THE BOULDER HOUSE

Stylistically akin to California’s historic missions, the Dunham-Kidwell straw bale residence is located in eastern San Diego county overlooking amazing mountain views. The design of the home was built around a huge boulder, whose thermal mass and surrounding moat in the home’s great room cool and humidify the air in summer and passively heat it in winter. Above the boulder is a central tower with an oversized fan that draws air up and out in summer and re-circulates warm air in the winter months. The roof overhangs and the arched arcade minimize solar heat gain during the summer.

Super-insulated straw bale walls make the building act like a thermos that holds warm air during the winter and cool air during the summer, which is essential in the desert-like climate. Title 24 energy calculations show the house exceeds California standard compliance by 41%! Earthen plaster interior walls and earthen floors consist of all natural materials that do not emit chemicals, unlike more conventional finishes.

Solar panels pre-heat the water, and future photovoltaic panels in conjunction with existing inverter and battery storage will eventually provide most of the home’s electricity.

The home is surrounded by Xeriscape landscaping, which is low water and low maintenance.

See a beautiful short video of the boulder home here.