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 compact Moorhaus Cottage 3 features clean-lined simplicity. The welcoming north-facing entry adds character with minimum costs. Its heavy timbers and craftsman-style knee braces are just one of many "quality over quantity" features of this passive solar home that can blend with the woods in rural areas as well as a smaller lot within a city neighborhood.
"Our electricity bills are always quite low, especially when compared to houses of similar size." - Matt
The entry foyer has space for an abundance of coats, boots, custom-built cubbies and desks. A glass door that leads to the living areas creates an airlock entry for energy savings while adding character to transition to the south rooms. The large stone-covered wall with an optional wood stove creates the focal point of the living area that is balanced with an expansive view to the south and the creative staircase on the north.
The U-shaped kitchen features a pantry that takes advantage of the extra storage space beneath the stairs. A nearby door opens to a screened porch off the eating space which is convenient for outdoor dining. The south door off of the dining and living spaces aids flow through outdoor living areas during parties.
The master bedroom also shares the same expansive south view. The two walk-in closets and vanities in two different spaces allows for ease of use by those who like their areas separate. The north window of the master bath helps increase ventilation through the master bedroom.
The east and west bedrooms extend the full length of the home with a central study (optional bedroom) in-between that overlooks the stairs. The large walk-in attic can also become a bedroom, exercise room, entertainment room, etc.
The garage is detached for healthier living and can be located n various places based on the land or lot width. It has space for two vehicles, plus extra space at the south end that may be used as another vehicle space, workshop or greenhouse, with the multitude of southern windows to let in light.
Year-round comfort is maximized with a full concrete slab foundation and a south thermal mass wall that divides the living and sleeping areas. The increased thermal mass with the slab allows for a little more south glass for greater passive solar gain. Floors in south rooms can be covered with stone or tile as well as stained and polished. The 8' high first floor ceilings fit the cozy scale of this practical home. Upstairs ceilings are sloped for character and efficient use of space within the steep roof pitch. The walls are drawn at 6" and can be constructed several ways such as with studs and SIP panels. R-values can be increased with additional exterior insulation described in the Custom Energy Specs.
Since adaptations may affect energy performance and structural integrity, they should only be undertaken with professional assistance.
- For drives that approach from the west (east if reversed), move the small front stoop to the west side of the entry
- Attach the garage to the north side with the above entry change
- Move the laundry to the opposite side of the entry for a direct connection to the master bath, then turn the laundry into an office with French doors that open to the foyer.
- Thicken the walls to allow for more cavity wall insulation instead of adding extra rigid insulation to the outside walls
For this plan, the following are included with Construction Prints and CAD Files:
- Schematic Site Plan
- Slab-on-grade Foundation Plan
- Floor Plans
- Exterior Elevations
- Building Section
- Kitchen Elevations
- Typical Wall Detail
- Schematic Electrical Plans
- Schematic Framing Plans
- Garage Plans
After they move in and get the home decorated and landscaped, clients often send photos as well as comments about their house. Thanks Matt for sharing the exterior photos of your home. For interiors, check out photos of other Moorhaus Cottage and the similar Roseburg Cottage designs that are similar in floor plan design. Many Sun Plans designs have a similar feel inside the home.
While we don't have solar, we did install a geothermal unit and a heat pump water tank. Our walls are 2x6 and insulated with cellulose, making it very quiet inside. Our electricity bills are always quite low, especially when compared to houses of similar size. - Matt
I love how the photos show the full sun on the south wall at mid-day around the summer solstice. That helps keep the home cool in summer. - Debbie Coleman
