Weston Calgary House Web Page

Corner of 112 St. E and 338 Ave. E
(Municipality of Foothills)
RR 3, Site 4, Box 11
High, Alberta
T1V 1N3

17.75 acres (3/4 of a million square feet), plus an easement of 6 heavily-treed acres with river frontage, and a house with 7100 ft2 heated space.

One of the most energy efficient houses in the region. Built to R-2000 standards.


Views of the Highwood River from the slope access (easement). Great trout fishing location, and very private. Short walk down the treed slope from the basement walkout.

Owner's comments:

"The reason we selected this property to build in 1989 - the views. The mountain view was extensive, but routine - we could find that on many properties. But when the agent took us into the field to where we ultimately built, it was love-at-first-sight. On that cold, snowy evening - we saw the view of the Highwood river and valley to the north. Very unique for the prairies - all those tall Douglass Firs. We figured we could build on that site, and get the benefit of both view directions.

We negotiated with Highwood Ranches to buy an easement on the adjacent slope down to the river. The Alberta government wasn't allowing such environmentally sensitive areas such as this slope, to be attached to the smaller parcels when subdivisions were done. It legally belongs to the Smith's across the coulee from us. But they can't reach it easily from their side, so they don't miss it. And we've been paying the taxes on it all along. Our deal was supposed to be that we could convert the easement to our title whenever the authorities allowed it. We paid as much for the easement as the Smiths did for the rest of their parcel - per acre."

The north view towards the city. A little overgrown with poplar trees - the rejuvenated canyon is unusual for the Prairies - and we have a nice vantage point. Not to mention the 6-1/4 acres of Douglas Firs - as much as 100' high. Very rare on the prairies. We compare it to Edworthy park in Calgary, another north-facing river slope.

This house was designed and engineered to be energy efficient, comfortable, low maintenance, and functional.

A late summer (2001) view of the Weston House, before the 2002 landscaping.
Note how little direct sunlight enters the south facing windows. All by design.

An early winter (1995) photo of the House, before the external brickwork, and basic landscaping.
Note how all the south facing windows are fully flooded with warming sunlight on these winter days. By design, again.

  House of 100 Windows
    Modern Prairie Style homage to Oak Park
    One of the most energy efficient houses in Alberta"

    ADDRESS:                                             Corner of 112 St. E and 338 Ave. E
    MAILING ADDRESS:                            RR 3, Site 4, Box 11
                                                                   High River, Alberta
                                                                   T1V 1N3

DISTANCE AND TIME TO DOWNTOWN

    CALGARY:                                            52 km, 35 minutes minimum, 45 minutes normal, 50 minutes rush hour
    SQUARE FOOTAGE:                           approx 4100 ft2 in main house (1000 ft2 with 20 ft ceiling)
                                                                      1150 ft2 guest wing (insulation and electrical rough in stage only)
                                                                      1150 ft2 3 car garage and workshop
                                                                      700 ft2 walkout basement

total 7100 ft2 heated space

Concept:

The open floor plan exposes all the rooms of the house to the central atrium (which has been partially developed into an arboretum), and the living room, providing a very comfortable living experience. The house is large enough to provide numerous private spaces without the need for walls everywhere. Family members can sit in their reading room on the second level, and still be within earshot of the family room, while providing plenty of space between for privacy.

The acreage concept of living is exploited to the fullest by utilizing 100 windows, on all sides of the house, many of which are ventilating to allow effective cross-flow ventilation for the warmer months (few houses can boast a view from every room - including the bathrooms and laundry room). Furthermore, the windows are placed in a largely symmetrical pattern to provide a pleasing, classically "Prairie Style" exterior, as well as take advantage of the two beautiful views the acreage has to offer - the mountains to the south and west, and the Highwood River, canyon and treed slope to the north.

The 400' distance from the road, and 500' distance to the closest neighbour's house provide plenty of privacy, requiring that only a few of the windows have coverings. The windows also act to provide up to 51% of the heating requirements of the house, by utilizing the passive solar heat that enters from the south. Considerable research has been documented by industry and government, proving that even in this harsh northern climate, the sun can lower the energy costs of even as large a house as this, cost effectively, and provide a bright, comfortable living space year round. Balancing the potential for passive solar heating to overheat the sunspace, are 30 tons of insulated sunspace thermal mass in the form of a heated concrete floor (more than 1 metric tonne for every square metre of south facing glazing).

Other energy efficiency considerations include the R-2000 qualification. This federally sponsored program registers homes built to the highest standards of building science and construction, effectively balancing the cost of increasing energy efficiency with the cost of the energy saved. By computer modeling, the heat loss of this design was determined to be similar to that of a conventionally built house 1/3 the size. During the winter of 1995 (considered one of the coldest in 18 years), the total gas cost from mid October to May was a little over $600 - no evening or other setbacks, the four fireplaces, kitchen appliances, domestic hot water, and hot tub are all fuelled by natural gas, and this expense included the fixed $10/month utility fee.

The comfort level of the house was improved by utilizing radiant under-floor heating throughout the house, providing the perfect heating method for such an open design as this. To supplement this, an efficient air to air heat exchanger preserves the warm (or cool) air in the house, while constantly changing the air every 3 hours, removing odors, fumes, and excess humidity.

At almost every level, code requirements for the structure were exceeded, and double redundancies were installed to provide a safer, more comfortable, energy efficient, and low maintenance residence.

Front elevation from blueprints. All to scale.

A plan view of the main floor layout. There is only one real interior wall on the entire main floor of the house. Eleven feet long, separating the kitchen from the dining room. The rest of the floor is wide open except for a small water closet near the back entrance.

A plan view of the second floor. The atrium/living room space is open over second level. A hallway open to the atrium skirts the master bedroom suite on the left (with two ensuites), the laundry room, two smaller bedrooms, office and library. The guest wing layout over the garage - framed in with insulation. Presently used for storage for owner's possessions.

A plat of cross-sections through the house. All to scale - there were very few changes made to these final plans. The long railing on the upper-most section, upper level, and shorter railing between the dining room and living room. Note all the vaulted ceiling features. The house has only a partial basement - offering a better balance between the material excavated, and the weight of the house above.

More cross-sections through the house. Showing the wide-open floor plan and concept, and vaulted ceiling features. Nascor was challenged engineering this design, but exceeded code with stronger trusses.

Modern, energy efficient adaptation of the classic Chicago School," Prairie Style", standard cruciform with Usonian style Guest Wing.

The architectural community in the Oak Park Illinois area at the turn of the century, frequently referred to as the "Chicago School", are responsible for some of the most spectacular, elegant, and truly North American styled architecture ever designed. Famous architects such as Sullivan, Elmslie, Griffin, and Frank Lloyd Wright developed a style of prestige houses between 1903 and 1916, called the "Prairie style". The architects tried to design these houses to fit in with their surroundings, rather than conflict with them. They liberally used natural colour schemes and materials, and often spread the designs out to meld with the prairies they were built on. Hence the name "Prairie Style".

This style evolved simultaneously and shares many of the same features of the "Craftsman" style houses of the North American "Arts and Crafts" movement. While "Craftsman" houses were intended to be very affordable, basic, working class type homes, the Prairie style houses took the style to limits usually out of reach of any but the wealthiest of the period.

Both styles evolved as a rebellious response to the Victorian "Beau Arts" architecture and lifestyle of the period, where function was frequently sacrificed for form, and the overly ornate and elaborate, European, and frequently shabbily constructed houses and furniture were losing favour to the "democratic", "organic", sturdy, elegant but strong, practical, truly North American styled homes that defined the Arts and Crafts movement (commonly referred to as "Mission" style).

The 1950's and 60's saw a short return to this style, albeit on a smaller house scale, in the form of "Rancher" houses and bungalows.

Almost exactly 100 years after the first Arts and Crafts homes were built, a return to the same values (for many of the same reasons) is taking place in North America today. "Mission" style furniture is popular once again, and people are again recognizing that the elaborate, and not particularly functional or well built, European flavored houses and lifestyle does not really fit well with our North American heritage.

The Weston House is a modern salute to this lifestyle choice. The house has almost every feature a modern family could want, and packages a very efficient and contemporary group of appliances and features in a traditional, heavily oak clad interior. The house was designed for the lot, positioned to take best advantage of the northern river/canyon view, and the south-western Rocky Mountain view.

"We like to believe that the original "Chicago" school architects would approve of the modifications to their basic design concept. These architects were practical enough to recognize the necessity of changing materials to suit a changing economic climate, and to preserve dwindling natural resources."

GARAGE: Very large (24' x 48') attached garage adjacent to foyer. One long 18' by 7' double car garage door, and one 9' x 8' high single car garage door. Both garage doors special high efficiency, R-10.5, with dual glazed window portals. Top of line, quiet belt driven garage door opener on single garage door. Double door electrified for future garage door opener. Framed in separation from double car door side and single car door side. All underfloor heating under a specially re-enforced high stress 4" concrete slab. Large open workshop area adjacent to veranda and foyer. High efficiency solid core steel door with hidden closing mechanism between garage and main house.

ENTRANCE: Forest green stained preserved wood veranda with two storey high 10' roof overhang, Two twenty foot high brick columns, white, low level deck railing, 4 brass carriage lamps, 6' wide double 3' solid core, high efficiency R16 steel doors. High quality convertible screen/window storm doors.

WINDOWS: All external windows are high efficiency PVC units with red stained oak jambs. Bedrooms all have large casement windows for egress, while other venting windows are combination awning style. Window headers and overhangs specially designed to provide maximum solar gain in the coldest months, and zero solar gain in the warmest months. Normal dual glazing for all true south facing windows not including the guest wing south windows (to maximize passive solar gain), all west facing windows are heat mirrored to minimize solar gain, and all other windows are Low-E high R value glazings, to minimize heat loss.

ROOF: Engineered truss system, by NASCOR, incorporating special software and considerations to provide the high free standing south walls with a further vaulted ceiling feature. Roofing material is top of the line BPCO "Super Eclipse" asphalt shingles, warranted for 35 years. 3 steel capped false chimneys on roof. 5 turbine roof vents and 5 normal roof vents to provide more than adequate attic ventilation.
Main roof overhangs 4' over entire south and west facings to provide summer shading, and overhangs 2' on the north and east sides. 4' wide sub-roof bolted to walls over south facing windows, shading the main level windows. Attic insulated with recycled "Green" blown in cellulose insulation to an R value of 40 (R-2000 homes require at least one material used throughout the house be recycled). The vaulted ceiling areas are insulated to R-40 with fiberglass bats

WALL SYSTEM: Triple air barrier system incorporated to minimize air infiltration. NASCOR brand, solid core wall construction, R-20 polystyrene, with minimal thermal bridging. House is wrapped and taped with TYPAR brand, fiberglass re-enforced house wrap to reduce air infiltration. As per R-2000 requirements, special initiatives incorporated to seal 6 mil poly vapour/air barrier on inside of walls, caulked to framing, and joints taped.

