The North side of our 1950 Eugene, Oregon home with some updates, but no insulation in the walls, lots of air leaks, and insufficient glazing (windows) to the South. Time to get efficient!

The South side of the house. The first (and most-needed) phase of the remodel is on the older part of the house, to the right. In the future the more recent garage addition (left) will receive additional insulation (though at least it's got some), larger South-facing windows, and improved ventilation. Future projects include solar hot water and electric--and especially a garden!

But let's get back to now...

Removing the baseboard moulding, in preparation for removing the perimeter sheetrock. We are going to add much more insulation (R-30 or more) than we could get by blowing it into the walls (R-11 or so).

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Cutting the plaster tape.

No insulation in the walls. This is extrordinarily wasteful, so here is an important opportunity to make a major difference in energy use.

Lookin' good! That drafty chimney's got to go, though.

Demolishing one of two energy-wasting and space-consuming chimneys.

A better place for the old "smokestack" (note there are no more chimneys through the house roof).

Paula takes the place down with her bare hands. Well, sort of...

The living room ceiling starts to come down.

We've processed a few dumpsters of demolition material through this facility--a great local resource. Visit http://www.sanipac.com/commercial/ecosort/.

The floor plan, after many revisions (the final revision will be posted soonish). South is down. Most exterior walls are moving to 2 sets of staggered 2x4's, and R-30 insulation. The house will be re-wired for safety. The existing bath will be enlarged slightly from an awkward plan, and we'll bring in more light. Laundry appliances will be relocated out of the kitchen, and a dining nook created. An opening will be made between this place and the living room, to bring in light and connect with the kitchen. South windows will be enlarged and added for winter solar gain. The entry will receive a bench for shoe removal. Storage will be re-arranged.

The most-recent changes include creating a combination master bedroom/sun room, at the southeast corner, and increasing the glazing (glass) in the south wall of this room. This will incorporate solar heat gain and a delightful light-filled space to spend time in.

Other changes will be explained as this web site and project develops.

The garage and a more-recent over-garage space (Gary's office) are not shown, and will be a part of a second phase project in the future.

Other future projects include solar hot water and electric--but addressing efficiency first is the way to go.

Where does it go? Good we're re-wiring the place...

The new "open plan."

"Down under, " installing many structural brackets, adding beams, cleaning up marginal supports, adding new support piers, leveling the house. Tough stuff--and so important to have a strong foundation.

More of the "down under." Almost done with this challenging part...

Parts of this house we would like to pass on, being unloaded at Bring Recycling, in Eugene, OR.

Yes, Re-Think! How we "do" so many things...

Visit http://www.bringrecycling.org/.

Rebuilding (stronger, vastly more efficient) has started.

 A couple areas are being removed, as the design is tuned.

Almost done with this.

The removed material goes into a dumpster. Some for a short time, as it went to a neighbor who was building a shed. The remainder goes to the next re-use at Eco-sort.

Sun Room opening to the light...

Sun Room after the big clear glass solar slider was installed (October 15, '07).

Paula says: It's even better in person, but this is the view from our south-facing sun room. This was originally a wall with a small window. We'll be getting rid of this deck and adding instead a small patio that will lead down to the garden below (a smaller hot tub will be nestled down in the more private space). In the upper right you can see the glass block we added that will be above the tub/ shower in the bathroom. This home is truly a labor of love. Gary and I are learning about each other in the process and growing a deeper and stronger connection as we design and build our nest. We're considering starting a business coaching people through Creative Sustainable Home-Soul Remodeling Projects. Imagine the possibilities!

NOTE: A lot has happened since the last revision. As of April '09 a shower drain heat exchanger was installed (with around 40% heat recovery), some important insulation strategies have been implemented, and the sheetrock is on the walls. Updates and photos coming...