This Log House - Entry 2

You have to give the designer-builders of the 19th century a lot of credit.

Barry and I studied and calculated how to place the new-old house to achieve the greatest possible solar gain, only to discover that John Miller (no relation) had already done so when he sited the original house 160 years ago. So we’re building right where he put his foundation, expanding the footprint only a couple feet to accommodate a bigger log house and placing the log structure on a daylight basement to take greater advantage of the south-facing slope. Mr. Miller’s foundation stones will be used to face a retaining wall.

Whoever designed the house we’re re-assembling put only a few openings on the north and west sides – and more on the south and east sides – to maximize energy efficiency in the winter by reducing the chilling effect of the prevailing northwest winds and opening the house to the sun. A south-side porch shaded the windows in the summer, when the sun is high in the sky. That is passive solar design, whatever they may have called it in 1850.

So “green building” decisions made by previous generations have given us lots to work with. Modern technologies and research have given us even more.

Successful blending of 19th and 21st century technologies and materials requires attention to detail and willingness to revise what seemed to be perfect plans. The skills of conscientious craftsmen are essential to make the pieces fit. We found them, and we’ll be happy to name names.

Next: a firm foundation