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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCouple Builds Greenhouse AROUND House to Grow Food and Keep Warm
Last edited Mon Mar 28, 2016, 05:19 PM - Edit history (2)
http://sfglobe.com/2015/11/11/family-designs-glass-green-house-to-wrap-around-home-and-warm-it-naturally/Rather than build from the ground up, Sacilotto and Granmar decided to purchase this small home and construct the greenhouse around it. The structure, built out of security glass 4 millimeters thick, is designed to withstand the elements, but will shatter into small harmless pieces if it does break. Fair Companies states that its warming effect produces a climate not unlike the Mediterranean, with Sacilotto adding, At the end of January it can be -2°C outside and it can be 15 to 20°C upstairs."
Perhaps the most beloved feature of Sacilotto and Granmar's house-in-a-greenhouse is their terrace, which takes the place of the structure's former roof. The eco-conscious couple also maintains fruit and vegetable gardens, grape trees, and even a small goldfish pond all within the greenhouse walls. Sacilotto and Granmar water their plants with rainwater collected from underground cisterns and have even installed their own sustainable independent sewage system.
These innovative homeowners cite inspiration from Swedish architect Bengt Warne, whose original Naturhus (Nature House) was built in the 1970s. Inhabitat explains that this greenhouse design not only seamlessly weaves the great outdoors and its luscious greenery into domestic life, but it can also reduce energy bills by as much as 50 percent.
liberal N proud
(60,349 posts)They will do anything to save the planet.
roguevalley
(40,656 posts)KamaAina
(78,249 posts)the part of Nova Scotia where we're supposed to go if the vulgar talking yam wins.
http://www.cbiftrumpwins.com
hfojvt
(37,573 posts)or warm, I mean
Probably not gonna be practical with my 3 story house.
Also not sure about the zoning laws.
malaise
(269,239 posts)The future
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)There's a hell of a lot of room in places like Alaska.
And, might it be possible to capture some of the sunlight with solar panels, so as to be completely off the grid?
Liberal In Texas
(13,601 posts)Or warm.
LittleGirl
(8,292 posts)That is fabulous. I love that. I want that. That is so cool!!!!!
Helen Borg
(3,963 posts)To keep the greenhouse warm?
Javaman
(62,534 posts)that nice wood home would warp pretty quickly.
Jim Beard
(2,535 posts)FLPanhandle
(7,107 posts)Not a design for our Florida climate, but great idea for up north.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)clouds most of the winter. And snow could easily block sunlight also.
Jim Beard
(2,535 posts)They had dugouts.
LastLiberal in PalmSprings
(12,601 posts)Karl Rove's car wrapped in plastic wrap, eagles, and stickers, including one with "I love Obama" written on it.
AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)Rain water? Forget it!
"Naturhus (Nature House) was built in the 1970s."
Proof again the the 70's were moving in the right direction...then.... what? Reagan/Thatcher influence all over the place? I dunno. Seems much more complicated.
Denzil_DC
(7,287 posts)KamaAina
(78,249 posts)BumRushDaShow
(129,796 posts)according to one of my relatives who traveled there in winter, due to the extent of its northern latitude, the sun sortof goes up part way and then eventually sets - so it's like dusk (at least to those of us in lower latitudes) most of the day. Of course in summer, it's the opposite.
leftyladyfrommo
(18,874 posts)And that would eventually destroy the house.
yawnmaster
(2,812 posts)KamaAina
(78,249 posts)Winooski, Vt., outside Burlington, looked into it in the late '70s.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winooski,_Vermont#Modern_times
Advances in technology may well have made this economically feasible! And they could angle for an NFL team.
Jim Beard
(2,535 posts)especially like they say, gasoline engines. Park cars outside of bubble. Throw away gas lawnmowers. Will it work against Tornado's?
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)Gas-powered cars could be traded in for electric ones.
yawnmaster
(2,812 posts)of course, I'm kidding...
he didn't though, right?
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)I can't imagine that he did, since not only is Winooski a separate municipality from Burlington, he didn't become mayor of Burlington until the following year.
yawnmaster
(2,812 posts)shut down the following year when Bernie became mayor of a neighboring city that very well may not have wanted a domed city next door, flaunting it's efficient use of energy and blooming flowers in the winter?
Coincidence?
of course, I'm still kidding.
but what did Burlington think of having a domed neighbor?
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)Jim Beard
(2,535 posts)Aren't there systems that can store Summers heat for use in the winter and then the opposite. I think some use underground water. I really like the green house but my water is so alkaline it would ruin the glass very quickly.
seanjoycek476
(54 posts)Very clever and ingenious. That couple is truly an inspiration for us all.
rickford66
(5,530 posts)Even with ventilation, it will get very very hot on sunny days. There will be plenty of condensation on the inside of the glass in cold weather. Unless the glass is cleaned often, mold will develop. It looks like much of the glass can't be cleaned easily. It will be like living in a terrarium. We built a double envelope house which is pretty much an insulated house within an insulated house. It gets plenty warm in the Southern Tier NY during Winter and is well ventilated in the Summer. Yes, the windows get condensation and mold can grow, but it's easier to maintain than the "glass house". Anyone look into building codes?