New timeline...slight delay

Hi all:

We now have a new timeline for Casa de KP3, as follows:

• Issue bid packages by end of February to our prospective contractors
• Bidding and selection of contractor by end of March
• Contract negotiation and permitting in April
• Break ground in May!

So when will we move in? Hard to say but we're guessing the build will take about 5 months which puts us moving at the end of Sept. But we'll know more once the bids are in.

3D entry + casita first floor

Again, although not final, this shows the main entry which leads to the common utility room (see W/D stacked through window in door). To the right is the first floor of the casita. You'll notice we are using pocket doors where ever we can to save space. Up the stairs in the casita will be Kris' bedroom and bath, plus awesome sleeping porch (lucky, lucky girl!). We'll share this as soon as we can.

In addition to the washer/dryer, the utility room will have a mechanical room (for hot water tank), utility sink, space for sewing machine, cabinets, and secret kitty litter box location with cat door directly through wall into the casita (so no one has to look at or smell kitty litter boxes!) In fact, here is a photo of the view from the kitty litter box into the casita kitchen (our architect has quite a sense of humor!)

Main house "Commons" in 3D

Hi all! While this may not be final, attached are two views of the Main House Commons area. We consider the Commons to be the kitchen, dining and living areas on the first floor of the "big" house. We plan to use IKEA cabinets because (a) we really like them and (b) it will save us a bundle over custom cabinets (and we can apply the savings to photo-voltaic panels!). Countertops will be concrete and done by a very talented ABQ man named Joseph. Floors will be stained concrete also because of the economy as well as to provide mass to collect and store the solar energy gained through the south windows. We like how Leslie (architect) has lowered the kitchen ceiling somewhat to give a cozier and more intimate feel. We also really like the way she sunk the stove and range hood in a little recessed arch in the kitchen. And the open stairs really appeal to us too.


We are using Google SketchUp to view these designs. It's a free application from Google and allows you to move around in 3D looking at every nook and cranny. Very cool! And so helpful when you are designing a home from a distance.

We should have 3D designs for the first floor of the Casita soon. Stay tuned!

early 3-D drawings

Hi all!  We have a couple of early 3D drawings of Casa de KP3 to share. No windows yet, but you can see the decks, sleeping porches, and passive cooling towers (no a/c for KP3!). This is considered a Northern New Mexican style home. Tin roof, stucco exterior, xeriscaped grounds. Together with the schematic designs you can start to see how it is all coming together. :)

Sweet, huh? :)

Schematic Designs

Hi all! I have attached the schematic designs to both the first floor and the second floor of the house. As you can see, we actually have two houses (a "big" house and a casita) sort of fused together by a vestibule and mudroom. The plan is for the "big" house to have community eating and living space downstairs. The downstairs bedroom and bath will be Marguerite's. Karin and I will have the upstairs bedroom and bath...and my office will be up there too (did I mention that I will be working in my current job but as a telecommuter! :)) Kris' casita has her bedroom and bath upstairs and her living area and kitchen downstairs. Our architect Leslie did a wonderful job of structuring comfortable common space, while also ensuring we all have adequate private space...inside and outside!

The garage is really a "bike barn." we are planning a half loft upstairs where Karen's bike fit studio will be. Let us know what you think!

The design and construction of Casa de KP3

Welcome to our humble blog of the design and construction of Casa de KP3, our sustainable family compound in Albuquerque, New Mexico. First...a little background:

• KP3 = Karen Partlow, Karin Perry and Kristin Perry (Karin's twin sister). (oh...and Marguerite Perry, mother of Karin and Kris, will also be joining us in the compound!)
• KP3 purchased a 1/3 acre lot in a residential/agricultural area of the North Valley of Albuquerque (ABQ) in the fall of 2009.
• We've been working with our FANTASTIC architect (Leslie Buerk of Kalyx Studio in ABQ) since early 2010 designing the house and the grounds. Leslie is a permaculturalist which basically means she take a holistic approach to designing a home, considering the orientation of the lot, its topography, prevailing winds, angle of the sun, etc. She has an incredible aesthetic and is just one of the most pleasant people we've had a chance to work with. We do hope to call her "friend" long after the construction project is over. 
• We are aiming for a Net Zero home...which means it would create as much (or more) energy as it uses (through photo voltaic panels for electricity, capturing passive solar for heat, and solar heated hot water). Not only will this minimize our collective carbon footprint, but it will also help us contain our ongoing energy expenses going forward.
• Timeline: We are hoping to get the bid process with select contractors started before end of January...select our contractor in February...and break ground in March. If this happens as planned, then we expect to move by the end of summer. But hopefully we'll have a better idea of timing in the coming weeks.

I guess that's good for now. I'll post things like the schematic designs, 3Ds designs, links to finishes and the sort...and then once construction begins, I'll post weekly updates with pictures (provided by Leslie) of the build. Thanks for your interest in our little project. We hope you all will come visit us in ABQ!

Karen (for Karen, Karin and Kris)