Designed by Robert M. Cain Architect, this 2800-sqf house consists of three-bedroom. RainShine is contemporary in design and is named for key design features. The unique butterfly roof is designed to capture rainfall for a rain harvest system located in the basement (Rain) and is oriented to maximize southern exposure for a roof mounted photovoltaic system (Shine).

The butterfly design, with it’s inverted gable, simplifies rainwater collection, eliminates extensive gutter and downspout systems and the associated maintenance headaches common in conventional gabled or hip roofed homes. The butterfly roof structured with steel beams spanned by exposed 1- 1/2” tongue-and-groove wood decking shelters the living room, dining, kitchen and guest bedrooms. The roof floats above continuous clerestories allowing light to flood into the interior. Light shelves around the clerestory sills bounce and diffuse natural light throughout the interior.

The home features large expanses of thermally broken glazing with solar shades and operable windows. Spaces are defined by “thick walls” containing storage, bookshelves, niches, pass-throughs, closets, audio/visual equipment, systems, etc. except at certain utility areas, interior walls stop short of the ceilings and are topped by glazing, thus enhancing the floating roof effect.

RainShine was constructed under the LEED for Homes Program Pilot Rating System. Upon completion it was awarded the highest possible rating, LEED Platinum, having exceeded the requirements by a significant 11 points. RainShine has earned the unique distinction of being the first contemporary/modernist home in the Southeastern United States to achieve this rating. The home is also certified by the Energy Star and EarthCraft home programs.

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 24th, 2011 at 7:08 am and is filed under House Ideas. Tags: butterfly design, green home, Green House, Green House Ideas, guest bedrooms, house ideas, LEED for Homes, operable windows, photovoltaic system, rainshine, RainShine House, Robert M. Cain Architect, roof structured, thick walls, wood decking. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.