Winter 2010

Oregon Living
Design
green FeaTUres
Compact 1,480 square feet • Locally sourced straw bale • Passive solar
design • Hybrid convective air slab (solar slab) • Wastewater heat recovery
system • Gas tankless water heater • Tulikivi soapstone stove • R55 ceiling
insulation with radiant barrier • Operable roof vent designed to release
excess heat • Thermal drapes and blinds • Ecotop countertops (Kliptech) •
American Clay Plaster interior finishes • Non-VOC stains and fini shes on interior
cabinets and woodwork • Energy Star appliances • Dual flush toilets •
Low flow showerheads and faucets
Price. “Most Ashlanders are very supportive
of sustainable design.”
Inside, the walls are finished with environmentally
safe American Clay Plaster, giving
them a buttery smooth texture. With no carpeting,
forced air heating, or toxic finishes,
the air quality is excellent, too.
A beloved Tulikivi soapstone stove from
Finland burns wood at such a high temperature
that it keeps the house warm for twelve
hours at a time while emitting little air pollution.
Architect Duffié’s favorite feature is the
innovative hybrid convective air slab, or solar
slab, which makes use of a series of channels
beneath the floor to circulate and siphon
warm air throughout the space.
“It takes a bit more thinking and intention
when living in a passive solar house,” explains
Price. “Opening and closing thermal blinds
to let the sun in, deciding when we may need
to use the stove to supplement heating—you
don’t just throw a switch and forget about
it.” Still, much as he anticipated years ago, he
and Keller are finding this new way of living
rewarding. “It connects you a lot more with
nature,” says Price.
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