nopal

Menusun
Seed No.1

Welcome Home,

What do you want out of a home? Take a moment and think about it....

The building you grew up in helped shape who you are today. This is why we try and understand how the built environment can help foster these precious experiences.

We welcome you to join us on a journey of learning as we seek to build this home.

Cheers,

-Gerald, Austin, James

Understanding

Understanding

by: Austin Trautman, Dec 11, 2024

We are all about understanding the built environment and how it can foster experiences.

Floor Plan Base

We build simple rectangles on 4’ increments. We also define a central mechanical space, you could think of this as a heart. It pumps in fresh filtered air and maintains temperature.

The remainder of the space is open to explore room sizes, locations and where you enter and exit.

Mechanical
2,160 sq/ft
Site Plan No.1

Site Plan No.1

Due to the lot size and constraints we developed this layout to focus on utilizing as much of the lot while preserving nature.

The entrance is a core space in any home and it should be welcoming.

Specifications

All Nopal buildings use our Baselayer System. Details coming soon…

Flooring Details
  • Polished Concrete
  • Radiant Cooled & Heated
  • Vapor barrier
  • Insulated Perimeter
Medium Timber Framing
  • Lower Thermal Bridging
  • Air tight envelope
  • Vaulted ceilings
  • 4' Exterior Overhangs
Wall Insulation
  • 3" of wool (Havelock)
  • 3" of wood fiber (TimberHP)
  • R22
Ceiling Insulation
  • 6" of wool (Havelock)
  • 6" of wood fiber (TimerHP)
  • R44
Interior Finishes
  • Plywood Walls
  • Felt Ceilings
  • Nopal Doors
Exterior Finishes
  • Hardwood walls
  • Deck
  • Standing seam metal roof
Mechanical
  • Hot & cold water R32 exterior heat pump
  • Radiant heating and cooling
  • No forced air heating and cooling
  • Hyrdronic-based dehumidification
  • MERV 15 whole house filtration
  • 24/7 balanced fresh air every room (Zehnder ERV)
  • unlimited hot water
Air & Moisture Control
  • water-tight, breathable envelope
  • passive house level air sealing
  • balanced ventilation
  • sheep's wool to buffer moisture
  • breathable wood finishes
Chemical Resistance
  • No drywall or paint
  • no foam
  • no carpet
  • VOC-absorbing materials (like wool)
  • polished concrete floors
  • natural materials
Lighting
  • all low voltage lighting
  • low EMF lighting
  • dynamic lighting day to night
  • reduced overhead evening lighting
  • orientation-first glazing placement
Nature
  • outside designed as another room
  • connection to outside
  • natural materials
  • lush, native plants
  • access to outdoor recreation

Seed curious?

Every seed is nurtured into something unique, reach out to learn what yours may grow into.