River Sol reached a symbolic milestone in July with the conclusion of wood framing and siding as the home’s design evolved from architectural concept to three-dimensional reality.
Its roof angles, window spaces, and curving patio overlooking the frothy Deschutes River demonstrate River Sol’s oneness with its surroundings. Standing inside and outside the home, one immediately experiences how the design brings natural light, sight, and sound to and within River Sol.
The exacting design maximizes light penetration and sight lines looking west over the river. Windows facing south are angled to capture maximum sun, light, and warmth in winter. River Sol’s walls – there’s an outer wall and inner wall about one foot away from the exterior – provides a thick barrier for insulation that will help the home retain warmth in winter and remain cool in summer.
The kitchen will be a source of inspiration beyond flavor with its expansive river-facing windows and dining bar.
Interior floors are concrete and will be polished to a shine.
Framing is exact, with tight-fitting joints and carefully cut angles on the sustainably harvested wood. No figurative cutting of corners in this craftsmanship.
Venturing onto the roof on a July day, it’s easy to see how the solar panels that will be installed on the roof of the second story ADU (accessory dwelling unit) will capture maximum sun for power generation. The ADU’s roof tilts south and the scattered Ponderosa pines around the home present little shading interruption for the future panels.
The home’s roof also serves as a giant platter for rain and melting snow that will drain through filters into a large cistern for storing all the water River Sol needs for its occupants. The cistern is a large shipping container that will be lined with a waterproof bladder to store the water. The container will be half buried on the home’s east side, paralleling the garage, with the upper portion covered by plantings. Water from the cistern will be treated by ultraviolet light and other filters before consumption.
Owners Scott and Lisa May hosted a summer soiree with live music, food, and drink in early July to mark River Sol’s progress and thank the contractors, consultants, and designers who’ve worked on the project. It also provided a chance to introduce neighbors to the home and its many earth-friendly features.
Significant work remains, with completion tentatively scheduled for early first quarter 2023, but the Mays’ vision to create Bend’s second Living Building, assuming it’s certified by the International Living Future Institute following a performance audit, is coming into sharper focus every day.