Study Plans include:
- A mini set of design-oriented drawings set up for 11"x17".
- A choice between a Paper version sent by US Priority Mail or the PDF version sent via email.
- Unlimited printing with PDF's for sharing with family members.
- 6 to 9 pages of drawings depending upon the complexity of the home.
- Click here to see an example set for a 1.5 story home with daylight basement.
- Schematic site plan, floor plans (with room sizes and furniture), daylight basements if applicable, exterior elevations, a schematic section of the house to help visualize the interior, kitchen elevations and garage plans.
- A mini set of construction drawings set up for 11"x17"
- Choice of PAPER sent by US Priority Mail or PDF version sent via email. (Select PDF to print extra copies or share electronically with other building professionals.)
- 10 to 16 pages of drawings depending upon the complexity of the home.(See each house plan description for the drawings that come with each design.)
- Dimensions and construction notes.
- Click here to see an example Review Set of a 1.5 story home with daylight basement.
- A copy of the Study Plan.
- An "Opinion of Probable Construction Cost" from Sun Plans if requested. Sun Plans evaluates the design and compares it to similar home designs for which other clients have provided construction costs. A range of construction cost is provided. (This is based on national information. Sun Plans does not have statistics by state, region or country.)
- Six sets of Construction Prints on 24"x36" paper shipped via UPS ground or PDF computer files sent by email
- 10 to 16 pages of drawings depending upon the size and complexity of the home. (See individual house plan descriptions for specific drawings for each design.)
- Schematic site plan (cover sheet showing how to orient the house for passive solar gain)
- Foundation Plan (either slab-on-grade, crawlspace, below grade or daylight basement)
- First and second floor plans (many construction notes, window sizes, etc.)
- Exterior elevations (all four sides shown in hatched detail)
- Schematic Building section (cut-away through the home showing basic configuration)
- Kitchen elevations (all sides of the kitchen)
- Typical wall detail (showing the various building materials recommended)
- Schematic electrical (showing lights, switches and outlets)
- Schematic framing plans (showing floor framing, roof framing and beams)
- Garage or Carport
- Custom Energy Specs. (Read more.)
- Under the Tell Me More about the Review Set, you can see an example set of drawings; however, with Construction Prints, the plans are updated to the current in-house checklist, do not have the Not For Construction, and include the Custom Energy Specs.
- One hour of technical support with the architect by email or phone
- Order Construction Prints through the Pricing tab on any house plan.
- After an order is placed, reply to the email received to advise of the requested information Sun Plans will need to prepare the Custom Energy Specs.
- Allow 5 business days for updating the design to the Sun Plans in-house checklist and preparation of the the Custom Energy Specs. (Shipping then takes another 3-7 days.)
- With PDF's, unlimited copies of the Construction Prints can be printed locally so long as they are used for building one home. PDF's are handy for sending to builders, mortgage companies, appraisers, home energy raters, and others who may be assisting with the planning and construction of the home such as the builder's subcontractors. Some building inspection departments require PDF.
- CAD files of the Construction Drawings (see below for options)
- PDF file of the Construction Prints (see Construction Prints)
- PDF file of Custom Energy Specs
- PDF file of Copyright Release to allow the house to be modified and changed to build one house
- Under the Tell Me More about the Review Set, you can see an example set of drawings; however, with Construction Prints and CAD Files, the plans are updated to the current in-house checklist, do not have the Not For Construction, and include the Custom Energy Specs.
- One hour of technical support. This can include review by the Sun Plans' architect on proposed changes prior to preparing Custom Energy Specs. If the customer sends a list of proposed changes immediately after placing the order, the architect can review them for energy implications and try to address them in the Custom Energy Specs.
- Order CAD files through the Pricing tab on any house plan.
- After an order is placed, reply to the email received to advise of the requested information Sun Plans will need to prepare the Custom Energy Specs.
- Allow 5 business days for to allow for updating the design to the Sun Plans in-house checklist and preparation of the the Custom Energy Specs.
- With the CAD files, many changes can be made to the design.
- With PDF's (part of the CAD file order), unlimited copies of the Construction Prints can be printed locally so long as they are used for building one home. PDF's are handy for sending to builders, mortgage companies, appraisers, home energy raters, and others who may be assisting with the planning and construction of the home such as the builder's subcontractors. Some building inspection departments require PDF.
- If consulting on changes is desired before the order is placed, then Adapt-A-SunPlan Consulting and Review Service is the process to take.
- The design professional may expand the house a couple of feet, change the exterior materials, move a bathroom, or rearrange interior walls and doors.
- The structural engineer may want to add engineering information such as rebar sizes and specific connections suitable for the local codes, soils, winds, snow or seismic activity.
- The builder may find it easier to perform take offs and layouts with this electronic version of construction prints.
- Home Energy Raters or HVAC subs creating duct work layouts can increase the speed and accuracy of their services.
- The CAD Files are designed to be used by an experienced residential design professional
- The standard method of preparing the CAD files is in AutoCAD 2000 DWG file type, with the files split into separate files. Approximately 95% of CAD file orders are prepared in this format. (Sun Plans can export to any version of AutoCAD between version 12 (released in 1992) and 2021, but 2000 is the default as that seems to be the most common one that design professionals can use including those with older versions of the software. It is not uncommon for other design professionals to use very old versions of AutoCAD.
