|
Insulation is indeed key, so is minimal surface area, domes give you that but they make poor use of the space and unless you have free skilled labor they cost alot to finish, at least the one I worked on did and it was cramped for the size of space it was (5,000sf) because so much space inside of it is nearly impossible to use.
Keep your window count low, most of your light comes from the south so most of your windows should be on the south but windows are also your greatest heat loss so they need to be good windows and if they don't fit with the space then you are stuck making the space bigger to work around the windows because not everyone wants to feel like they are living in a fish bowl.
Light tubes bring in alot of light for the size, sky lights cost alot, they are a cold spot in the house, they tend to leak and they don't bring in as much light as a light tube for the space they take up.
Every house has utilities and they should be as close to the demand as possible, so the water heater should be in between the bath room and the kitchen, personally I would do a slab on grade then do a pit basement for the utilities, that way your water heater and furnace or back up heat source are not taking up living space but are instead under a trap door under the living space, a 10x10 foot room should be plenty.
|