FOUNDATION WALLS: All Preserved Wood Foundation walls - NASCOR brand, 2"x8" studs 8" o.c., with R-25 polystyrene insulation. Footings consist of PWF 2"x10" plates, installed on at least 10" coarse gravel drain rock, at least 54" below grade. Weeping tiles installed at base of foundation walls (entire perimeter), draining to a large, gravel filled dry well 20' north of walkout basement - to keep foundations dry, and reduce surface erosion in proximity to escarpment.
Application was made to locate house 20 metres from edge of escarpment (instead of standard 30 metres as per code), to better take advantage of the north view, and was approved by development appeal board in January 1994. Soiltec Geotechnical consultants confirmed the stability of the escarpment allowing the setback to be reduced.

EXTERIOR FINISH: South exposure is a blue grey stucco finish, while the other exposures use a similar coloured, high quality vinyl siding. All soffits are higher than average gauge ventilated aluminum. Eaves troughs and Fascia are a Forest green aluminum.

    INTERIOR COLOUR SCHEME: Oak trim throughout, stained burgundy red, 4 coats lacquer. Main floor linoleum - top of line Armstrong Solarium II vinyl, cream peach green combinations main floor tile - marbleized green Italian ceramic tiles (1275 ft2).
    Main floor slate - high gloss black and emerald green East Indian slate, in different patterns.
    Upstairs - carpeted with dense pile, imported rich hunter green carpeting, with heavy 7 lb underlay.

FOYER: Centrally located large foyer overlooking living and dining rooms, separated by a 2 storey high Oak archway, with 6' formal chandelier. Marbleized green Italian ceramic tile floor, underfloor heating, separate stairwell (carpeted), and upper passageway connecting guest wing and main house. Full north view of treed escarpment. Wired for electric gate and intercom. Closet with automatic light, and storage area under the front stairwell, access to garage and guest wing.

LIVING ROOM: Large sunken living room, with 20' high vaulted ceiling. Fully insulated, underfloor heated concrete floor, with high gloss finished, patterned dark green and black slate finish. Top of line Casablanca "Stealth" model ceiling fan with light and remote control. Red stained oak railing and trim. 1 wall picture light outlet. Open to almost entire area of house.

    FLOORS: All floors on main level (except Kitchen and nook), specially re-enforced, 6" thick high stress concrete, with 6 mil poly vapour barrier, 3" thick polystyrene insulation (R-12), and at least 8" coarse gravel drain rock base over packed or undisturbed sub grade.
    Concrete design to provide adequate thermal mass to prevent over heating from solar gain in winter, and reduce need for air conditioning in summer (Window and overhang design prevents sun from hitting thermal mass in summer).
    Kitchen, nook, and all other upper floor areas floored with 3/4" plywood over engineered wood I-beam system. U-lay brand solid core sub floor added to plywood for linoleum areas.
    Floor in garage and basement same as main level, but only 4" thick concrete.

DINING ROOM: Matching ceramic tiled, underfloor heated dining room, with reception area and large high efficiency direct vent 36" gas fireplace, with thermostat, variable flame valve, automatic variable blower and Red stained Oak mantle-piece with own power outlets. Matching formal chandelier to foyer. 3 ceiling halogen picture lights. Dish access port to kitchen. Tiffany style stained glass hanging ceiling lamp in reception area( built in timer). Central ceiling speaker tied into family room sound system for ambience music.

    KITCHEN: Large country kitchen with stove top island/bar table, and matching built in desk, and countertop access hatchway to dining room. Premium professional grade stainless steel gas cook top with dedicated downdraft ventilation, and overhead, preheated power dampened makeup air vent.
    72 cupboards and drawers by Kitchen Craft, "Opal" finished oak. High efficiency fluorescent under cabinet valence lighting, with wiring for future over cabinet valence lighting. Large pantry, fully shelved, with French door. Built in recycling bins. Colour coordinated double sink with extendable faucet. 1 bar sink on hall side of kitchen. Two faucets connected to water distilling system - another to fridge.
    Matching stainless steel self cleaning double oven, with infra red broilers. Matching stainless steel European water saving dishwasher. KitchenAid trash compactor with stainless trim. Very high efficiency Amana 25 ft3 side by side refrigerator, with ice and water dispenser, and stainless steel trim. Double microwave oven shelves.
    Ceiling fan and light over island. Water closet with quiet low volume 1.6 gallon/flush, one piece toilet, and pedestal vanity. Large kitchen nook area, in centre and overlooking entire main floor of house, with red stained oak railing, and Tiffany style stained glass hanging ceiling light. 2 Tiffany style stained glass hanging ceiling lights over desk, which is wired for AGT and an outlet.
    Numerous wall outlets and 1 appliance garage. 2 special pattern glass block windows. Underfloor heat throughout. 24 hour ventilation through air to air heat exchanger - booster in W.C.
    2 ceiling speakers tied into family room sound system for ambience music. Special TV shelf with cable outlet connected to satellite system in family room.

Hot Tub: 3 person, granite grey hot tub (Spa), with numerous upgrades, including heat exchanger, ozone-ator, "Stealth" type low wattage 24 hour filter pump, electronic controls, extra jets, custom stainless steel handles, etc.

FAMILY ROOM: Large 23' by 17' sunken family room, with 9' ceiling, adjacent to back deck, nook, and atrium and hot tub. All underfloor heating, with matching ceramic tiles with grey tile border. Large 42" high efficiency direct vent gas fireplace with brass trim, thermostat, variable flame valve, variable automatic blower, and Red stained oak mantle piece with own power outlets.
Numerous outlets to serve home electronics centre, satellite cable box, front and rear pair speaker wiring installed for future Surround-sound home theatre installation. Central speaker junction for entire house sound system. Two Tiffany style stained glass hanging ceiling light fixtures, independently switched. 2 ceiling halogen picture lights.

    ATRIUM: All rooms in house overlook the Atrium or living room. 20 foot high ceiling, with matching "Casablanca" Stealth model ceiling fan and light, with remote control. Two 2'x 4', centrally located high efficiency, heat mirrored, motorized venting skylights.
    24 large windows on 3 sides of room. Central floor drain with self priming trap. Thick reinforced concrete floor, with differently patterned high gloss dark green and black slate finish. Switched outlet for Christmas tree. Approximately 700 ft2, and developed into a four season arboretum.
    Numerous tropical plants and trees, the largest in castored cedar planters. Panoramic south mountain view.
    Central stairwell and landing overlooking most of house, open tread design with wrap around carpet, 24 hour 18 watt fluorescent landing light.

UPSTAIRS LANDING: Designed to be a play area for children, this carpeted space immediately in front of the bedrooms is in the centre of the house, receives the central staircase from downstairs, and overlooks the Atrium, living room and kitchen nook.
A specially designed gate matching the red oak stained railing, prevents the children from falling down the stairs. A large well lit dedicated closet can be used for toys or other storage.

Upstairs Special Considerations: Ceiling penetrations were minimized in this design. To prevent breaking the vapour barrier between the heated space and the insulation in the attic. Sconce lighting, fresh-air supply vents, exhaust-air vents, and bathroom heat lamps are all wall-mounted to minimize energy loss by air escaping through leaks in the air-tight envelope of the heated space.

MASTER BEDROOM: This large room has a double French door (glass paneled) opening onto the balcony (extension of the upper passageway) overlooking the entire house. In addition, a large red stained double hung window on the balcony allows further ventilation ability (as well as view) from the bedroom, when the doors are closed. Few bedrooms can boast windows on three of it's four walls. Another fireplace identical to the one in the library provides supplemental heating and comfort, although this is the only room in the house where the underfloor heating was doubled up to provide adequate heating capacity in the coldest weather.
Two matching "Arts and Crafts Aztec" styled Tiffany style stained glass hanging ceiling fixtures, connected to a 4-way switch/dimmer system supplements the wall sconce at the door. Room exists for a T.V. and/or sound system on the red stained oak fireplace mantle piece. Upper wall mount speaker wires are roughed in to provide the room with stereo sound capability. 3 large windows on the south and one large casement window on the west side provide plenty of light, as well as a mountain view to this room.

    ENSUITES: This master bedroom enjoys 2 full bathroom ensuites, as well as a large built in red stained oak drawer and cabinet system to replace conventional bedroom furniture, while utilizing space effectively and matching the decor of the house. The first bathroom has a large 42" shower stall with pressure balanced faucet, vapour proof shower stall light, heat lamp, low volume single piece toilet (with a mountain view), and matching red stained oak vanity cabinet and sink, and west (mountain) facing window. Outside of the room is a walk in closet with clothes hangars on either side, and a concealed wall safe for valuables.
    The second bathroom boasts a even larger 48" shower stall with pressure balanced faucet and a seat, vapour proof shower stall light, heat lamp, a large built in red stained oak dressing table cabinet/drawer system with sink, two river-view windows, a seating space, and a corner air jetted whirlpool tub with red stained oak trim. The tub boasts electronic controls, automatic purger, and an air preheater to keep the water warm while churning up the water, and two windows - one west and one north. The water closet has another mountain view window, another low volume single piece toilet, and a matching bidet. The bathroom has its own very large walk in closet, with 2 sides of clothes hangers at different levels, and a built in drawer unit.
    The space between the bathrooms is occupied by a double sided closet shared by the adjacent laundry room.

LAUNDRY: Located logically next to the rooms generating the most laundry, this room has a couple of unique features. The first, is a linen closet that is accessible by a door from the passageway, but is open to the laundry room on the other side - so linens don't have to be hauled any further than the door to the room. In addition, an open closet between the master bedroom ensuites and the laundry room allows laundry hampers and a clothes hanger to be shared between the two rooms.
Laundry can be passed into the laundry room without leaving the bedroom, and vice versa, clean laundry can be passed directly to the ensuites closets, all without hauling materials out of the laundry room. Two wall fluorescent fixtures, and a river view window provide lighting. A dedicated red stained oak cabinet houses the stainless steel laundry sink next to the washer and dryer. Self-priming floor drain protects against accidental over-flows.

