Shevlin True Modern House

You can build this house facing in whatever direction suits your needs, but if you’re interested in building it as a passive solar home, please read the section below titled Passive Solar Info for specific information on orientation.

After entering the foyer, there are three picture windows with operable lower windows straight ahead that look out to the central courtyard space, and a coat closet is located next to the door. On your left there’s an open living space that includes the kitchen along with the living and dining areas. The ceiling slopes gently from 9′ to 12’3″, where there’s a row of operable upper clerestory windows. Beneath these clerestory windows at the far side of the room there is a glazed door and three picture windows that open and look out to a large outdoor terrace. On the opposite wall sliding glass doors open onto a central courtyard. A fireplace flanked by built–ins on either side is located at the far end of the living room so that it can be enjoyed by those in the dining or kitchen areas as well.

The U–shaped kitchen has a large center island with a prep sink and extended counter for eating. This space also has great natural light and views, provided by large windows that wrap around one corner topped by transom windows. The kitchen also enjoys views to the center courtyard.

A door to the left of the fireplace opens into the master suite. The master bedroom has a niche for a built–in, and two tall vertical windows that look out to a private garden. The master bath features a ceiling that slopes from 8′ to 9’6″, a private toilet room, a long vanity counter with two sinks and room for a bench, a linen closet, a tub that sits under a window, and a separate shower with its own window as well. A door from the bath opens into a large walk–in closet. A door on the right of the living room fireplace opens into a den which has a niche for a built–in, two side windows, and a sloping ceiling that rises from 10′ to over 12′ with upper clerestory windows.

If you turn right from the entry foyer you see a display niche at the end of the hall, and three doors that lead to a mudroom/laundry, a bedroom with a walk–in closet, and a full bath. The mudroom has a niche for cubbies, a coat closet, another niche for a bench, a closet for a washer/dryer, and a utility counter with a sink. A door from the mudroom opens into a two–car garage with a storage/mechanical room and a long niche for a workbench with windows above.

Passive Solar Info
To maximize its passive solar design, the front of this house should face East (or West, if the house is reversed). The Shevlin features ample south facing windows with purpose–designed roof overhangs, including custom aluminum solar shades, to let the sun’s heat in during cooler months, and block it in the warmer months. The switch–operated clerestory windows provide day lighting and can be opened to cool the home at night. Cool air enters through the low windows and warm air exits at high windows, encouraging rapid cooling.