Johnson House
The building contains two towers of (reinforced concrete block) - one serving as a stair connecting the separate parent and children levels with the main floor level where family interaction takes place; and the other as a solar tower that contains the air moving equipment, the manifolds from the solar arrays, the rock box, and of course, the other alternative heating source - the fireplace. The house is wrapped around these duplicate towers, with 2 x 10's radiating from the apex to the floor, creating a feeling of spaciousness. The towers are separated to give some economic relief, and also to provide an area for the flat location of the collectors.
Fortuitously the principal view is to the south (sketch) , so windows there can do do double duty - permitting seeing out, and allowing the winter sun in. The living area is raised to give view clearance over distant structures, and the second floor bedroom a welcomed view over the city. The shape of the house acts as an effective heat trap - the shroud shape minimizing exposure to the north and west and maximizing openness to the sun. The balcony is a pleasant outside winter space. The family does a lot of entertaining, and the mother is a gourmet cook, thus the openness of the main level is doubly useful as hub of activity. The quarry tile floor is very serviceable, but also acts as a heat absorber for the winter sun.
The curved ceiling is accentuated by using beveled mahogany paneling, placed radially. This is not too costly, since the curved surface is straight line generated.
A fun thing was to add the little balcony off of the parents bath, just for a stretch and breath of fresh air in the morning or evening while enjoying the privacy of height.
