Kalamazoo Eco Home

This is the entry to the solar home. To the left are 'water tubes', which are 14" diameter acrylic tubes filled with water to provide additional thermal mass to the home. Thermal mass helps moderate the daily temperature swings in the interior. On the right is a Russian fireplace, which is also a high thermal mass element. Wood is loaded in and burns quickly and cleanly. It takes about three hours before the heat is felt, and it can radiant heat out for up to 24 hours. On the backside of the fireplace, facing into the dining room, is a bake oven that is heated by the fireplace. Natural ventilation is assisted in the house with the operable skylights located at the top of high entry ceiling. Kipnis Architecture + Planning