A living example of connectedness on the planet...

The Eartha Madre Project

PERMACULTURE

(pur ma kul cher). N. A system of perennial agriculture emphasizing the use of renewable materials and resources and enrichment of local ecosystems.  The study of inter-relationships and interdependence of living things and their environment.

DESIGN ASPECTS OF THE EARTHA MADRE PROJECT

           Every detail of this site and building was evaluated regarding energy efficiency, non-toxic applications and conscious, sustainable building design that is in harmony with the environment.  Metal roofs, stone veneers, earth plasters and stucco were used to protect the structure from a fire prone landscape.  Even the roof water harvesting is set up through a system of gutters and collection cisterns which can hold almost 6,000 gallons of water to be distributed throughout the surrounding landscape, increasing the effective annual rainfall by directing water to enrich the growth of native species plantings surrounding the buildings.

After careful observation of patterns on the site: patterns of fire scarring, erosion and soil deposition, vegetative communities, weather and wind, archeological remains, and wildlife movement across the site, the building site was chosen. A site that was protected from fire danger and wind, had good solar access, was adjacent to a natural alluvial fan with excellent agricultural soils and required minimal site disturbance for access roads and utilities.  All of these factors helped in reducing construction costs and impacts on wildlife corridors.

Connection to the earth requires returning to nature as much or more than what has been taken from her.  Connection with people requires exchange and mutual respect.  Connection with self requires balancing the inward and outward aspects of life, since both are necessary to a whole person.  This project connected the owners, the local building department, the sub-contractors and the community with a new and unique construction approach using ancient and time honored building techniques.  As one of the first “green” buildings in the area, our process opened the door for better understanding of sustainable building technologies and their applications with the local building department through a series of timber framing and straw-clay workshops held on the site during the construction of the main building.  As owner builders and general contractors of the project, we viewed the process as an ongoing opportunity to educate not only ourselves and the subcontractors, but also the local building department as to the advantages and possibilities when using sustainable and time honored building methods.

           Eartha Madre was constructed on the property key line which is that place in the landscape where there is a shift in the angles of the slope and the deposits of topsoil's and nutrients are the most rich.  The entire front of the property is landscaped with native species trees, shrubs and wildflowers and the site includes a photographic documentation of many of the species used in the process.  The handcrafted, custom kitchen tile backsplash (left) mirrors the wildflower meadows across the property with the impressions of those flowers as the tile designs.

 

INSIDE EARTHA MADRE

           “Words cannot describe this incredible space!”  is a phrase that is often echoed by those touring the site and buildings.  The beauty, quality and craftsmanship are unparalleled and although the design and construction process predates the LEEDS certification process, the construction was accomplished following many of the standards they have now set.  Truly a work of art, this home feels like one is living in a gallery of amazing details and creative touches throughout that mirror the natural environment surrounding it.  Throughout the building process, local craftsmen and subcontractors were encouraged to tap into their own creativity which inspired an ongoing evolution of design finishes and creative touches throughout.  Renewable resources and recycling was one of the main focuses throughout the design and construction of this house.  In keeping with this theme, much of the tile work throughout the house was done using recycled scrap tile.  What was once ready to be discarded by various tile distributors has been combined in custom designs and transformed into natural and functional art by the creators of this home.

Oriented to the south and slightly east, the home takes 60% of it’s heat directly from the sun.  The use of straw-clay exterior walls for exceptional insulation value combined with adobe interior walls in this house is extremely beneficial, allowing heat to be absorbed by the thermal mass of the adobe during the day and released at night, mitigating temperature swings and reducing the need for supplemental heating.  A solar evaluation of the main building determined that even without any additional heating, the minimum interior temperature on the coldest of nights (0 degrees) would not drop below 53 F and would rise to 61 F by day.  Our experience of living in the home supports this conclusion and on extremely cold winter days, a Tulikivi European masonry fireplace (seen in left photo) which stores heat within a soapstone thermal mass and slowly releases it after the fire has gone out, provides additional warmth.  The home is also equipped with radiant floor heating using hot water to heat the floors in the bedrooms throughout the house.

 

           Even with such a grand floor plan and open spaces; the home was designed with efficiency in mind.  Parts of the home were designed specifically to help passively heat different areas.  Features like this solar hallway (right) with an adobe wall for thermal mass help hold the warmth of the winter sunlight.  Southern winter sunlight comes through these windows and warms this adobe wall which holds and then later releases the sun’s energy back into the environment during the evening hours.  In addition, a trombe wall was installed in the dining room wall (left), creating yet another passive solar “heat source” for a southeastern corner area of the great room.

The electrical design includes a complete solar system which is integrated with the traditional grid, providing continuous and backup electrical power.  This home was designed to be "off the grid" meaning that you don't have to rely entirely on all of the city services.  Even if the power goes out, the bright open windows will ensure enough daylight comes through on a cloudy day.  The use of “solatubes” throughout the ceilings of the inner areas of the building bring in the equivalent of 250 watts additional light for each solatube fixture and skylights were placed on all the southern exposure rooflines for additional interior light as well as for summer ventilation.

 

In this mountain climate, there is cool air available every night all summer long.  Night ventilation is extremely effective to purge the house of excess heat and to cool the mass in the building in preparation for the next warm day.  The opening skylights are used as a thermal chimney and leaving only a few select windows open during the night creates cross ventilation throughout the building.  This natural approach to air-conditioning provides for an average interior summer temperature of 70-75 F even when the outside temperatures approach 100 F.

About Us….a permaculture design process

Metal roofing, collection gutters and  holding cisterns harvest and store water for distribution through the adjoining landscape.

The entire front of the property is a series of swales landscaped with native species trees, shrubs and wildflowers.

Bringing the outside in, custom kitchen tiles mirror the textures and visual appeal of the wildflower meadows on the property.

Recycled “scrap tile” combined with custom handcrafted tiles were used throughout the house for tub and shower enclosures, bathroom walls and backsplashes.

A European masonry heater provides thermal mass for storing and radiating heat into the space for more than 24 hours after the fire is out.

The solar hallway absorbs heat from the sun during the day and releases the heat back into the environment throughout the night,

Excavations were done throughout the site to determine soil compositions and ideal building placement for the support of organic gardens and surrounding landscaping.

The southern exposure trombe wall under construction.  The cinder blocks were then painted black and enclosed behind glass, matching the windows across the back of the house.

Do it yourself solar and wind energy

Build your own solar panels and wind turbines…..