Called one of the most sustainable homes in the US, the Full Plane Passive House was designed and built to both the Living Building Challenge and Passive House standards, incorporating net-zero energy, net-zero water, and all healthy and responsibly-sourced materials.
Featured in Portland Monthly, the Build It Green Tour, and the Portland Modern Homes Tour.
The home is oriented to the south both for views and capture of passive solar heating during the winter.
Metal and cedar siding contribute to a low-maintenance exterior.
The open living/dining/kitchen area is edged by three big eight-foot by eight-foot sliding doors, which fill the room with light, give a sense of spaciousness, and allow easy access to the adjacent wood deck. All doors and windows are triple-glazed for indoor comfort.
The galley-style kitchen anchors the open living/dining area. The simple cabinets are made of locally-sourced FSC big-leaf maple, and the counters are site-cast concrete, which is durable and patinas with age and use.
The half-bath features a composting toilet, a handmade sink by the owner's friend, and an upcycled wood vanity (repurposed from the owner's old coffee table).
The home's butterfly roof wasn't chosen for aesthetics alone. This roof form allows for a 4.8kW south-facing solar panel array (enough to meet the home's net-zero energy needs), and for easy water collection.
We estimate that more than 21,000 gallons of rainwater will fall on this roof in an average year. Harvested rainwater is routed from the roof to a 12,000 gallon cistern, where it's held and treated for potable use.
A gracious entry allows views to the rear yard. The wood floor and flanking stairs are made of locally-sourced FSC big leaf maple.
The compact yet airy entry features a custom-built front door, and a modern open-riser wood stair. A carefully-placed window at the top of the stair highlights a view of a neighboring tree, and promotes cross-ventilation via the stairwell.
The upstairs bath features a long sink hand-made by the owner's ceramicist friend. The sink looks across the adjacent hall to a window with skylight above.
The upstairs bath features a site-cast concrete bathtub (advisable only in a Passive House, as it would be too cold in typical construction) with a back-painted glass surround.
The bedroom's closets were designed as wardrobes for a more built-in appearance.