What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?
The house is a highly efficient straw bale construction with passive solar orientation. No toxic materials were used in the building. The walls are entirely straw and clay, The walls are made of stacked rectangular straw bales, not only a completely natural material, but a completely renewable resource (in fact, often just a wasted or burned agricultural by-product). The natural insulation value of these walls is estimated at R40 - R50. The straw bale walls are covered with a cement-lime-sand plaster. The final exterior coat is a natural silicate paint. Most of the flooring is stone tile. The clay and straw walls provide a natural system where air and vapor can move through the walls balancing humidity and improving interior air quality as well as being attractive.Property Description
An artisan owner-designed straw bale home located in rural Lake County, on 13 acres of pastoral valley. One bedroom/one bath and over 1900 sq. ft. of living space with gourmet kitchen and lots of privacy. The home is off the grid and waiting for you to make it your own oasis! The house is a highly efficient straw bale construction with passive solar energy. No toxic materials were used in the building. The walls are entirely straw and clay. Most of the flooring is stone tile. The clay and straw walls provide a natural system where air and vapor can move through the walls balancing humidity and improving interior air quality as well as being attractive. Hydronic floor heating system and wood stove. Spacious office and storage room, butler's pantry. Room for your chickens, horses, an olive orchard or whatever your heart desires. Interesting features like a loft and outside bathtub. Revive the garden and enjoy beautiful meadow views.Neighborhood Description
Most lot sizes in the area are 40 acres or larger. The home is situated in a pastoral agricultural valley, with nearby olive growers to the north and south. Hidden Valley Lake, a local shopping center, is about 10 minutes away and includes, among other businesses, two gyms, a hardware and grocery store, coffee shops, restaurants and a golf course. Harbin Hot Springs is only 15 minutes away and Calistoga, a quaint town with spa's and shops, is 30 minutes away.Market Area
Lake County is one of the top rated counties in the US for air quality. There are no major industrial activities in the county. It is primarily rural and has vast expanses of national park, BLM land and open space grazing and agricultural land. Lower Lake is a half hour away from Calistoga, a major center for spas and tourism, and an hour away from Napa to the south and Santa Rosa to the west, both major shopping and commercial centers. The area is served by two hospitals.School District
No known school district.Community
Lower Lake and nearby Middletown are mixed urbanized and agricultural/ranching communities. The county is also now a destination for a growing high-appellation wine production industry. There are a mix of life long locals, along with those who have moved to the area for the clean air, open space and trails for equestrian interests, and easy access to nearby hot springs. Lake County is noted for its abundant outdoor recreational opportunities including boating on nearby Clear Lake.Location 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 | Hydronic Floor Heat (radiant) |
| Cooling System | Swamp Cooler |
| Ventilation System | Other |
| Whole House Filtration | Other |
| Whole House Vacuum | no |
Energy & Water
| Energy System | Solar - Photovoltaic |
| Water System | Well |
| Wastewater System | Septic System |
Construction Information
| Construction Type | Straw bale |
| Exterior Finish | Plaster - Earth |
| Interior Finish | Earthen Plaster |
| Interior Paint | Other |
| Floor Material | Tile |
| Roof Material | Asphalt Composition Shingle |
| Window Material | Wood Dual Glazed |
| Insulation Material | Other |
Garage / Car Port
| Garage / Carport | yes |
| Garage Type | carport_detached |
| Number of Cars | 2 |