CHILDREN'S BEDROOMS: 2 identical bedrooms, each with Tiffany style stained glass wall sconce light fixtures, and large closets with lights. Space was sacrificed in the bedrooms to expand the shared space on the landing. Wall mounted fresh-air supply vents.

BATHROOM: A spacious bathroom to serve the two smaller bedrooms, again with a low volume single piece toilet, wall-mounted heat lamp, window with river view, and a long, beautiful red stained oak vanity cabinet.

OFFICE: In a similar treatment, the office shares an open wall to the south, and the river view to the north. Two ceiling fluorescent lamps provide adequate light for an office. 4 dedicated office outlets and 1 AGT outlet are designed for use with a computer and fax machine. the office could be converted to a 4th bedroom if required.

LIBRARY: With an open wall to the passageway overlooking the living room, this carpeted room has a spectacular view of the river to the north and the mountains to the southwest. A 24" high efficiency, black trim, variable flame and blower, thermostatically controlled direct vent fireplace in the corner adds to the intimacy of the room. A single large Tiffany style stained glass hanging ceiling fixture adds a reading light.

FIREPLACES: There are four side-vented high-efficiency fireplaces in the house. Each so efficient they are better at heat transfer than many conventional forced-air furnaces in city houses. They were selected not only for aesthetic reasons, but to provide a back-up heating system in the event electricity is out for an extended time in cold weather. They can heat the house alone - no electricity required.
Extra features include variable speed blower fans and variable flame adjustments. Quiet and clean, and they meet all the R-2000 requirements because they're sealed units, getting their combustion air from the outside. No chimneys to sweep either.

FOYER: Carpeted stairwell and 42" wide passageway, overlooking main level foyer, with view to north of treed escarpment. A large semi circular feature window over the main doors and the elliptical oak archway separating the foyer from the main house, add to the beauty of this space. Tiffany style stained glass wall sconces are used to light the area. Entrance to Guest wing (undeveloped - roughed in electrical only). Framed for future window installation between the recreation room in the guest wing and the foyer.

    GUEST WING: Only the framing, insulation, poly, plumbing roof vents and electrical rough in are in place in the area awaiting future finishing. From the upper passageway in the foyer, the guest wing is sealed from the rest of the house until needed by an insulated steel door. The first room is the large recreation room, with vaulted ceiling, windows on 3 sides (including a rough in interior window into the foyer), cable outlet and rough in for a ceiling fan.
    The second room is a large bedroom suite with river view to the north, and a full ensuite bathroom, complete with heat lamp.
    The third room is a very large bedroom suite, again with a full ensuite bathroom. This room has windows fully on three sides. A rough in fireplace in the corner will make this room the perfect guest room.
    The fourth room is a water closet to serve the recreation room.

BASEMENT: Contains the mechanical room with the boiler, heat exchanger, hot water tank, pressure tank, water softener and distiller. A second windowless room next to the mechanical room is slated to be turned into a darkroom with its own sink.
The main basement is a 600 ft2 room with two large windows, another high efficiency steel door and sliding window opening and screen door underneath the kitchen deck, to a walk out only 70' from the treed escarpment. All insulated underfloor heat - of course. Nascor 2" x 8" preserved wood foundation walls with very high R-25 insulation. We never needed the underfloor heat on in the winter in this room.

HEATING SYSTEM: All floor areas in house, garage and basement installed with underfloor heat (excluding undeveloped guest wing upper level, and under central staircase on basement level). High efficiency (85%) 235,000 BTU boiler, power vented out wall to increase efficiency, capable of heating entire structure, and an 80 gallon domestic hot water tank. House divided into 11 zones, each independently controlled with a thermostat. Hydro-board in mechanical room has an additional future zone capacity.
Very high efficiency (75% seasonal), 300 cfm air to air heat exchanger (LifeBreath), with scrubber and electronic filter connected to all rooms in house. Exhaust is taken from bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry rooms, and fresh air is brought in to remaining rooms. Ventilation is on 24 hours as per R-2000 requirements, changing out all the air in the house every 3 hours. System designed and modeled to consume approximately 130 GJ of gas and electricity every year, with a 50% contribution from passive solar gains, for an approximate gas cost of $600 to $700 per year at 1996 prices (last year owners occupied house).

ELECTRICAL: A 200 amp service, and over 80 circuits provide ample electrical capacity. Numerous special considerations have been incorporated, such as:
- four 24 hour aisle lights to light the sunken main floor room stairs
- numerous dimmers, 3-way and 4-way switches, ceiling pot lights, picture lights
- booster switches in the bathrooms to increase exhaust ventilation
- dedicated outdoor Christmas light switches
- designer light fixtures
- wall sconce lights used upstairs instead of ceiling fixtures, to reduce the number of ceiling vapour barrier penetrations to keep the house more energy efficient
- and heat lamps in every bathroom

OTHER FEATURES: 5 gallon per minute well, choked back to 3 gallons per minute to preserve well integrity, connected to a 1250 gallon cistern, hooked into the house.
A 1000 gallon concrete septic tank with alarm and pump, feeding into a 500' septic field, for more than adequate drainage capacity

BACK DECK: High efficiency, high R value back door with special positive sealing sliding window. Solid core vinyl coated screen door. Closet next to back door. Long 6' wide preserved wood deck overlooking treed slope and river and canyon view to north. White painted aluminum stairwell and railing installation, with safety glass panels to maintain view. Aluminum gate at top of stairwell to keep the little (and not so little) animals from climbing up the deck.. 3 exterior wall lights, 2 outlets.
A multi-level, multi-functional entertainment space is possible with further deck development. With a covered gazebo, and a place to watch the stars on the clear and dark evenings. A great place to watch the satellites pass overhead. Should be a great vantage point for the northern lights too.

2002 Landscaping Project: In 2002, an expensive landscaping project was started as a head-start for the owners return from overseas.
Included were a number of spruce trees, ash trees, railway ties around the front of the house with various shrubs, and a long row of Carrigana plants to help block the municipal road view. As well as an automatic irrigation system to make sure they received enough water to survive.

June 1994 view of construction. Solid Nascor styro-foam insulation. The best material for the job.

A summer (2001) view of the Weston Homestead, before the 2002 landscaping.
Note how little direct sunlight enters the south facing windows. All by design.
(20010820-House10-DSC00010.jpg)

An early winter (1994) photo of the Homestead, before the external brickwork, and basic landscaping.
(there's a pile of dirt just to the left of the house).
Note that all the south facing windows are fully flooded with warming sunlight. By design, again.
(19941200 W00016 Calgary Acreage .jpg)

Many photos featured on this page were taken from our camcorder during an August 2001 visit.

We CAD'ed The plans ourselves in late 1993 and early 1994, on an old DOS program called "EasyCad", on our old 386 SX16 desktop. Near top of the line when we first bought it in '89. I recently exported the FCD files from EasyCad, converted them to AutoCad dxf files, imported them into Visio, and exported wmf files to PowerPoint, where the final presentations above were prepared. All that, and the dimensions never came through. Eventually I'll rebuild the blueprints with the dimensions.

Alice posed on the porch - summer 1996. Again - no sunlight into the main house.
Lots of long grass prairie all around. No lawn sown yet.
We just love our porch swing - with a full mountain view.
(19960800 W00004 Calgary Acreage .jpg)

Another vantage point view from the south-west.
The old 1985 Camry (Toy), and 1986 Chevy truck (Grunt) parked in front of the garage.
(19960800 W00003 Calgary Acreage .jpg)

ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT
(or "Why does the house look the way it does?")

Modern, energy efficient adaptation of the classic Chicago School," Prairie Style", standard cruciform with Usonian style Guest Wing.

The 1950's and 60's saw a short return to this style, albeit on a smaller house scale, in the form of "Rancher" houses and bungalows.

We like to believe that the original "Chicago" school architects would approve of the modifications to their basic design concept. These architects were practical enough to recognize the necessity of changing materials to suit a changing economic climate, and to preserve dwindling natural resources.

House of 100 Windows
Modern Prairie Style homage to Oak Park
"One of the most energy efficient houses in Alberta"

OWNERS AND BUILDER:                    John and Alice Weston
ADDRESS:                                               Corner of 112 St. E and 338 Ave. E
MAILING ADDRESS:                            RR 3, Site 4, Box 11
                                                                   High River, Alberta
                                                                   T1V 1N3
PHONE:                                                    938-3670 (Calgary local - not long distance)

DISTANCE AND TIME TO DOWNTOWN

CALGARY:                                             52 km, 35 minutes minimum, 45 minutes normal, 50 minutes rush hour
SQUARE FOOTAGE:                             approx 4100 ft2 in main house (1000 ft2 with 20 ft ceiling)
                                                                  1150 ft2 guest wing (insulation and electrical rough in stage only)
                                                                  1150 ft2 3 car garage and workshop
                                                                  700 ft2 walkout basement

The Views... why we chose this particular acreage.

We bought the raw land in the early spring 1989. Shortly before the Flames won the Stanley Cup, and we bought the house in Queensland. We chose that house because it was closer to the acreage than other ends of the city.

The reason we selected this property - the views. The mountain view was relatively ordinary - we could find that on many places. But when the agent took us into the field, to where we ultimately built, it was love-at-first-sight. On that cold, snowy evening - we saw the view of the Highwood river and valley to the north. Very unique for the prairies. We figured we could build on that site, and get the benefit of both view directions.

The north view towards the city. A little overgrown with poplar trees - the rejuvenated canyon is unusual for the Prairies - and we have a nice vantage point. Not to mention the 6-1/4 acres of Dougals Firs - as much as 100' high. Very rare on the prairies. I compare it to Edworthy park in Calgary, another north-facing river slope, fully treed in Douglas Firs.
(20010820-House308-DSC00308.jpg)

We'll pare back some of the young poplars when we return to live here again.
(20010820-House309-DSC00309.jpg)

These photos were taken on a misty day. The Rocky Mountains are prominent to the south and west - visible from almost every room in the house. By design. We'll replace this pic when we get a better one. That's the Highwood river valley in the foreground.
(20010820-House330-DSC00330.jpg)

In the winter of 1993-1994, we started the plans in earnest. Revenues looked good, so we decided to start construction in the Spring 1994. We finished in November, and moved in about November 27th. A few days later, Southward decided to terminate my contract - so the future looked uncertain.

