Sunday, March 13, 2005


This house has no style except its own...the individual owner trying to enclose space efficiently, with style, and with an eclectic approach to problem solving that shows in his work. The ground level is solid windows (for solar gain). The cheapest way to do this is to buy sliding door replacement glass. It comes in standard sizes and is double paned. Otherwise, you have to make a double paned window by hand. Having it built for you in a custom size is beyond the pocketbook of most do-it-yourselfers. Also, look at the chimney rising next to the clerestory. Probably cement blocks around flue tile: too hard to stack adobe like that. The owner had to go that high because the clerestory was probably causing downdrafts from swirling wind. Notice the built-in structures that serve as awnings over the clerestory windows...giving a little shade in the warmer months. It is so typical to have the extremes of intensive labor and cheap or free materials juxtaposed like this. Basically, in most parts of the valley, adobe dirt is free (or dirt cheap). Rough-cut lumber, rolled roofing, and stucco round out the essentials for a dirt cheap but charming casa.

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