Gascho explains the role of the 15,000 gallon rainwater cistern to be built in the excavation below them.

 

The underground structure, made of poured concrete, will store water for all toilets.

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Construction is already under way for the 10,000 gallon septic tank that will treat waste water for the entire complex.

Waste water will flow from the tank to a constructed wetland for final cleansing.

 

 

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Luke Gascho describes how building materials for Cottage #3 were selected to meet the LEED criteria.

Exterior walls (6in) will be filled with high performance cellulose insulation.

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All buildings are oriented for optimum solar gain.

Windows form part of the passive solar system, and solar panels on the roof will capture much of the energy required to heat water.

A geothermal heat pump in each of the buildings provides additional heating and cooling.

 

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Green building wrap goes on Cottage #4.

The wrap creates a barrier to reduce air leakage and still permit the building to "breathe" and release trapped moisture.

Excavation for the rainwater cistern is in the foreground.

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The structures were designed to be energy efficient and also reflect the architecture of many northern Indiana farm houses.

In the foreground is the base for the 100 ft tower for the 10 kw wind generator. Up to 25% of the facility's electricity will come from this source.

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Cottage #3

Sheathing is OSB (oriented strand board) formed from wood chips bound with phenol-formaldehyde glue rather than urea-formaldehyde formulations.

We are avoiding urea-formaldehyde building products throughout the project since more outgassing can occur with the urea based products.

Phenol-formaldehyde is acceptable in the LEED standards.

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