Twenty for Twenty

We will soon be posting twenty second videos of theSAGE and all the sustainable features. Our plan is to do twenty videos for the twenty days before the start of the Home Builder’s Tour on July 25. So, if I figure out my camera work and uploads, we will start Monday the 6th of July!

theEMERALD – Floor Plan

Here’s the plan. You can download a flyer of the whole thing at the link below. This plan will fit on many urban infill sites. Designed to fit on a 60′ x 75′ lot which is what we’ve found is becoming very typical in urban settings. Many lots in the downtown core were originally 60′ x 150′ and newer zoning codes encourage dividing them into 4,500 sq ft 60′ x 75′ lots. The porch would project 3′ into the front yard setback, which is also generally allowed by local zoning codes. 

theEMERALD – Front Elevation

Here’s the front elevation of our latest plan: theEMERALD. This series will have a more traditional flavor to blend into existing urban contexts. But theEMERALD will still have sustainability at the forefront of its concept. More to come…

theSAGE Rainwater Collection


We installed the rainwater pipe today. 2′ diameter x 39′ long. Will hold water for our pond and water some of our drought-resistant plants as needed. The gutters drain down the chain to the funnels. Overflow visible at the bottom of the picture. We’ll also have a hand pump for hand watering potted plants.

new plan coming soon — the EMERALD

We are developing a new plan at thesimpleHOUSE. We’ve received feedback that it would be nice to see plans even smaller than what we’ve been doing. That kind of input is encouraging; it’s nice to know we aren’t alone in our thoughts along those lines.

theEMERALD will check in at a lean 896 square feet. Two bedrooms, one bath.

This plan will also expand our designs into the more traditional style. the EMERALD will be a bungalow that would fit well in an existing urban setting. We’ve noticed many older, downtown neighborhoods with the potential of small, infill houses. the EMERALD will be designed with a one car detached garage, wrap around porch and room for solar panels. And it will fit on a 60 x 75 foot downtown lot while maintaining the character of the surrounding neighborhood.
We’re also exploring a different wall type and insulation.
More later.