August 20th, 2010
Semmes and Company’s Solar Energy division, Semmes Solar, is currently installing photovoltaic panels on this strawbale home in Atascadero as the project is nearing completion. Maximum state rebates are obtained during the house contruction from the New Solar Homes Partnership program.
The summer has hit and this house is staying incredibly cool inside thanks to the use of straw bale, high insulation and plenty of thermal mass. This home was also built with the use of our ‘Mobile Solar’, solar powered generator keeping electric bills low now and into the future.
Posted in Alternative Energy, New Construction, Solar, Straw Bale Construction | Comments Off
August 13th, 2010
Semmes and Company is starting this new home in the North County and will be doing so with power from the sun using the Semmes Solar Generator. This home will be passive solar design and will feature advanced framing techniques to reduce lumber which will be FSC.
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July 26th, 2010
Here are before and after shots of the simple detailing that goes into the finishing of the interior of a straw bale home. The lines are soft and warm as is the feeling of the house upon completion. The floor is stained concrete, some paint and furniture and this room is ready to move into.
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July 20th, 2010
Hey friends, you should see this Coastal Rammed Earth project coming together. The owners will be moving in soon and the finishes are coming together. The concrete floors have been ground to a fine polish with the aggregate exposed, the cabinets, glass, tile and other finish work are getting near completion. Keep your eyes here for more great shots to come.
Posted in Coastal Rammed Earth, New Construction | Comments Off
July 2nd, 2010
Strawbale workshop at North County Meditation Room was just completed last week. We had a great showing of volunteers at the workshop and were able to get all the bales in place during the one day workshop. Thanks to all that were able to come out and help.
Posted in Straw Bale Construction, Uncategorized | Comments Off
June 16th, 2010
As you can see this Costal Rammed Earth project is moving into finishes! The photos are of a few of the professionals working on this project, it is truly a work of many! From master carpenters, Roofers, tile setters, steel fabricators, cabinet builders, concrete polishers…………. The list goes on and on! Thanks all for your efforts to get this amazing project completed. The exterior steel decking is almost all in place as well as the rails. Inside the concrete floors are getting polished, drywall plastered, and cabinets are being set.
Posted in Coastal Rammed Earth, New Construction, Solar | Comments Off
June 2nd, 2010
This newly finished barn in the San Luis Obispo cattle country is becoming an attraction in itself. Locals and tourist alike make a special side trip to have a look at it, it even attracts quite a bit of aviation traffic from the local airport, it seems fliers consider it to be one of their own. Everyone that worked on this project is proud to have been a part of it.
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May 11th, 2010
Pole mount Photovoltaic install in Atascadero. This is a 3.7kw system using Sanyo 210n panels with a Sunny Boy inverter. The pole mount can enable the install of a system on steep slopes like this hillside.
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April 23rd, 2010
After a long rainy winter this strawbale is ready for plaster. Doors and windows as well as all the mechanical are installed.
Note the shelving on the right side, it is recycled lumber from the historic Wineman Hotel renovation. This material was originally milled over 100 years ago and has been brought new life as finish material for this project. Imagine if you will the plaster along the straw wall running right through, between the shelves the continuing along the back wall as opposed to standard built in book cases.
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December 23rd, 2009
The owners have been moved in to this cozy get away for a couple of months and are doing finishing touches on their own including landscaping. With their power being generated by the photo voltaic system they find they can do a good part of their home heating with towel warmers in the two bathrooms of this tightly insulated house. Strider finds this comfort knowing he has a warm refuge from this brisk winter day.
Posted in New Construction, Solar | Comments Off
