Strawbale home on the Olympia Solar Tour

Strawbale home

350 Ensley Lane SE

Tumwater, WA 98501

Owner: Heather Moore and Jim Dawson

Builder/architect/solar designer - Self

SYSTEMS

_x_Passive solar design

_x_Alternative/innovative building envelope/exterior walls (strawbale, SIP, Cob, ICF)

_x_Energy efficient windows/daylighting

_x_Water use reduction/conservation

MATERIALS

_x_Engineered wood materials

_x_Alternative framing materials

_x_Sustainable lumber (harvesting, reuse, local species, etc.)

_x_Low-toxic materials

_x_Recycled materials (contents, reclaimed, etc.)

_x_Minimization of materials (no paint on stucco, stained concrete floors, etc.)

_x_Construction waste reduction (job site recycling, shredding for mulch, soil stockpiling?

Passive solar strawbale home which is owner designed and owner built in urban growth area. Built on site of old detached garage, which was deconstructed for materials to use on house, 90% of materials were reused or recycled. House has a small foot print with less than 1000 square feet of living space. The house features non-toxic finishes, reused and salvaged materials, recycled plastic lumber, recycled Styrofoam/concrete forms (Rastra) for foundation, Soy based foam insulation for the roof, All energy efficient appliances and lighting, extra thick slab-on-grade with south facing orientation of glazing and dark colored floor to maximize passive solar design, insulated window shutters, radiant floor heating, energy efficient and low emission gas boiler for domestic and floor water heater. Rainwater is managed on site via a rain garden with drought and pesticide resistant native plants.

From down town Olympia: Go south on Capitol Way towards Tumwater. Turn Left onto Cleveland at the Safeway, pass the cemetery and take the first left after it onto Ensley, House is second on left behind address 526. Address is: 530 Ensley Ln SE Tumwater.