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NaturalDesignChick
08-25-2009, 09:01 AM
Well, it's not tiny nor sustainable (as it the materials used do not replenish faster than they are used) but it is a building!

Stats:


Greenhouse in Central Colorado (south of Denver, north of Co Springs)
Just under 800 sq ft (21' X 40' outside measurement)
Solar with SHCS (http://sunnyjohn.com/) (subterranean heating & cooling system)
Building/Built Autumn 2009
25' from house with covered-in-winter pergola leading to the door
West and North sides almost completely underground, East about 1/2 way


Why's & Wherefores

It's away from the house so shadows don't cover it up. In the winter, our sun sets close to 2pm with darkness hitting around 4pm. We need as much solar gain as possible.
The pergola will be covered in ??? to block wind, snow and cold. Hopefully, this will keep the greenhouse in permaculture zone 1.
It's a big-un because everything I read said that you'd always want one bigger than you build. :p
The foundation is on an adjusted-for-latitude E-W line for full southern exposure. Our foundation guy was so patient with me. (Our excavator as well, but he's my husband running a rented backhoe.)


Note: SunnyJohn is a weird site with great info.

gardengirl72
08-25-2009, 09:39 PM
It sounds great. How tall is it and how far down will the windows go?

NaturalDesignChick
08-29-2009, 09:48 AM
It sounds great. How tall is it and how far down will the windows go?

The peak is at 15' and the Dynaglass stuff will go down to about 3' at the front wall. That knee wall will have a few operable windows for use in ventilation.

NaturalDesignChick
08-29-2009, 10:01 AM
The footing forms went up this week and were poured on Thursday.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3528/3866914223_28d6cce03e.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2570/3866924937_5267c692f6.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2475/3866925145_617dae6760.jpg

And the patio, which is enormous, was poured at the same time.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2525/3867710350_c69f747c9c.jpg