Earth Bound Homes project manager, Brett Morrow describes the process of installing radiant heating at the Cereza Passive House. Using a lightweight concrete-like material called gypcrete, which combines cement and gypsum and is also found in sheetrock, to overlay the pecks radiant twos that run throughout the house. In the basement, we use cork insulation to insulate the topping slab from the underlying structural concrete, even though the structural concrete is itself insulated. We do this to increase the response time of the slab and make it easier to change the temperature in the basement. The warm floors are important to the client. The silent warm heat will be a welcome departure from the normally lousy, loud forced air heating systems they have in their current home.

What does it take to insulate a home to Passive House standards and what do you have to do to get all of that insulation in a house? In this video, we take you into what we did to add insulation into the floors, walls and roof of a house to get it to be a comfortable, ultra-quiet and highly efficient Passive House. We will also discuss the decisions we had to make on insulation choices because the home is so close to the beach.

Thank you for joining us on our 2024 “Behind the Scenes” Cereza Passive House Tour Palo Alto!

The Ceresa Passive House was opened for a tour this spring. Over 150 people, including architects, builders homeowners and people who want to know more about the future of homebuilding descended upon the Palo Alto house for a day of exciting education.

We had EcoCoccon who described their straw panels and talked about the benefits of low body carbon and high insulation in the carbon-negative, waste product-produced building panels. We also had Ram Earthworks visit us and tell us about their amazing panels made of cement and dirt that formed an incredibly beautiful product that was also durable and long lasting. Zola Windows came out and described the benefits, of airtight high-efficiency windows to make Homes more comfortable, long-lasting, and smoke-tight, protecting human health and providing environmental conservation. David Arkin, Arkin Tilt architects, was there to talk about the design of the series of Passive Houses, and Anthony Dente from Verdent Structural Engineers, describes the effort to foil, the big Bad Wolf and design a strong resilient home made of straw and earthquake country.

Lastly, David Edwards with Earth Bound Homes, talked about the goals of the house being LEED Platinum, Passive House, and Living Building Challenge focused design and construction

Tesla home batteries and any home batteries are great at giving you a house that can withstand a black out and be charged by the sun forever. The ability to do good for your wallet, good for independence from oil companies and good work for the planet is an investment with great ROI. However, that investment comes at a huge cost that until recently, had no better alternative. Now we do have an alternative and we are excited to start installing this in all of our homes.

Everybody remembers the feeling when descending into their basement or a friend's basement when they were children. They were typically dark, damp, smelly places that were always cold and wet and smelled of old socks, no matter what the weather was like outside. Here, Craig Novak, Project Manager for Jake's House, shows us how we can build a modern, dry, warm, comfortable basement that will stand the test of time and will be an amazingly comfortable place in the home, no matter what the weather is like outside.

Follow our channel Building A Better Way with Earth Bound Homes - YouTube as we explore the fascinating world of building, how to build a Passive House, things that go right and those that don’t…and so much more!

The main bathroom of our client’s -Mid-Century-Modern home was transformed into an oasis of tranquility, combining the indulgence of a sauna, a shower, and an Ofuro soaking tub. The design embraces a harmonious blend of modern luxury and timeless elegance, creating a space that invites relaxation and rejuvenation.

As you enter the main bathroom, you are greeted by a spacious and serene ambiance. Against one wall, a beautifully crafted sauna with floor-to-ceiling glass panels stands as a centerpiece. The sauna's glass is treated to maintain clarity and privacy while offering glimpses of the luxurious features within.

Made from the finest cedarwood, the sauna exudes a warm and inviting scent. The meticulously designed benches, carefully contoured for comfort, beckon you to take a seat and enjoy the therapeutic heat that envelops the room. Soft, ambient lighting casts a soothing glow, adding to the overall ambiance.

Adjacent to the sauna, an expansive walk-in shower area awaits. It features a luxurious combination of rainfall showerheads, adjustable body jets, and a hand-held shower wand. The shower space is adorned with elegant marble or sleek tiles, creating a sophisticated and opulent atmosphere.

In the corner of the bathroom, nestled beneath a large picture window, sits a magnificent Ofuro soaking tub. Crafted from natural stone or high-quality ceramic, the tub offers a deep and inviting basin for a truly immersive bathing experience. The sleek design and gentle curves of the tub exude a sense of tranquility, inviting you to indulge in a moment of serenity.

The Ofuro soaking tub is complemented by carefully placed accessories such as a small wooden stool, a low table for holding bath essentials or a cup of tea, and soft, fluffy towels within arm's reach. Soft lighting, provided by strategically positioned fixtures or dimmable sconces, creates a serene and intimate atmosphere, allowing you to immerse yourself in blissful relaxation.

To ensure the ultimate comfort and convenience, the bathroom features a smart control system that allows you to adjust the temperature and settings of the sauna, shower, and soaking tub effortlessly. Integrated speakers fill the space with your choice of soothing music, further enhancing the luxurious retreat.

Proper ventilation and humidity control systems are discreetly incorporated into the design, ensuring optimal air quality and preventing moisture buildup in the space. This ensures that the bathroom remains a haven of comfort and tranquility at all times.

The main bathroom, complete with the indulgence of a sauna, a shower combination, and an Ofuro soaking tub, offers a haven of relaxation within your own home. With its harmonious design, sumptuous materials, and thoughtful amenities, it provides a sanctuary where you can escape the demands of everyday life and immerse yourself in a world of pure serenity and rejuvenation.

A serene oasis to start and end your day

Made from the finest cedarwood, the sauna exudes a warm and inviting scent. The meticulously designed benches, carefully contoured for comfort, beckon you to take a seat and enjoy the therapeutic heat that envelops the room. Soft, ambient lighting casts a soothing glow, adding to the overall ambiance.Make it stand out.

The primary cause of home failures is overwhelmingly not earthquakes, hurricanes, or foundation issues, but rather water damage. Nearly every house we've encountered has experienced water-related issues that lead to mold growth, rot, termite infestations, structural damage, and even contribute to sick building syndrome. Whether you're planning to construct a superior home or simply replace a window while ensuring a trouble-free future, we invite you to watch this informative video.

https://youtu.be/ahG91mHCId8?si=-AbixFk0Y2mO2SdL

What do you need to know to build a foundation for your new home or Accessory Dwelling Unit? In this video, Dave talks to Brett, the Project Manager at our Cereza Passive House, about why the house has a much different foundation than the ADU and why this makes perfect sense, considering the goals for the two buildings are completely different.

Interested to know how to spend your money wisely while building a next-generation home? Watch this video from our "Building a Better Way with Earth Bound Homes" YouTube channel.

While not a Passive House, this project is stunning for its architecture, designed by Fergus Garber Architects. The new custom house will be an amazing home for our clients and their family, and one of the defining features is the beautiful and strategic use of arches and curves which are seen throughout the home, including this staircase.

However, these amazing architectural elements require craftsmanship and a bit of artistry, as trees usually grow quite straight, and if you want a curve, you have to carefully build it with a lot of pieces of that straight wood.

If you want to know more, watch this video and see how a curve can make "ho-hum" into "WOW! ".

https://youtu.be/SE6dmyjgbgY?si=hYOwFcY9EDlddLJ7

Building a Passive House basement takes a lot of planning, a great structural engineer, and someone paying attention to how much everything costs. Basements are the most expensive space in a house in California. Dirt has to be dug up and removed, and then a very strong foundation has to take its place. If you want to know more about what it takes to build something that will withstand the next "big one" but doesn't break the bank, we invite you to watch this video.