What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?
The house is constructed of straw bale, with one exterior wall being of rastra block – providing an insulation value of R-43. The roof has an insulation value of R-46. Interior walls are primarily of adobe brick for thermal mass. All electric is solar. The house faces south for passive solar heat. We have used only natural clay paint and natural clay plaster for a couple of rooms; the rest of the house has been left natural interior stucco. A small amount of wood trim has been painted with milk paint and sealed with a natural hand-rubbed wax finish. Natural resin has been used in one room for floor coloring, and old-fashioned milk paint was used on the floor of the main bedroom and the hallway. The only wax used has been completely natural floor milk wax. The house has been kept pet-free.
We have our own water catchment system with a total storage capacity of 4700 gallons. The house is set up for recycling gray water. Also, located in the kitchen and main bath are switches for a hot water recirculation pump which prevents the waste of water.
The studio is constructed of straw bale as well, with one interior wall of adobe brick. The interior walls of the studio are all finished with natural adobe plaster and the floor consists of poured earth sealed with beeswax and floor milk wax, providing greater ease on the legs and a natural earthen beauty. The studio has its own water catchment system.
Cleaning and maintenance of our home has been done using organic and earth-friendly products. Passive solar and radiant floor eat eliminate the blowing dust and mites that normally come with forced-air furnaces.
The buyer will be provided with detailed descriptions of all systems, and any other help that may be needed in moving to a green and healthy home, including local places for purchasing green products.
Finally, the environment itself contributes to the healthy quality of this home. The lack of all industrial pollution in the Taos area, and the mountain air provide a most healthy environment.Property Description
Our home is a custom-designed, eco-friendly house which has been lovingly maintained with a constant eye toward keeping the healthiest environment we can manage. The house was built in two phases. In 1997 the main living area was designed with a completely open floor plan consisting of approximately 1,100 sq. ft. of living space. A unique, octagonal space holds the kitchen, a bathroom, an open living area, and a loft with a closet--which might serve as a third bedroom, an office, or perhaps a meditation and/or exercise area. In the center of this main living area a 2-foot diameter pine log rises approximately 20 feet to the peak of the roof, resting on a toggle joint to buffer the effects of any minor earthquakes. Spiraling upwards around this central support is a custom staircase accented by a handmade aspen railing. Connected to the kitchen are a pantry and a tiled, cold storage alcove. There is a small woodstove in the living area for added heat and for especially cozy evenings. The floor of the living area is brick. The overall feel of this living space is one of spaciousness and comfort.
In 2005 the second section of the house was added, nearly doubling the living space. It adds a cozy den or dining room, 2 bedrooms, a second full bath, a laundry alcove, and a light-filled hallway backed by a thermal mass wall of adobe brick. All of the ceilings in this portion of the house consist of tongue-in-groove aspen wood. Both bedrooms contain spacious closets. Propane outlets have been installed in the master bath and master bedroom, providing the option for alternate heat. With the addition of this part of the house, the total living space amounts to 2,140 sq. ft.
In addition to the main house, a separate artist’s studio was constructed in 2007. 600 sq. ft. in size, it contains two rooms separated by an adobe brick wall. Numerous thermal pane windows make for a bright work space and unobstructed views; abundant track and spot ceiling lights provide added lighting wherever it might be needed. The ceiling is of tongue-in-groove pine which, in conjunction with the adobe interior, helps to create a totally natural interior feel. There is a custom-made sink cabinet housing a hammered copper sink. The front of the studio has a 10 x 30 foot portale, or porch.
Both the house and the studio contain traditional nichos. The house is pre-wired for satellite, stereo and landline phones
With the addition of a connecting 6-foot tall wall, the studio and house form a courtyard enclosure with flagstone pathways. Outside the front and the back of the house are patio areas defined by 3-foot high, stuccoed retaining walls. French drains were placed around the house.
Near the house is a small storage shed and a fenced area containing several raised garden beds.
Finally, situated as it is next to the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument land, no one can ever build between these 5 acres and the Rio Grande Gorge. Also, on the further side of the Gorge is uninhabited Pueblo land. The views from the house toward the Gorge and the Sangre De Cristo mountains will always remain unobstructed and unobscured.
