooth trowel finish, and feels like a polished stone to the touch. It is beige colored with natural pigments with an appearance with depth and texture.
- Rich leather--like colored concrete floor.
- Custom-built alder cabinets with deep ruddy natural finish from oil and hardwax.
- Tile countertops with epoxy grout, which is strong, stays clean, and doesn\'t crack and chip like regular grout.
- Aspen ceiling in living, dining, kitchen areas.
House layout and design features include:
- 9 inch deep wood windowsills.
- Built-in bookshelves and entertainment area.
- 9\' ceilings throughout house.
- 2\' overhang of roof and gutters protects the exterior from moisture.
- Master suite with own bathroom and walk-in closet.
- Master bath includes 6\' soaking tub and picture window with mountain views.
- Roomy kitchen has stove in the island.
- Entry mudroom has built-in wood bench.
- Spacious closets and kitchen pantry throughout house.
- Roomy 300 sf heated storage in 2nd floor could be converted to living space for future expansion
- Radiant tubes in floor ready to upgrade to solar floor heat.
Neighborhood Description
The Baca Grande Grants are a rural high desert area at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This area is very scenic and peaceful. The community is quite spiritual and alternative oriented. Many spiritual groups have retreats and events in the Cresotne areaMarket Area
San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado, near Crestone, COCommunity
Baca Grande subdivision of Crestone, COLocation of Home or Land
Rural
Elevation of Home
Mountain
Air Quality
| Agriculture in Area | yes |
| Industry in Area | no |
| Air Pollution in Area | no |
| Pesticide Free | yes |
| Fragrance Free | yes |
| Cleaned with Green Products | yes |
Interior Environment
| Heating System | Solar - Passive Other |
| Cooling System | Other |
| Ventilation System | Other |
| Whole House Filtration | None |
| Whole House Vacuum | no |
Energy & Water
| Water System | Well |
| Wastewater System | Septic System |
Construction Information
| Construction Type | Straw bale |
| Exterior Finish | Plaster - Other |
| Interior Finish | Other |
| Interior Paint | No VOC |
| Floor Material | Concrete |
| Roof Material | Metal |
| Window Material | Wood Dual Glazed |
| Insulation Material | Recycled Newsprint |
Garage / Car Port
| Garage / Carport | no |
| Garage Type | attached |
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