A very nicely done project!
Congrats, you reTIREeez.
As seen in the 'Union of Concerned Scientists' newsletter, Earthwise: "At 8,400' up in the Colorado Rockies, often above the clouds, it may seem like UCS member Jerry Unruh and his wife Diana live apart from the concerns of the everyday world, but they are doing their own small part to make the world a better place. Jerry and Diana decided to take early retirement [no pun intended] from their corporate jobs in May 2000, move up into the mountains above the city of Colorado Springs, and build an ecologically friendly house that would make them virtually self-sufficient in terms of their energy needs". For more from the Union of Concerned Scientists, see: http://www.ucsusa.org/
This home was completed by this retired couple, with available help, usually not enough, in just at one year's time. Great job!! Three is a crowd unless you're running a 'pogo-stick' pounding tires.
To get a closer look at the roof of this house, click here.
Built on a 20º slope, the home fits into the area nicely. 100% off grid.
Main/guest bathroom entry.
The glass-block wall makes a lovely bathroom/shower divider.
Aspen paneling and stained glass at the Entry.
A view into the kitchen/pantry with dining area to the right.
Bedroom/office details truly show how owner/builders can express themselves; Beautiful!
The same room viewed wide-angle.
Opening Window Detail.
A look down the greenhouse hallway.
Ladder leads to loft bed platform. Entry to closet below loft is at left.
The view from the loft bed platform. Note: single surface ceiling (roof).
Taking it easy in the afternoon sun on the flagstone patio.
This house was designed by Michael Shealy and built with rammed-earth used tires, cans and conventional materials, by the owner/builders Jerry & Diana Unruh, in the fashion conceived by Michael Reynolds, of Solar Survival Architecture, revised and improved by myself.
For our Tire-House story and more tire-house links: click here.