Green Builders on the Central Coast


Archive for the ‘New Construction’ Category

Atascadero Strawbale

Friday, 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.pv4

Country Cottage

Friday, 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.

8-9-solar-trailer

Atascadero Strawbale

Monday, 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.

more-plaster-before

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Coastal Rammed Earth

Tuesday, 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.

kit-cabs

 

 

Coastal Rammed Earth Update

Wednesday, 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.

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decks

Aerodynamic Barn Gets Noticed

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

done-barn

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.

Atascadero Strawbale

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

recycled-shelves

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.

wineman

Central Coast Guest House Move in!

Wednesday, 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.

lyszczek-014

Central Coast Guest House Update

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

The owners are going to add the finishing touches to this cute coastal hills guest cottage now that they are moved in and getting settled. They are set up to harvest rain water, power the home with photovoltaics and are starting to grow a living roof on their subterranean storage space.

done

Coastal Rammed Earth Update

Friday, October 30th, 2009

The project on the hill is getting its final shape. Toasts are in order as we have finally set the last Glue Lam and will have the roof frame completed in a couple of weeks. The last Earth has been Rammed and the first glass will be installed the first week of November………………………….. Pretty amazingly shaped beam isn’t it??

roller-coaster-beam1