Neighborhood Description
Our home is located on a loop road of about a mile and a half, where we have just 5 quiet neighbors – two of whom live in other states and use their Taos houses as second homes. We live on what locals call the Mesa – an undulating region at around 7000 feet in altitude, once used primarily for grazing and now covered with sagebrush, pinon pine, juniper and high prairie grasses, flowers and cactuses. The feel is one of great expanse.
The only true way to describe our “neighborhood” is to describe our natural environment, because it is nature which unmistakably dominates our locale. Due to the low humidity environment one can see forever. To the east we see the Sangre de Cristo mountains which turn pink with the sunsets; to the north we can see the white peaks of Monte Blanco in southern Colorado; and to the south and west we see the distant Jemez mountain range. Nearer, our property borders the recently designated Rio Grande del Norte National Monument land that runs alongside the Rio Grande Gorge. The Gorge, which can be seen from the house, is a mini-Grand Canyon – 650 feet deep and some 50 miles long. It is home to Rocky Mountain Longhorn Sheep and to eagles who nest in its cliffs. A 10 minute walk out our back door takes one to the Rim Trail running 9 miles along the edge of this natural wonder.
At night our neighborhood is dominated by stars. In New Mexico there is a law prohibiting outdoor lighting from shining upwards because the people so love the night sky. The low humidity and the high altitude provide a perfect environment for witnessing the greatest mass of stars you can imagine, with the pale white of the Milky Way running clearly through it.
In the daytime it is clear why Taos is called the Solar Capital of the World. With over 300 days of sun each year, the vast blue sky is another powerful element in our neighborhood.
On occasion we have looked out our windows to see elk, antelope, mountain sheep and coyotes, which one can often hear at night. Yet even with the dominance and vastness of nature so important an aspect of our locale, one never feels isolated, what with just enough friendly neighbors and the nearby town of Taos.Market Area
Historic Taos is the nearest market area, with downtown Taos being from 15 to 20 minutes from the house. With a population around 8,000 Taos has everything one needs while still maintaining the small town feel. Aside from several regular groceries, there is a fine health food store carrying organic produce and meats only 15 minutes from our house. From May through October three different farmers’ markets operate – the main one consisting of produce and products from local growers, most of whom grow organically.
Taos contains many art galleries, craft shops and restaurants – partially to cater to the needs of the many tourists that visit the area. The town has a thriving music scene. There is a movie theatre, several hardwares, a Walgreens and a Walmart, a hospital, and all the other amenities and services you might need or want. Still, the center of town retains its quiet, historic look and feel.
Taos is also known for its wide variety of music venues, including the annual KTAOS Solar Music Festival.
Taos is situated in a prime area for outdoor activities, including skiing, river rafting, hiking, hunting and fishing. Recently Taos was chosen as a site for increasing development of eco-tourism.
Being a town consisting of three distinct cultural ethnicities – Hispanic, Native American, and Anglo – Taos offers an amazingly varied range of activities and products for such a quiet town.
And if there is anything you cannot find in Taos (such as an opera company) you can always drive to Santa Fe, which is only an hour and a half away.School District
Community
Our home is in a wide-open rural area. About 2 miles away is the internationally known earth ship community pioneered by Mike Reynolds. About 1 mileLocation 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) Solar - Passive Wood Stove |
| Cooling System | Other |
| Ventilation System | Other |
| Whole House Filtration | None |
| Whole House Vacuum | no |
Energy & Water
| Energy System | Off the Grid Solar - Photovoltaic |
| Water System | Rain Water Collection |
| Wastewater System | Septic System |
Construction Information
| Construction Type | Straw bale |
| Exterior Finish | Stucco |
| Interior Finish | Cement Plaster Earthen Plaster |
| Interior Paint | No VOC |
| Floor Material | Other |
| Roof Material | Metal |
| Window Material | Wood Dual Glazed |
| Insulation Material | Other |
Garage / Car Port
| Garage / Carport | no |
| Garage Type | attached |
| Number of Cars | 1 |
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