	CONCEPT: This house was designed and engineered to be energy efficient, comfortable, low maintenance, and functional. A view from the south road, from the south east. Tops of the large Douglas Firs can be seen on the 200' slope down to the Highwood River, behind the house.
The house was designed to complement and fit in with the rolling prairies. (20010820-House11-DSC00011.jpg)

Concept: The open floor plan exposes all the rooms of the house to the central atrium (which has been partially developed into an arboretum), and the living room, providing a very comfortable living experience. The house is large enough to provide numerous private spaces without the need for walls everywhere. Alice can sit in her reading room on the second level, and still be within earshot of the family room, while providing plenty of space between for privacy. The acreage concept of living is exploited to the fullest by utilizing 100 windows, on all sides of the house, many of which are ventilating to allow effective cross-flow ventilation for the warmer months (few houses can boast a view from every room - including the bathrooms and laundry room). Furthermore, the windows are placed in a largely symmetrical pattern to provide a pleasing, classically "Prairie Style" exterior, as well as take advantage of the two beautiful views the acreage has to offer - the mountains to the south and west, and the Highwood River, canyon and treed slope to the north. The 400' distance from the road, and 500' distance to the closest neighbour's house provide plenty of privacy, requiring that only a few of the windows have coverings. The windows also act to provide up to 51% of the heating requirements of the house, by utilizing the passive solar heat that enters from the south. Considerable research has been documented by industry and government, proving that even in this harsh northern climate, the sun can lower the energy costs of even as large a house as this, cost effectively, and provide a bright, comfortable living space year round. Balancing the potential for passive solar heating to overheat the sunspace, are 30 tons of insulated sunspace thermal mass in the form of a heated concrete floor (more than 1 metric tonne for every square metre of south facing glazing). Other energy efficiency considerations include the R-2000 qualification. This federally sponsored program registers homes built to the highest standards of building science and construction, effectively balancing the cost of increasing energy efficiency with the cost of the energy saved. By computer modeling, the heat loss of this design was determined to be similar to that of a conventionally built house 1/3 the size. During the winter of 1995 (considered one of the coldest in 18 years), the total gas cost from mid October to May was a little over $600 - no evening or other setbacks, the four fireplaces, kitchen appliances, domestic hot water, and hot tub are all fuelled by natural gas, and this expense included the fixed $10/month utility fee. The comfort level of the house was improved by utilizing radiant under-floor heating throughout the house, providing the perfect heating method for such an open design as this. To supplement this, an efficient air to air heat exchanger preserves the warm (or cool) air in the house, while constantly changing the air every 3 hours, removing odors, fumes, and excess humidity. At almost every level, code requirements for the structure were exceeded, and double redundancies were installed to provide a safer, more comfortable, energy efficient, and low maintenance residence.

One of our favourite summer evening vantage points.
Watching the mountain view and neighbourhood activities, from our deck swing.
(20010820-House324-DSC00324.jpg)


Windows in the Atrium are larger than the other windows on the south side. (20010820-House25-DSC00025.jpg)	Moving westward towards the family room. (20010820-House26-DSC00026.jpg)		On this mid-summer's day - no direct sunlight enters the sun-space in the atrium during the hottest hours of the day. (20010820-House30-DSC00030.jpg)

Details: ROOF: Engineered truss system, by NASCOR, incorporating special software and considerations to provide the high free standing south walls with a further vaulted ceiling feature. Roofing material is top of the line BPCO "Super Eclipse" asphalt shingles, warranteed for 35 years. 3 steel capped false chimneys on roof. 5 turbine roof vents and 5 normal roof vents to provide more than adequate attic ventilation.		Main roof overhangs 4' over entire south and west facings to provide summer shading, and overhangs 2' on the north and east sides. 4' wide subroof bolted to walls over south facing windows, shading the main level windows. Attic insulated with recycled "Green" blown in cellulose insulation to an R value of 40 (R-2000 homes require at least one material used throughout the house be recycled). The vaulted ceiling areas are insulated to R-40 with fibreglass batts


The family room exposure on the mian floor, and the master bedroom on the second floor. (20010820-House31-DSC00031.jpg)	Our old C band 10' satellite dish west of the main house. Our closest neighbours in the background. Septic field to right. (20010820-House32-DSC00032.jpg)		Family room on main floor and master bedroom suite (with side vented gas fireplaces in corner on both levels). The chimney is false. (20010820-House33-DSC00033.jpg)


Back deck with kitchen and walk-out. Two smaller bedrooms above kitchen. (20010820-House48-DSC00048.jpg)	Back view of family room and master suite, next to upper level bedrooms, and kitchen below. With walk-out below kitchen. (20010820-House55-DSC00055.jpg)		A little dirt splashed up against walk-out walls. The tenants keep their dog-houses on the deck behind the kitchen. (20010820-House56-DSC00056.jpg)

Details: FOUNDATION WALLS: All Preserved Wood Foundation walls - NASCOR brand, 2"x8" studs 8" o.c., with R-25 polystyrene insulation. Footings consist of PWF 2"x10" plates, installed on at least 10" coarse gravel drain rock, at least 54" below grade. Weeping tiles installed at base of foundation walls (entire perimeter), draining to a large, gravel filled dry well 20' north of walkout basement - to keep foundations dry, and reduce surface erosion in proximity to escarpment.		Application was made to locate house 20 metres from edge of escarpment (instead of standard 30 metres as per code), to better take advantage of the north view, and was approved by development appeal board in January 1994. Soiltec Geotechnical consultants confirmed the stability of the escarpment allowing the setback to be reduced.


A view towards the dining room and on upper level, the office and library. Garage and guest wing to left. (20010820-House57-DSC00057.jpg)	View to south west of deck, walk-out, kitchen, and upper bedrooms. (20010820-House61-DSC00061.jpg)		View pf foyer, garage and guest wing (upper). Note the side vents for the high-efficiency fireplaces in the dining room and library. (20010820-House65-DSC00065.jpg)

A plan view of the second floor. The atrium/living room space is open over second level. A hallway open to the atrium skirts the master bedroom suite on the left (with two ensuites), the laundry room, tow smaller bedrooms, office and library. Stained oak railing along hallway. The guest wing layout over the garage - to date only framed in. Although all the insulation is in place. We use the space for storage of all our furniture and possessions. Some cross-section details of the foundation and 2nd floor joist system are included on this plat.

Oak trim throughout, stained burgundy red, 4 coats lacquer. Main floor lino - top of line Armstrong Solarium II vinyl, cream peach green combinations main floor tile - marblized green Italian ceramic tiles (1275 ft2).

Main floor slate - high gloss black and emerald green East Indian slate, in different patterns.

Upstairs - carpeted with dense pile, imported rich hunter green carpeting, with heavy 7 lb underlay.


From the upper level in the foyer. One of the twin doors open. Chandelier over entrance. (20010820-House292-DSC00292.jpg)	View higher up showing the half-moon window over the front doors. (20010820-House209-DSC00209.jpg)

Details: FOYER: Centrally located large foyer overlooking living and dining rooms, separated by a 2 storey high Oak archway, with 6' formal chandelier. Marblized green Italian ceramic tile floor, underfloor heating, separate stairwell (carpeted), and upper passageway connecting guest wing and main house.	Full north view of treed escarpment. Wired for electric gate and intercom. Closet with automatic light, and storage area under the front stairwell, access to garage and guest wing.


The Chandelier weighs over 200 pounds, and is has hundreds of lucite pieces. (20010820-House210-DSC00210.jpg)	Our 1988 Calgary Olympics flag hanging over the second stairwell in the foyer. (20010820-House214-DSC00214.jpg)

Foyer ceiling with lucite chandelier. (20010820-House93-DSC00093.jpg)	Front door. Second stairwell. Screen door. (20010820-House94-DSC00094.jpg)

View from the second stairwell into the house from the foyer. Into the living room, and beyond to the main stairwell. (20010820-House218-DSC00218.jpg)	A view north from the foyer. To the treed slope and canyon beyond. (20010820-House89-DSC00089.jpg)

View west to living room on left, and dining room on right. (20010820-House220-DSC00220.jpg)	Another view showing that the living room is sunken about 18" lower than the foyer/dining room level. (20010820-House221-DSC00221.jpg)

A plat of cross-sections through the house. All to scale - there were very few changes made to these final plans. The long railing on the upper-most section, upper level, and shorter railing between the dining room and living room. Note all the vaulted ceiling features. The house has only a partial basement - better balance between the material excavated, and the weight of the house above.

	Details: LIVING ROOM: Large sunken living room, with 20' high vaulted ceiling. Fully insulated, underfloor heated concrete floor, with high gloss finished, patterned dark green and black slate finish. Top of line Casablanca "Stealth" model ceiling fan with light and remote control. Red stained oak railing and trim. 1 wall picture light outlet. Open to almost entire area of house.
Overlooking the living room. Tenants on the main stairwell. Dining room to right. (20010820-House04-DSC00004.jpg)

A view from the main stairwell towards the foyer, over-looking the living room (unfurnished). Note the large oak arch between the main house and the foyer. (20010820-House01-DSC00001.jpg)	An early photo of the detailed slate floor in the living room and atrium. (19970200 W00017 Calgary Acreage .jpg)
	Details: FLOORS: All floors on main level (except Kitchen and nook), specially re-enforced, 6" thick high stress concrete, with 6 mil poly vapour barrier, 3" thick polystyrene insulation (R-12), and at least 8" coarse gravel drain rock base over packed or undisturbed subgrade. Concrete design to provide adequate thermal mass to prevent over heating from solar gain in winter, and reduce need for air conditioning in summer (Window and overhang design prevents sun from hitting thermal mass in summer). Kitchen, nook, and all other upper floor areas floored with 3/4" plywood over engineered wood I-beam system. U-lay brand solid core subfloor added to plywood for lino areas. Floor in garage and basement same as main level, but only 4" thick concrete.
View showing the ceiling features over the living room and atrium. Note the ceiling fan and two motorized, high efficiency skylights in the atrium. That's the master-bedroom suite in background on second level. (20010820-House92-DSC00092.jpg)


Another view of the living room - with one of our ficus trees - looking a little sad. (20010820-House101-DSC00101.jpg)	View into the dining room from the living room. Fireplace in far corner. (20010820-House102-DSC00102.jpg)

Living room with dining room on left. Foyer in background (20010820-House07-DSC00007.jpg)

Ficus tree in living room. Better detail of slate tile work. (20010820-House96-DSC00096.jpg)	View into the dining room. Showing the chandelier over the dining room table. Access port to kitchen in wall behind. (20010820-House100-DSC00100.jpg)

Details: DINING ROOM: Matching ceramic tiled, underfloor heated dining room, with reception area and large high efficiency direct vent 36" gas fireplace, with thermostat, variable flame valve, automatic variable blower and Red stained Oak mantlepiece with own power outlets. Matching formal chandelier to foyer. 3 ceiling halogen picture lights. Dish access port to kitchen.	Tiffany style stained glass hanging ceiling lamp in reception area( built in timer). Central ceiling speaker tied into family room sound system for ambience music.


