The owners of this farm, wanted a home which was artful, environmentally sensitive and one which had a strong sense of place. The House, Barn and Garage are integrated around a central Courtyard, accessible through a Garage Portal. The House is oriented along the south flank of the Courtyard for optimal passive solar storage, and the Barn is located on the north flank to further buffer the winter winds. Core filled insulated 12" concrete block, made with fly ash, was used for the exterior walls offering high insulation values and adding thermal mass. The exterior and interior walls were plastered with a natural integral dye which will never need painting. Recylced materials used are denim insulation, reclaimed Cherry floors, recycled paper countertops, metal roofs and architectural salvage materials. Locally supplied materials include concrete block, plaster, and iron work. Sustainable features include geothermal heat, solar panels and the use of Forest Stewardship Certified Lumber. Click here for more images of Green Architectural Construction.