Upper Floor
Life at Katywil: The houses inside
A major part of simplifying your life is to live in a more modest space. At Katywil, each house will be 1300 square feet, roughly half the size of the average new house now built in the Northeast.
Decreasing the house size also decreases its energy need and allows the passive solar, photovoltaic and hydropower energy sources to heat and cool your house, as well as provide for hot water and appliances.
First (upper) floor: In the floor plan above, note that the north (top) wall has fewer windows than the south (bottom) wall, which overlooks Stone Mountain and the valley. Note also the differences in wall thickness: the thicker walls are a foot of blown-in, dense-packed cellulose, with an R-value of 45. Ceilings throughout are R-55.
Note, too, the ramp from the garage into the panty and kitchen. The first floor of each house is designed using ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards and approved by a consultant from Independent Living Resources. The entrance is ramped; doorways are wide enough for wheelchairs, and there are no thresholds. The first-floor bathroom is handicapped accessible. Each house has one garage space, a mudroom, a screened porch, and storage space.
Lower Floor
Second (lower floor): The lower floor has two guest bedrooms, one of which might be used for an office, and a bath. At the rear, there is a large storage and utilities room. For those who might need it, this floor could also be used as separate living space for a caregiver.
The price of the house plans is included in the purchase price of the house. Any architectural changes to these plans must be paid for by the owner.
Katywil Mini House Floor Plan
The Mini House echoes the design and planning of the Essential House on a smaller scale. A garage is optional.