Dining room. (20010820-House98-DSC00098.jpg)	Fireplace and tiffany lamp in dining room reception area. (20010820-House99-DSC00099.jpg)

Wall between the dining room and the kitchen. With access port between the two rooms. Controls on walls for the ceiling fans. (20010820-House146-DSC00146.jpg)	Dining room corner. (20010820-House148-DSC00148.jpg)

More cross-sections through the house. Showing the wide-open floor plan and concept, and vaulted ceiling features. Nascor had trouble engineering this design, but managed with stronger trusses.


Alice in the kitchen. Fabulous design - large enough for almost any function. All stained oak cabinets and drawers - hard to beat the storage space here. (20010820-House121-DSC00121.jpg)	Looking past the kitchen towards the foyer. Two tiffany lamps over second island. Main stairwell to right. (20010820-House122-DSC00122.jpg)

Details: KITCHEN: Large country kitchen with stove top island/bar table, and matching built in desk, and countertop access hatchway to dining room. Premium professional grade stainless steel gas cooktop with dedicated downdraft ventilation, and overhead, preheated power dampened makeup air vent.	72 cupboards and drawers by Kitchen Craft, "Opal" finished oak. High efficiency florescent under cabinet valence lighting, with wiring for future over cabinet valence lighting. Large pantry, fully shelved, with French door. Built in recycling bins. Colour coordinated double sink with extendable faucet. 1 bar sink on hall side of kitchen. Two faucets connected to water distilling system - another to fridge.


Overlooking the living room from the kitchen. (20010820-House128-DSC00128.jpg)	Kitchen details - the access port to the dining room behind, and small bar sink on hall side corner. Even a TV shelf with cable outlet (not being used here). (20010820-House129-DSC00129.jpg)

Our tenants have used the main island as a picture stand. Stovetop behind. (20010820-House130-DSC00130.jpg)	View north to the sink over the island. The view from this window is great - the slope and valley again. Garbage compactor visible here. (20010820-House131-DSC00131.jpg)

The door leads to the large walk-in pantry, with a glass door. Large stainless steel doored high-efficiency refrigerator. (20010820-House132-DSC00132.jpg)	Corner feature next to fridge. Pantry on other side. Water closet behind. (20010820-House133-DSC00133.jpg)

Another view of corner feature with cabinets above fridge. (20010820-House134-DSC00134.jpg)	View of sinks and stove-top and twin ovens behind. (20010820-House135-DSC00135.jpg)

Details: Matching stainless steel self cleaning double oven, with infra red broilers. Matching stainless steel European water saving dishwasher. Kitchenaid trash compactor with stainless trim. Very high efficiency Amana 25 ft3 side by side refrigerator, with ice and water dispenser, and stainless steel trim. Double microwave oven shelves.	Ceiling fan and light over island. Water closet with quiet low volume 1.6 gallon/flush, one piece toilet, and pedestal vanity. Large kitchen nook area, in centre and overlooking entire main floor of house, with red stained oak railing, and Tiffany style stained glass hanging ceiling light. 2 Tiffany style stained glass hanging ceiling lights over desk, which is wired for AGT and an outlet.


Better view of the kitchen island with cook top. There is a downdraft ventilator behind the cook top that sucks gases down and out of the house. Wood chopping block on one side of cook top, and granite insert on other side. Superior grade Formica countertop material. Top-of-the-line cushioned linoleum on floor. Not as easy to break dishes ion this flooring. (20010820-House136-DSC00136.jpg)

View into the house from sink area. (20010820-House137-DSC00137.jpg)	View towards the nook past the fridge. (20010820-House138-DSC00138.jpg)

Close-up of Viking brand professional grade ovens, next to double microwave oven shelves. Appliance garage on left. (20010820-House139-DSC00139.jpg)	View into atrium from kitchen. Note the small bar sink in corner on hallway. (20010820-House140-DSC00140.jpg)

Another view into the house - of the main stairwell. Note the lighted ceiling fan over cook top. (20010820-House141-DSC00141.jpg)	View towards the nook and family room across cook top. You can just see the down draft vent behind the cook top. (20010820-House142-DSC00142.jpg)

View into the kitchen, with pantry in far corner. (20010820-House143-DSC00143.jpg)	View towards the family room. (20010820-House144-DSC00144.jpg)

Details: Numerous wall outlets and 1 appliance garage. 2 special pattern glass block windows. Underfloor heat throughout. 24 hour ventilation through air to air heat exchanger - booster in W.C..	2 ceiling speakers tied into family room sound system for ambience music. Special T.V. shelf with cable outlet connected to satellite system in family room.


View down hallway towards family room. (20010820-House145-DSC00145.jpg)

Across the desk showing one of the Tiffany style lamps. (20010820-House260-DSC00260.jpg)	Shelves, cupboards, and drawers galore. (20010820-House261-DSC00261.jpg)


Behind the kitchen nook, is the hot tub. Complete with its own mountain view to the south-west. (20010820-House111-DSC00111.jpg)	Hot tub with family room fireplace in background. It is possible to sit in the hot tub and enjoy the entertainment center in the family room, as well as the fireplace. (20010820-House112-DSC00112.jpg)

Details: Hot Tub. 3 person, granite grey hot tub (Spa), with numerous upgrades, including heat exchanger, ozonator, "Stealth" type low wattage 24 hour filter pump, electronic controls, extra jets, custom stainless steel handles, etc.


View from the nook into the large family room. Large sealed, high-efficiency gas fireplace, wall vented, in the corner. (20010820-House113-DSC00113.jpg)	Another view towards the entertainment center in the family room. (20010820-House114-DSC00114.jpg)

Details: FAMILY ROOM: Large 23' by 17' sunken family room, with 9' ceiling, adjacent to back deck, nook, and atrium and hot tub. All underfloor heating, with matching ceramic tiles with grey tile border. Large 42" high efficiency direct vent gas fireplace with brass trim, thermostat, variable flame valve, variable automatic blower, and Red stained oak mantle piece with own power outlets.	Numerous outlets to serve home electronics centre, satellite cable box, front and rear pair speaker wiring installed for future Surround-sound home theatre installation. Central speaker junction for entire house sound system. Two Tiffany style stained glass hanging ceiling light fixtures, independently switched. 2 ceiling halogen picture lights.


View to north in family room. Another great slope and valley view beyond. Tiffany style lamp. (20010820-House115-DSC00115.jpg)	View to south in family room. Hot tub in background, and kitchen nook to left. (20010820-House116-DSC00116.jpg)

View into house from family room. kitchen nook and hot tub, and atrium beyond. (20010820-House117-DSC00117.jpg)	This short wall contains all the plumbing, heating, and electrical wiring to the second floor. Its the back of the closet next to the deck entrance. (20010820-House118-DSC00118.jpg)


View of one of the Stealth ceiling fans, with the motorized skylights. It was a hot day outside - but the house was cool, as per the design. (20010820-House103-DSC00103.jpg)	With windows that open on all sides of the house, and these motorized skylights, it is easy to vent the heat out of the house if it ever overheats. (20010820-House104-DSC00104.jpg)

Details: ATRIUM: All rooms in house overlook the Atrium or living room. 20 foot high ceiling, with matching "Casablanca" Stealth model ceiling fan and light, with remote control. Two 2'x 4', centrally located high efficiency, heat mirrored, motorized venting skylights.	24 large windows on 3 sides of room. Central floor drain with self priming trap. Thick reinforced concrete floor, with differently patterned high gloss dark green and black slate finish. Switched outlet for Christmas tree. Approximately 700 ft2, and developed into a four season arboretum.


View down from main stairwell towards hot tub and nook, with family room behind. (20010820-House08-DSC00008.jpg)	View towards the nook from the Atrium. (20010820-House06-DSC00006.jpg)

The main stairwell has a beautiful brick overlay, adding more thermal mass in the insulated sun space. Note the upper level hallway overlooking the Atrium and living room (right) (20010820-House05-DSC00005.jpg)

Dining room in far right. (20010820-House105-DSC00105.jpg)	Main stair well from Atrium. (20010820-House106-DSC00106.jpg)

Another view towards nook - with master bedroom suite above. (20010820-House107-DSC00107.jpg)	View south in atrium, with planter. (20010820-House108-DSC00108.jpg)

Details: Numerous tropical plants and trees, the largest in castored cedar planters. Panoramic south mountain view.	Central stairwell and landing overlooking most of house, open tread design with wrap around carpet, 24 hour 18 watt flourescent landing light.


View of planter in south sunspace. No sun coming in this time of year. (20010820-House312-DSC00312.jpg)	View west outside from the Atrium, satellite dish and neighbours. (20010820-House313-DSC00313.jpg)

Slate floor details in Atrium. (20010820-House316-DSC00316.jpg)	More slate floor details. (20010820-House317-DSC00317.jpg)


Two storey windows in the Atrium. Almost like being outdoors - yet very energy efficient. Unusual for this part of the country. (20010820-House109-DSC00109.jpg)	View south in Atrium. (20010820-House110-DSC00110.jpg)

View south of Atrium from main stairwell landing. (20010820-House151-DSC00151.jpg)	From the upper hallway. (20010820-House157-DSC00157.jpg)

The Atrium and living room from the upper hallway. (20010820-House158-DSC00158.jpg)	View down towards the main stairwell landing from the upper hallway, in front of the Master suite. (20010820-House181-DSC00181.jpg)

Main stairwell landing from upper hallway. (20010820-House182-DSC00182.jpg)	From upper hallway. (20010820-House183-DSC00183.jpg)

View of Atrium from farther down upper hallway. (20010820-House207-DSC00207.jpg)	View towards the Master suite from upper hallway. (20010820-House208-DSC00208.jpg)

Atrium and main stairwell, from farther down upper hallway - Master suite in background. (20010820-House293-DSC00293.jpg)	Upper Atrium windows from upper hallway. On a clearer day - the mountains are in view. (20010820-House297-DSC00297.jpg)

Another view of upper Atrium windows and the mountain view direction. Note the vaulted ceiling detail and skylights. (20010820-House298-DSC00298.jpg)	View towards the Master Bedroom suite from upper hallway. Of the main stairwell upstairs landing.Wall mounted speaker connected to family-room sound system. (20010820-House301-DSC00301.jpg)

Details: UPSTAIRS LANDING: Designed to be a play area for children, this carpeted space immediately in front of the bedrooms is in the centre of the house, receives the central staircase from downstairs, and overlooks the Atrium, living room and kitchen nook.	A specially designed gate matching the red oak stained railing, prevents the children from falling down the stairs. A large well lit dedicated closet can be used for toys or other storage.