- Can't use any of these CAD File types, but still want the local design professional to copy and redraw the design with changes? The Copyright Release that comes only with CAD Files allow for this. (Please see Copyright.)
- Special requests for all-in-one CAD files, DXF or AEC (DataCAD) files can be honored if advised within one business day of the order.
- Split CAD Files are divided into separate files - cover sheet, foundation, first floor, second floor, elevations, section, kitchen, wall detail, and detached garage as applicable. More than one of the printed sheet may be in each file. For instance, the fp1elect and fp1framing will also be in the fp1 file, but these are recommended to be printed separately as shown in the PDF files that come with the CAD Files.
- More questions? Have the design professional contact us.
The Maple Nut embodies simple contemporary lines, practical living and creativity in a compact floor plan with two bedrooms and two baths on the main floor. The full stair case leads to a small second floor for extra storage, a future bedroom and bath, or a quiet meditation or exercise area. Outdoor living areas are on the north-facing front of the home and the east-facing side leaving the south side unobstructed for southern sun and great views.
"My house is all-electric, and I am on the TVA Green Energy program - My last month bill was -$ 63.00."
Wow, that's a $63 credit! While not every month is negative energy use, it is nice to see a minus sign in the electric bill.
The front foyer is centered on the fireplace flanked by south-facing windows. The large open entertaining space in the center of the home is surrounded by an open kitchen, spacious dining and large living area with flex-space for a desk nook, pantry or alternate hearth location. The sloped ceilings of these spaces adds a dramatic effect.
The master suite (also with slightly vaulted ceilings) is easily accessed off of the main living area and will be basked in southern light. Its bathroom with both a tub and curbless shower is creatively and practically arranged to allow for use by the family foyer as well. The laundry area in the family foyer is convenient for both the master and second bedroom.
From the foyer, the visitor can easily access bedroom 2 which is practical for home office use or AirBnB rental. The study nook between the two small closets has an expansive east view and north windows for balanced light. Close proximity to the kitchen makes it easy for the cook to go back and forth between office work and house work. Being on opposite corners of the house from the master bedroom creates privacy for both bedrooms.
The spacious kitchen has views to the east and to the south over the dining area. The main work area of the kitchen has the main appliances in an L shape for ease of meal prep. The huge central island serves as a secondary work area and as well as a place for informal meals. Views to the living area keep the cook in the action. Two areas are available for pantry storage.
Upstairs a storage area runs the entire length of the north side of the home. One side can house a large bedroom and closet while the smaller side can house a large bathroom. An optional door on the west side of that space could lead down to a balcony or an exterior set of stairs.
The front porch softens the north side and makes the home a relaxing place for summer sunsets. The east porch is perfectly situated for summer cookouts.
The two-vehicle garage has the same clean roof lines as the main house. The surface is large enough to mount the solar panels for electricity for the main house. Windows on the south side allow the garage to be used as a greenhouse during cold months.
Construction Info
The modern design has a low sloped shed roof line created with economical trusses. Vaulted ceilings with partial scissor trusses rise up to the north to the open attic-style trusses on the upper north end. The north rooms on the first floor have 9' tall ceilings. Exterior walls are designed to be thicker, energy-saving, staggered stud construction, but they could be easily substituted with other systems. The concrete slab foundation provides thermal mass to help minimize winter overheating and interior temperature swings year-round.
Since these ideas may affect energy performance and structural integrity, they should only be undertaken with professional assistance.
- If land slopes to the south, add a sunny, walkout basement full of possibilities. Stairs can be located near the front entry.
- Attach the garage to the side of the house. Connect it with a short, covered area that could be a balcony from the upstairs.
For this plan, the following are included with orders for Construction Prints and CAD Files:
- Schematic Site Plan
- Slab Foundation Plan
- Floor Plan
- Exterior Elevations
- Building Section
- Kitchen Elevations
- Typical Wall Detail
- Schematic Electrical
- Schematic Framing Plan
- Custom Energy Specs
Ronnie built his home to exceed most of the Sun Plans minimum recommendations - now, that is unusual! He used more insulation under the slab, in the walls and in the roof since he was doing most of the work himself and labor was free. He heavily researched the energy and structural details further. If he had the house tested (which he did not), the home would surely meet or exceed the extreme Passivhaus standard. On an annual basis, the home is Zero Net Energy. A photo shows his small array of PV panels that are pole mounted near a shed away from the house. This is about half as many PV panels as most homes this size would have due to the low energy load of his home.
He asked us to be sure to point out how the kitchen sink corner windows open up to the east and north to allow cross ventilation and for a view of the driveway and front yard.
"I think it is one of your more excellent touches to your plan ( just one of many that I love about this house)." - Ronnie
The photo of the unique truss that Sun Plans designed to house the upper north bonus room is very cool!
"I have done most of the work myself and just enjoying the project." - Ronnie
Thanks, Ronnie for the comments and photos!
