Wilton Houses

A young family wiht three children is planning a sustainable compound of three buildings for them and their parents, on a ten acre ranch and former hay farm in Wilton, south of Sacramento. The existing 2,500 square feet house will be remodeled and will get an 1,135 square feet addition to accommodate the family and their children. This will function as the main house with six bedrooms, a large living and dining area, and will be connected through a patio with the new 2,500 square feet parents' house and a new 1,100 square feet 4-car garage building with a small studio.  The main house and the parents' house are forming a courtyard and their large porches are orientated to the garden and pool area. The parents' house is planned with an emphasis on sustainable construction principles; a south-north building orientation and a 10 feet wide south facing porch in front of the large living and dining room, cross and vertical ventilation and exterior non load bearing 2 feet wide straw bale walls. The load bearing wood frame construction supports the overhanging roof structure, which functions like an umbrella around the house. In addition to the three buildings an existing large barn structure will be remodeled to function as a winery. The family compound will be connected to an on-site water well and will have an on-site septic system. Construction is planned to start in 2011.