Winter view of the new slate work in the Atrium.
(19970200 W00019 Calgary Acreage .jpg)

Plan view of the blueprints for the hip-roof details and basement. With more detail sections of the foundations. Note the large overhang all around the house - especially on the south and west sides, where the sunlight is brightest. The East and North sides don't need the larger overhangs.


View into the bedroom from the upper hallway(balcony). Side vented high efficiency gas fireplace. Views from 3 sides. (20010820-House160-DSC00160.jpg)	Showing other side of bedroom. Note that the Aztec styles Tiffany style lamps are not wired through the ceiling, but through the walls. Fresh air vent high on wall. (20010820-House161-DSC00161.jpg)

Special Considerations: Ceiling penetrations were minimized in this design. To prevent breaking the vapour barrier between the heated space and the insulation in the attic. Sconce lighting, fresh-air supply vents, exhaust-air vents, and bathroom heat lamps are all wall-mounted to minimize energy loss by air escaping through leaks in the air-tight envelope of the heated space.

Details: MASTER BEDROOM: This large room has a double French door (glass panelled) opening onto the balcony (extension of the upper passageway) overlooking the entire house. In addition, a large red stained double hung window on the balcony allows further ventilation ability (as well as view) from the bedroom, when the doors are closed. Few bedrooms can boast windows on three of it's four walls. Another fireplace identical to the one in the library provides supplemental heating and comfort, although this is the only room in the house where the underfloor heating was doubled up to provide adequate heating capacity in the coldest weather.	Two matching "Arts and Crafts Aztec" styled Tiffany style stained glass hanging ceiling fixtures, connected to a 4-way switch/dimmer system supplements the wall sconce at the door. Room exists for a T.V. and/or sound system on the red stained oak fireplace mantle piece. Upper wall mount speaker wires are roughed in to provide the room with stereo sound capability. 3 large windows on the south and one large casement window on the west side provide plenty of light, as well as a mountain view to this room.


Between the bedroom and the ensuites, is the built in wall cabinet/drawer system, in dark red stained oak. No need for chests-of-drawers. (20010820-House162-DSC00162.jpg)	View into first ensuite. Large shower on right and a toilet with a mountain view. (20010820-House163-DSC00163.jpg)

1st ensuite vanity and toilet details. Very quiet, single piece, low water volume toilet. (20010820-House164-DSC00164.jpg)	Close-up of built-in wall cabinet/drawer system. Plenty of storage space for folded goods. (20010820-House165-DSC00165.jpg)

Details: ENSUITES: This master bedroom enjoys 2 full bathroom ensuites, as well as a large built in red stained oak drawer and cabinet system to replace conventional bedroom furniture, while utilizing space effectively and matching the decor of the house. The first bathroom has a large 42" shower stall with pressure balanced faucet, vapour proof shower stall light, heat lamp, low volume single piece toilet (with a mountain view), and matching red stained oak vanity cabinet and sink, and west (mountain) facing window. Outside of the room is a walk in closet with clothes hangars on either side, and a concealed wall safe for valuables.	The second bathroom boasts a even larger 48" shower stall with pressure balanced faucet and a seat, vapour proof shower stall light, heat lamp, a large built in red stained oak dressing table cabinet/drawer system with sink, two river view windows, a seating space, and a corner air jetted whirlpool tub with red stained oak trim. The tub boasts electronic controls, automatic purger, and an air preheater to keep the water warm while churning up the water, and two windows - one west and one north. The water closet has another mountain view window, another low volume single piece toilet, and a matching bidet. The bathroom has its own very large walk in closet, with 2 sides of clothes hangers at different levels, and a built in drawer unit.


View of second ensuite vanity/dressing room, with a river and canyon view to the north. (20010820-House166-DSC00166.jpg)	Very large shower with seat, in second ensuite. Sliding glass doors. (20010820-House167-DSC00167.jpg)

Upper view of large shower unit. Heat lamp in front of and outside of shower stall. (20010820-House168-DSC00168.jpg)	Corner air-jet tub with west and north view, and oak trim. (20010820-House170-DSC00170.jpg)

Second ensuite water closet with low water volume, single piece toilet, and matching Roman bidet. (20010820-House171-DSC00171.jpg)	Another view of second water closet. Another mountain view from the toilet. (20010820-House172-DSC00172.jpg)

Another view of second ensuite vanity/dressing area. (20010820-House173-DSC00173.jpg)	Mirror and lighting detail with wall speaker for sound system. (20010820-House174-DSC00174.jpg)

The space between the bathrooms is occupied by a double sided closet shared by the adjacent laundry room.


View through the closet shared on one side by the two master bedroom ensuites, and the laundry room on the other side. (20010820-House175-DSC00175.jpg)	Matching set washer and dryer. Dryer vented outside. (20010820-House176-DSC00176.jpg)

Details: LAUNDRY: Located logically next to the rooms generating the most dirty laundry, this room has a couple of unique features. The first, is a linen closet that is accessible by a door from the passageway, but is open to the laundry room on the other side - so linens don't have to be hauled any further than the door to the room. In addition, an open closet between the master bedroom ensuites and the laundry room allows laundry hampers and a clothes hanger to be shared between the two rooms.	Dirty laundry can be passed into the laundry room without leaving the bedroom, and vice versa, clean laundry can be passed directly to the ensuites closets, all without hauling materials out of the laundry room. Two wall fluorescent fixtures, and a river view window provide lighting. A dedicated red stained oak cabinet houses the stainless steel laundry sink next to the washer and dryer. Self-priming floor drain protects against accidental over-flows.


Matching red stained oak vanity in laundry room, with large stainless steel laundry tub. (20010820-House180-DSC00180.jpg)	View from the laundry room of the river and canyon. (20010820-House178-DSC00178.jpg)

Smith's escarpment from laundry room window. (20010820-House177-DSC00177.jpg)	Walk-out from laundry room. (20010820-House179-DSC00179.jpg)


View from upper hallway of linen closet on left, and large hall closet on right, next to the upper landing space in front of two bedrooms. (20010820-House184-DSC00184.jpg)	The upper landing space in front of two bedrooms, main stairwell to right. Archway to foyer in background. (20010820-House185-DSC00185.jpg)

First bedroom. Smaller, but with large folding-door closet and great river and canyon view. Wall vent for fresh air influx. (20010820-House186-DSC00186.jpg)	Upper landing space in front of bedrooms. (20010820-House188-DSC00188.jpg)

Details: CHILDREN'S BEDROOMS: 2 identical bedrooms, each with Tiffany style stained glass wall sconce light fixtures, and large closets with lights. We sacrificed space in the bedrooms to expand the shared space on the landing. Wall mounted fresh-air supply vents.


The second bedroom, mirror image of the first. Small, but functional. (20010820-House189-DSC00189.jpg)	View of second bedroom showing upper wall-mounted fresh-air supply vent. (20010820-House190-DSC00190.jpg)

View into Atrium from upper landing space in front of bedrooms. (20010820-House193-DSC00193.jpg)	Next to the two bedrooms is a full bathroom, with steel tub with a river and canyon view. (20010820-House194-DSC00194.jpg)
	Details: BATHROOM: A spacious bathroom to serve the two smaller bedrooms, again with a low volume single piece toilet, wall-mounted heat lamp, window with river view, and a long, beautiful red stained oak vanity cabinet.
Opaque shower curtain obscures window with view next to bath tub. (20010820-House195-DSC00195.jpg)


A curtain separates the upper hallway from the library, or reading room. A private space, separate from the rest of the house - but still sharing the same great features, without the restrictive walls. (20010820-House201-DSC00201.jpg)	Alice envisioned a huge leather wing-back chair in her library/reading room, with lots of shelf space for books. Again with the famous river/canyon view to the north, and open to the south view over the living room/Atrium. (20010820-House202-DSC00202.jpg)

Details: LIBRARY: With an open wall to the passageway overlooking the living room, this carpeted room has a spectacular view of the river to the north and the mountains to the southwest.	A 24" high efficiency, black trim, variable flame and blower, thermostatically controlled direct vent fireplace in the corner adds to the intimacy of the room. A single large Tiffany style stained glass hanging ceiling fixture adds a reading light.


Faux marble cover on the high-efficiency gas fireplace. The fourth in the house. (20010820-House203-DSC00203.jpg)	(20010820-House206-DSC00206.jpg)

There are four side-vented high-efficiency fireplaces in the house. Each so efficient they are better at heat transfer than many conventional forced-air furnaces in city houses. They were selected not only for aesthetic reasons, but to provide a back-up heating system in the event electricity is out for an extended time in cold weather. They can heat the house alone - no electricity required. Extra features include variable speed blower fans and variable flame adjustments. Quiet and clean, and they meet all the R-2000 requirements because they're sealed units, getting their combustion air from the outside. No chimneys to sweep either.

View into the foyer from upper passage way, through the large arch. towards the second stairwell.
(20010820-House290-DSC00290.jpg)


Overlooking the foyer, with a view to the south. The upper foyer boast a beautiful river and canyon view to the north through these windows. (20010820-House211-DSC00211.jpg)	At the end of the passage way is the insulated steel door to the guest wing. Our storage space right now. Space next to the door for another indoor window between the main house and the rec room in the guest wing. (20010820-House215-DSC00215.jpg)

Details: FOYER: Carpeted stairwell and 42" wide passageway, overlooking main level foyer, with view to north of treed escarpment. A large semi circular feature window over the main doors and the eliptical oak archway separating the foyer from the main house, add to the beauty of this space.	Tiffany style stained glass wall sconces are used to light the area. Entrance to Guest wing (undeveloped - roughed in electrical only). Framed for future window installation between the recreation room in the guest wing and the foyer.


