The latest in a series of Bend Bulletin articles chronicling the Desert Rain project, this article gives a brief overview of project parameters as well as insight in to some of the methodology behind the project....
The foundation is well underway at Desert Rain, the Living Building Challenge home we are building in one of Bend, Oregon's older neighborhoods. At every step of the way, this project involves careful consideration of the materials used, where they come from, how they...
We have been working closely with Parr Lumber, in Bend, to identify and source an alternative to Pressure Treated (PT) Lumber for the Desert Rain Project. This Living Building Challenge project has pushed us and out suppliers to look at every aspect of building in a...
Last week, we broke ground on the Living Building Challenge project, Desert Rain. It's an exciting project that has been in the works for some time. The commencement of construction was an exciting step for everyone involved. Excavation is not an easy process on this project. The views offered by...
As the design for 'Desert Rain' draws nearer to completion, the design team is finalizing a few remaining details. Envisioning what the end product will look like can be a challenge and for the 'Desert Rain' project, many of the finish selections are not simply...
The potato barn wood reclamation project has been a slow but steady process. As more of the wood is revealed, we able to better assess the product and the appropriate applications for it. For now, we've identified the floor joists from the barn as potential trusses and rafters...
We recently erected poles on the future Desert Rain homesite to mock window openings and roof overhangs. Wanting to capture the very best views this amazing lot has to offer, we used lumber (that will be used later to construct the home) to create an outline...
We recently visited an old potato barn in Central Oregon with the hopes of reclaiming lumber and large timbers. The barn owner plans to tear down the structure because it is in disrepair and is a safety concern and a liability. Our hope is to...
Bend homeowners work -- and pay -- to make their home eco-friendly By John Stearns business editor / The Bulletin Published: November 07. 2010 4:00AM PST Some people probably question the money Tom Elliott and Barbara Scott are spending to create the greenest home possible in Bend —...
But Bend couple is not giving up on building extremely green home By Kate Ramsayer / The Bulletin Published: November 01. 2010 4:00AM PST Editor’s note: Tom Elliott and Barbara Scott invited The Bulletin to follow their green-building project from start to finish to share their goals, decisions,...