HOW TO BEGIN… MAYBE JUST TAKE A LITTLE OFF THE TOP.

We wanted to create a house using our existing footprint. It’s important to preserve greenspace in urban environments and we love our yard. One of the biggest problems with our little rambler is the total lack of a dining room. We decided to open up some of the tiny openings and make a larger more modern floor plan replacing the sun porch with a glassy dining room that could take advantage of passive solar strategies. However the most noticeable change is the second story that will provide two great bedrooms, a three-quarter bath for the kids and great modern master suite complete with green roof deck and reading loft with views to downtown Minneapolis.

The other big thing motivating the new building strategy is the goal of building a better, more efficient and healthier home. We’re wrapping our existing first story in a metal parka with monolithic insulation panels. The second story will be made from a FSC timber framing system and SIP (structurally insulated panels that allow us to pop the top and erect the second story quickly by using prefabricated structure and panels. We’re hoping to keep the house warm and dry during construction. I’ve convinced my poor wife we should save money by living in the house during construction. Just think by saving in rent we can pimp out the new house in solar panels or some other great green feature it’ll be worth it in the end…. remember these famous last words. Let’s chop the top!