View to north east from upper foyer - the Smith's homestead in distance. (20010820-House3(2002-DSC00302.jpg)	Close-up view of Smith's homestead from upper foyer. We talked about erecting signs on our properties; "Protected by Smith & Weston". (20010820-House307-DSC00307.jpg)

The cistern mound and north-eats view from upper foyer. (20010820-House212-DSC00212.jpg)	Another view to north-east. (20010820-House213-DSC00213.jpg)

View back into the house from the second stairwell through the foyer. (20010820-House219-DSC00219.jpg)

Details: GUEST WING: Only the framing, insulation, poly, plumbing roof vents and electrical rough in are in place in the area meant to be used only part of the time. From the upper passageway in the foyer, the guest wing is sealed from the rest of the house until needed by an insulated steel door. The first room is the large recreation room, with vaulted ceiling, windows on 3 sides (including a rough in interior window into the foyer), cable outlet and rough in for a ceiling fan.	The second room is a large bedroom suite with river view to the north, and a full ensuite bathroom, complete with heat lamp. The third room is a very large bedroom suite, again with a full ensuite bathroom. This room has windows fully on three sides. A rough in fireplace in the corner will make this room the perfect guest room. The fourth room is a water closet to serve the recreation room.

Something to work on when we get back.....


The way to the basement - under the main stairwell from the kitchen. (20010820-House127-DSC00127.jpg)	Carpeted with partial landing so the stairs aren't uneven sizes. At Alice's insistence. (20010820-House149-DSC00149.jpg)

Details: BASEMENT: Contains the mechanical room with the boiler, heat exchanger, hot water tank, pressure tank, water softener and distiller. A second windowless room next to the mechanical room is slated to be turned into a darkroom with its own sink.	The main basement is a 600 ft2 room with two large windows, another high efficiency steel door and sliding window opening and screen door underneath the kitchen deck, to a walk out only 70' from the treed escarpment. All insulated underfloor heat - of course. Nascor 2" x 8" preserved wood foundation walls with very high R-25 insulation. We never needed the underfloor heat on in the winter in this room.


Some extra drywall ins storage. (20010820-House224-DSC00224.jpg)	View out to the walk-out and slope. (20010820-House225-DSC00225.jpg)

The underfloor heating manifold in spare windowless room. (20010820-House226-DSC00226.jpg)	The mechanical room. The underfloor heat manifold with thermostats on the left. (20010820-House229-DSC00229.jpg)

Details: HEATING SYSTEM: All floor areas in house, garage and basement installed with underfloor heat (excluding undeveloped guest wing upper level, and under central staircase on basement level). High efficiency (85%) 235,000 BTU boiler, power vented out wall to increase efficiency, capable of heating entire structure, and an 80 gallon domestic hot water tank. House divided into 11 zones, each independently controlled with a thermostat. Hydro-board in mechanical room has an additional future zone capacity.	Very high efficiency (75% seasonal), 300 cfm air to air heat exchanger (Lifebreath), with scrubber and electronic filter connected to all rooms in house. Exhaust is taken from bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry rooms, and fresh air is brought in to remaining rooms. Ventilation is on 24 hours as per R-2000 requirements, changing out all the air in the house every 3 hours. System designed and modelled to consume approximately 130 GJ of gas and electricity every year, with a 50% contribution from passive solar gains, for an approximate gas cost of $600 to $700 per year at 1996 prices.


Not much bigger than a microwave oven, this 235,ooo BTU boiler provides all the heat needed in the house. Even the hot tub. (20010820-House230-DSC00230.jpg)	The water distiller, to provide the purest drinking water to the refrigerator ice-maker, and the special taps in the main sink in the kitchen, and bar sink by the passageway. (20010820-House231-DSC00231.jpg)

The air-to-air heat exchanger and electronic filter. High efficiency, of course. (20010820-House232-DSC00232.jpg)	To treat the hard well water, a large Culligan (rental) water softener. (20010820-House233-DSC00233.jpg)

Salt bin for the water softener. (20010820-House234-DSC00234.jpg)	Another view of underfloor heat manifold. Each with butterfly valve to control where the heated water flows. (20010820-House235-DSC00235.jpg)

Electronic filter on heat exchanger. (20010820-House238-DSC00238.jpg)	Charge pump storage vessel. Pressures up the well water source to provide water pressure throughout the house. (20010820-House240-DSC0n0240.jpg)

Hot water heater - fed from the boiler. 80 gallons - more than enough capacity for most applications. (20010820-House242-DSC00242.jpg)	Some of the plumbing in the mechanical room. A special system and pump circulates hat water close to all faucets in the house so hot water is never far off. (20010820-House244-DSC00244.jpg)

Venting behind the boiler - out the wall, not up a flue. (20010820-House247-DSC00247.jpg)	Another view behind the water heater. (20010820-House248-DSC00248.jpg)

Door to the stairwell upstairs, next to a storage space under the main stairwell, for a freezer. (20010820-House250-DSC00250.jpg)	Electrical panel on left, next to walk-out door. (20010820-House251-DSC00251.jpg)

Electrical panel. Extra service to cover future expansion. (20010820-House252-DSC00252.jpg)	A view out the basement walk-out windows onto the slope, under the kitchen deck. (20010820-House256-DSC00256.jpg)

ELECTRICAL: A 200 amp service, and over 80 circuits provide ample electrical capacity. Numerous special considerations have been incorporated, such as: four 24 hour aisle lights to light the sunken main floor room stairs numerous dimmers, 3-way and 4-way switches, ceiling pot lights, picture lights booster switches in the bathrooms to increase exhaust ventilation dedicated outdoor Christmas light switches designer light fixtures wall sconce lights used upstairs instead of ceiling fixtures, to reduce the number of ceiling vapour barrier penetrations to keep the house more energy efficient and heat lamps in every bathroom are just a few examples.


Engineered ceiling joists insulated with underfloor heating. Downdraft venting for cook-top is the silver vent at top of photo. (20010820-House257-DSC00257.jpg)	One of the exhaust vents in the engineered ceiling joists in the basement. (20010820-House258-DSC00258.jpg)

Details: OTHER FEATURES: 5 gallon per minute well, choked back to 3 gallons per minute to preserve well integrity, connected to a 1250 gallon sistern, hooked into the house.	A 1000 gallon concrete septic tank with alarm and pump, feeding into a 500' septic field, for more than adequate drainage capacity


The newly built back deck with safety glass panels to improve north view - taken in winter 1997. (19970200 W00018 Calgary Acreage .jpg)

Details: BACK DECK: High efficiency, high R value back door with special positive sealing sliding window. Solid core vinyl coated screen door. Closet next to back door. Long 6' wide preserved wood deck overlooking treed slope and river and canyon view to north. White painted aluminum stairwell and railing installation, with safety glass panels to maintain view. Aluminum gate at top of stairwell to keep the little (and not so little) animals from climbing up the deck.. 3 exterior wall lights, 2 outlets.


View from back deck of fire-pit on walk-out, showing deck gate at top of stairs. (20010820-House264-DSC00264.jpg)	The stairs down to the walk-out, with the deck gate. (20010820-House265-DSC00265.jpg)

Steps down to the walk-out from the deck. The top of the septic tank at the bottom. (20010820-House266-DSC00266.jpg)	View of back door on deck, with high-quality screen door. (20010820-House270-DSC00270.jpg)

View of back deck - showing the three kitchen windows. The glass block windows flank the kitchen sink view window in the middle. Dog houses belong to tenants. (20010820-House268-DSC00268.jpg)	Can just see the bottom of the make-up air powered vent above kitchen sink window. Required to allow combustion air in for the gas cook top and downdraft unit. Closes mechanically to maintain air-tightness of the house. (20010820-House269-DSC00269.jpg)

View from the deck of the back windows of the family room. (20010820-House271-DSC00271.jpg)	Upper windows belong to the second ensuite in the master bedroom suite. (20010820-House272-DSC00272.jpg)

The walk-out with a fire pit and concrete block BBQ near edge of escarpment. 200' down to the Highwood river. +100; Douglas firs on this 6 acre slope. (20010820-House279-DSC00279.jpg)	View to north west - septic field to the left. The top of the large concrete septic tank at base of steps. (20010820-House281-DSC00281.jpg)

View of north west from the deck. (20010820-House282-DSC00282.jpg)	Can barely see the slightly longer grass extending away from the house - that's the 500' septic field. (20010820-House283-DSC00283.jpg)

View north-east of the deck. (20010820-House284-DSC00284.jpg)	View to north-east again. Smith's homestead just beyond the trees. (20010820-House285-DSC00285.jpg)

Deck lights and positive make-up air vent for the kitchen cook-top. Exhaust vent for the dryer in the laundry room above light fixture on right. (20010820-House62-DSC00062.jpg)	Sitting on the deck, the safety glass panels will afford a continuous view north to the treed slope. Can't see the city of Calgary at night, but can see a slight glow of the city lights. (20010820-House63-DSC00063.jpg)

We have grand plans to expand this deck in the future. Into a multi-level, multi-functional entertainment space. With a covered gazebo, and a place for me to watch the stars on the clear and dark evenings. A great place to watch the satellites pass overhead. Should be a great vantage point for the northern lights too.

View down from the deck, of the walk-out. Between the fire-pit and the block BBQ is the buried dry-well, piped to capture water draining from weeping tiles along foundation walls all around the house.
(20010820-House267-DSC00267.jpg)

Upper landing and main stairwell again, with Atrium to left.
(20010820-House003-DSC00003.jpg)

Last view of front of Weston Homestead.
(20010820 W00677 Calgary Homestead .jpg)

In 2002, we decided to start some landscaping so it would have a good head-start for when we eventually return to Canada. It would give the house better curb appeal anyway.

Included were a number of spruce trees, ash trees, railway ties around the front of the house with various shrubs, and a long row of Carrigana plants to help block the municipal road view. As well as an automatic irrigation system to make sure they received enough water to survive. The landscaping contractor sent us these photos.

Four 10' Spruce trees were planted in the island in front of the garage.
(20021001 Z00207 Canada Homestead Landscaping .JPG)

View to east showing ash tree on island.
(20021001 Z00224 Canada Homestead Landscaping .JPG)

Cistern Landscaping


(20021001 Z00208 Canada Homestead Landscaping .JPG)	(20021001 Z00209 Canada Homestead Landscaping .JPG)

To obscure the mound on top of the cistern, we asked them to build a planter feature - that allows us to easily access the cistern when needed. With railway ties.

Back Yard Landscaping

To help obscure the view of the Smith's homestead and increase the illusion of isolation.


