82
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AUTUMN
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EARLY WINTER
2016
ESCARPMENT
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stone phoenix
“Energyefficiencywasamajor theme— itemssuchashigh insulatingval-
ues, tripleglazing,acistern for thecollectionof rainwater,agreen roof,
and passive solar design were all implemented,” explains Monty.
“Since then, theBurrishaveaddedphotovoltaics to the roof tocomplete
their energy efficiency strategy. (Photovoltaic (PV) devices generate
electricitydirectly from sunlight.)Andbecause thehouse sitson theex-
isting foundation (of theprevious home) that was in closeproximity to
the Escarpment edge, air conditioning is not much of a problem—
clerestorywindows (tocatch thebreezes)andexpansiveoverhangs to
shield the sun in the summer, allowwinter light to flood thehouse.”
“Thehouse is insulatedwith soybeans,” exclaims Edna. “Canyoube-
lieve it?”Theentirehouse isheatedandcooledbyexchangeof air via
water, which is extremely efficient and cost effective. In the summer
months the Burris use a traditional clothesline toair dry their laundry,
and in thecoolermonths theheateddeckensures rainwater and snow
willmelt into the slopinggardens, andaway from the foundation.
