You're correct that the house isn’t small. I designed a smaller house to begin with, as my ideal green house; then, certain factors influenced the design. Let me explain the reasons behind my choices.
First: The house is not on a small city lot where it covers the whole property. It fits the acre and a third quite nicely, and is actually modest in a community where people regularly build 10,000 and 15,000 square foot homes. I wanted to show people who build those homes that, even if they are going to build big, they can simplify the design and incorporate things like straw bales, recycled materials and non-toxic materials so that they have less of an impact on the planet and provide healthier living spaces for their families. I've had 1,500 people from the community through the house, including many architects and contractors. They are influential people who can guide the community.
Second: The house is designed to entertain. I’m a very social person and I live in one of the most popular places to visit in the country. I have friends and relatives from all over the world who come to visit me regularly. I have a large guest suite that is occupied most of the time. It's about 600 square feet of space, under the same roof, where my parents can stay for weeks on end and feel like they have privacy. I love providing visitors with a place that’s as nice as home.
Third: This is all about exploring new ways of building. People's consciousness of green building exists along a continuum. I am not perfect, but I want to give people a taste of what can be done and inspire them to see that they can build beautiful homes that are easier on the planet and much healthier to live in.
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