391 State Road 230

Description

SITUATED IN AN EXQUISITE RIVERFRONT SETTING on the Rio Hondo in the idyllic Valdez Valley, this property is accessed from very scenic State Road 230 which is both paved and plowed. This 4.9 acre property is located just a 15 minute drive from either the Taos Ski Valley or town. The year round water flows beneath cottonwoods, meandering out of the Ski Valley through Valdez and Arroyo Hondo valley farms and fields, eventually reaching the Rio Grande. The south facing land gently slopes down to the river and is dotted with Aspen and pine and ancient apple trees that still produce fruit. With over 300 feet of river frontage, this park-like wildlife refuge along the river is home to many birds, trout, deer, coyotes, foxes and bears, turkey, elk and beavers. The neighbors horses make for pleasant viewing across the stream and are observable from the unique picnic table or the viewing platform above. The LEED PLATINUM CERTIFIED BUILDING is designed to minimize both energy and water use. The custom built residence has a large, attached workshop and loft. The 1200 sf existing home was planned to be the living quarters and staging facility for construction of a few other residences on the site. The property is ready for development with a well with ample water, piping for water and electrical distribution and a meter bank to accommodate 4 electric meters is in place. THE PASSIVE SOLAR RESIDENCE is built with SIP and insulated concrete form wall construction with an R-48 insulated roof, R 44 second floor walls and R-23 first floor walls and R-10 insulation beneath the concrete slab which has radon venting. The first floor walls are bermed to about 4 feet on the north side. Windows are low-E with fiberglass frames. The HERS index rating is 58. A wastewater treatment system serves the residence and treats water to be safe for use in the irrigation system and is plumbed to allow diversion to the irrigation cistern if needed. An enhanced outdoor air ventilation system with an energy recovery ventilator and HEPA filter is in place. The residence is sited to optimize winter solar gain while controlling direct sun in summer with optimally designed overhangs and other shading techniques for summer heat control. Ventilation and shading keeps the building comfortable in the summer. An operable louver system above the 2nd story deck shades the glass and makes for a pleasant outdoor seating area. Supplementing the natural heating is an in-floor radiant heat system for the shop and residence with a high efficiency boiler that also provides domestic hot water year round. The large single sloped standing seam metal roof has no penetrations, even the plumbing vents are routed to not go through the roof. Snow melt and rain water are collected in a 1,500 gallon cistern. The water is used for irrigating the trees near the house on a timed, zoned drip system. DESIGN FEATURES include slate tile and plaster walls. An Aspen ceiling above the second floor and a light reflecting metal pan deck ceiling above the first floor accent the interior and harmonize with the color and texture with the steel and wood beams. The second story south wall features a 15 meter wide sliding, folding door system with 8 ft. high doors that combine the indoor and outdoor spaces. The second floor features a good sized soaking tub situated to enjoy the great view to the south. The form of the building and the exterior surfaces are designed to provide a modern take on the historic use of materials and forms seen in Northern New Mexico while at the same time minimizing maintenance and responding to the elements in a beautifully natural manner. THE HOME HAS CREATIVE TOUCHES THAT SKIERS WILL APPRECIATE. The swing on the front portal is one of the old chairs left over from the construction of Lift 7A in the Ski Valley, and the spiral staircase is masterfully executed using many colorful ski poles in the railing. CONT'D