View to east of three large 10' spruce trees strategically placed to break up the view to the neighbour's homestead. (0021001 Z00223 Canada Homestead Landscaping .JPG)	Irrigation line excavation evident. On self-timer. (20021001 Z00225 Canada Homestead Landscaping .JPG)

(20021001 Z00226 Canada Homestead Landscaping .JPG)	(20021001 Z00227 Canada Homestead Landscaping .JPG)

Other Landscaping


Landscaping railway ties built up around house, with shrubs planted under the overhang. (20021001 Z00216 Canada Homestead Landscaping .JPG)	Landscaping railway ties in front of entrance. (20021001 Z00221 Canada Homestead Landscaping .JPG)

View of front of house with railway tie/shrubbery features. It looks better already.
(20021001 Z00220 Canada Homestead Landscaping .JPG)


View of the large triple car garage and guest wing, from the south. (20010820-House15-DSC00015.jpg)	Another view showing the brickwork and porch. (20010820-House14-DSC00014.jpg)		The garage and guest wing. (20010820-House13-DSC00013.jpg)

Details: GARAGE: Very large (24' x 48') attached garage adjacent to foyer. One long 18' by 7' double car garage door, and one 9' x 8' high single car garage door. Both garage doors special high efficiency, R-10.5, with dual glazed window portals.		Top of line, quiet belt driven garage door opener on single garage door. Double door electrified for future garage door opener. Framed in separation from double car door side and single car door side. All underfloor heating under a specially re-enforced high stress 4" concrete slab. Large open workshop area adjacent to veranda and foyer. High efficiency solid core steel door with hidden closing mechanism between garage and main house..


A view of the entrance, living room, and atrium. (20010820-House17-DSC00017.jpg)	Back view of the front entrance and deck. the upper window on the right is in the rec room in the guest wing above the garage. (20010820-House18-DSC00018.jpg)		Front entrance with 2 storey vaulted ceiling foyer. (20010820-House19-DSC00019.jpg)


Living room on the right and atrium(both stories. There is a 26' high ceiling in the atrium) (20010820-House22-DSC00022.jpg)	Living room in the middle - both floors. (20010820-House23-DSC00023.jpg)		Atrium in the middle, family room on the left. (20010820-House24-DSC00024.jpg)

Details: WINDOWS: All external windows are high efficiency PVC units with red stained oak jambs. Bedrooms all have large casement windows for egress, while other venting windows are combination awning style. Window headers and overhangs specially designed to provide maximum solar gain in the coldest months, and zero solar gain in the warmest months.		Normal dual glazing for all true south facing windows not including the guest wing south windows (to maximize passive solar gain), all west facing windows are heat mirrored to minimize solar gain, and all other windows are Low-E high R value glazings, to minimize heat loss.


The heat-mirrored windows on the west side of the atrium - look and act differently than the other glazing. (20010820-House35-DSC00035.jpg)	The master bedroom. The main window was replaced a few years ago with a low-e unit after the original cracked. (20010820-House36-DSC00036.jpg)		Family room and master bedroom - the difference between low-e and heat mirrored windows evident. (20010820-House38-DSC00038.jpg)

Details: WALL SYSTEM: Triple air barrier system incorporated to minimize air infiltration. NASCOR brand, solid core wall construction, R-20 polystyrene, with minimal thermal bridging.		House is wrapped and taped with TYPAR brand, fibreglass re-inforced house wrap to reduce air infiltration. As per R-2000 requirements, special initiatives incorporated to seal 6 mil poly vapour/air barrier on inside of walls, caulked to framing, and joints taped.

This is a very air-tight house.


Side view of master suite and family room. The two windows on 2nd floor to the left belong to the two ensuite water closets. A view from each throne. (20010820-House42-DSC00042.jpg)	The three windows on the rear 2nd floor belong to Alice's ensuite washroomwith a corner jet tub. (20010820-House44-DSC00044.jpg)		A view of the back deck and walkout basement. (20010820-House45-DSC00045.jpg)


Garage on lower level, and guest wing above. Rec room on right, and two bedroom suites in middle and left. (20010820-House66-DSC00066.jpg)	Rear view high-lighting dining room and office and library. (20010820-House67-DSC00067.jpg)	View to south-west. Satellite dish in back-ground. Top of septic tank at base of deck stairs. (20010820-House71-DSC00071.jpg)


Closer view of garage and guest wing from rear. Foyer on right. (20010820-House69-DSC00069.jpg)	The cistern is the mound in front. A weeping tile temporarily connected to drainpipe to channel rain-water from side of house. (20010820-House68-DSC00068.jpg)	View of top of buried 1200 gallon cistern. A new landscaping feature was built to hide the mound. (20010820-House78-DSC00078.jpg)


Garage and the large bedroom suite in the guest wing. Windows on three sides in this bedroom. (20010820-House79-DSC00079.jpg)	Garage and guest wind bedroom suite. Another weeping tile to drain rain-water. (20010820-House80-DSC00080.jpg)		East side of garage and guest wing bedroom suite. (20010820-House81-DSC00081.jpg)

Details: EXTERIOR FINISH: South exposure is a blue grey stucco finish, while the other exposures use a similar coloured, high quality vinyl siding.		All soffits are higher than average gauge ventilated aluminum. Eavestroughs and Fascia are a Forest green aluminum.


East side of the garage and guest bedroom. (20010820-House84-DSC00084.jpg)	Back to the front - showing the large two-car garage door. Extra high-efficiency steel door. (20010820-House85-DSC00085.jpg)		View to the east in front of the garage. Tops of the large Douglas Firs on the slope down to the river. (20010820-House29-DSC00029.jpg)


View of the easement slope from neighbour's property.	Winter view of Highwood River.



Central south-facing Atrium. All the rooms on both levels face onto the Atrium.


Comfortable and efficient - under-floor heating throughout.	Watching TV in the family room from the hot tub (with a mountain view, of course)


Special light fixtures throughout.	How many homes can boast a dual ensuite to the master bedroom?


Recreation area out the back door to the Highwood River 200' below.	And another from the front door.


Different scale views of acreage, showing best paths to Calgary


The Nascor styro-foam walls are almost airtight on their own, but the house was further wrapped in Typar house wrap for a superior wind barrier. Add to this the accoustically sealed, thick 6 mil poly vapour barrier inside, and you have a very energy efficient, and air tight structure.	That's 3 inches of styro-foam insulation, on an 8" thick gravel bed for drainage. A thick 6 mil polyethylene vapour barrier separates the insulated floors from the overlying underfloor heating system. Covered by 6" high-stress concrete for insulated thermal mass to help regulate interior temperature swings. It all makes for a very comfortable living space.


The LifeBreath, high-efficiency air-to-air heat exchanger. Changes out all the air in the house every 3 hours, with very little heat loss. Constant fresh air increases the comfort level.	Even the garage has underfloor heating.


House wrapping over the styro-foam filled walls.	Construction crew installing the high efficiency windows.


Not much larger than a microwave oven, the high-efficiency power-vented boiler provides all the heat for the house, garage, domestic hot water, and even the hot tub. 80 gallon domestic hot water heater fed by the boiler.	Shot of the beautiful northern river and valley view from the large guest-wing guest bedroom. Still unfinished.


Front porch (with swing). (20010820-House16-DSC00016.jpg)	Front porch and garage entrance. (20010820-House28-DSC00028.jpg)

Details: ENTRANCE: Forest green stained preserved wood veranda with two storey high 10' roof overhang, 2 twenty foot high brick columns, white, low level deck railing, 4 brass carriage lamps, 6' wide double 3' solid core, high efficiency R16 steel doors. High quality convertible screen/window storm doors.


View of north-facing back door to the deck. With closet beside. (20010820-House119-DSC00119.jpg)	Alice in kitchen nook - overlooking the atrium. Another Tiffany style lamp. (20010820-House286-DSC00286.jpg)

Door to the water closet next to the kitchen. (20010820-House120-DSC00120.jpg)	View from kitchen nook to the sunken family room. (20010820-House124-DSC00124.jpg)

Kitchen nook from the desk in kitchen. The nook overlooks the atrium to the left, the hot tub (behind the far rail, and the family room to the right. (20010820-House125-DSC00125.jpg)	The small water closet off the kitchen nook. One piece toilet - very water efficient. (20010820-House288-DSC00288.jpg)


Next to the upstairs bathroom, the office is open to the upper hallway, so the south view is visible, as well as the north river/canyon view through the large window. (20010820-House196-DSC00196.jpg)	In one of the only places in the house where the ceiling was penetrated for a lighting fixture - two florescent lights provide plenty of work light in the office. (20010820-House197-DSC00197.jpg)

Details: OFFICE: In a similar treatment, the office shares an open wall to the south, and the river view to the north. Two ceiling fluorescent lamps provide adequate light for an office.	4 dedicated office outlets and 1 AGT outlet are designed for use with a computer and fax machine. the office could be converted to a 4th bedroom if required.


Another view of the office from the upper hallway. (20010820-House198-DSC00198.jpg)	Ditto: (20010820-House199-DSC00199.jpg)


Road to garage from inside upper foyer. (20010820-House291-DSC00291.jpg)	View south through upper living room windows. (20010820-House294-DSC00294.jpg)

Top of neighbour's house from upper living room windows. A long story - our conflict with these people. (20010820-House295-DSC00295.jpg)	View south from upper living room windows - of municipal road. (20010820-House296-DSC00296.jpg)

View towards mountains from upper living room windows. (20010820-House299-DSC00299.jpg)	Front gate with brick columns and cattle gate. (20010820-House327-DSC00327.jpg)

View south of other neighbours - the Hudson's homestead. (20010820-House310-DSC00310.jpg)	View to south-west. (20010820-House311-DSC00311.jpg)

Porch deck at front entrance. (20010820-House322-DSC00322.jpg)	View south to municipal road and Hudson's homestead. (20010820-House326-DSC00326.jpg)


Another view showing the 4 spruce trees on the island. Ash tree in the middle. (20021001 Z00222 Canada Homestead Landscaping .JPG)	View looking north - can barely see the ash tree on left. (20021001 Z00219 Canada Homestead Landscaping .JPG)


Two of the spruce trees with ash behind it. (20021001 Z00210 Canada Homestead Landscaping .JPG)	Curb appeal view of landscaping in first few days. (20021001 Z00211 Canada Homestead Landscaping .JPG)

This was wanted to obscure the headlights of oncoming traffic on the municipal road at night. This road had been re-positioned after we built - despite our objections. Hence the disagreement with our neighbour that requested the road movement.


A 400' row of 2 gallon Cariganas were planted along the front of the acreage. (20021001 Z00217 Canada Homestead Landscaping .JPG)	Extending west to the property line. (20021001 Z00213 Canada Homestead Landscaping .JPG)

The Carigana row to block the municipal road view - eventually. (20021001 Z00215 Canada Homestead Landscaping .JPG)	To the south-east with Hudson's homestead in background. (20021001 Z00214 Canada Homestead Landscaping .JPG)

Looking west from the edge of the row. House is to the right out of view. (20021001 Z00218 Canada Homestead Landscaping .JPG)