Earthship Farmstead

A Net-Zero, “Passive House” Certified Home in the Mountains of Southern Virginia

The Challenge

The clients wanted to create a self-sufficient farm on their 100-acre property in the mountains of southern Virginia—including their vision that “sheep can graze on our roof.” The design challenge was creating a home partially buried into a steep hillside that could support a living green roof while achieving both net-zero energy performance and Passive House certification. 

The Design Solution

We designed the home to nestle into the hillside, with native grasses from the surrounding field extending over the concrete roof structure—creating a literal grazing surface for sheep while providing exceptional insulation and storm water management. 

The partially buried design takes advantage of stable ground temperatures, while the strategic orientation and shading devices carefully admit winter sun for passive heating while blocking summer sun. Fixed and operable shading elements work together to optimize seasonal solar gain, critical for achieving Passive House performance in a mountain climate. 

Energy Performance

This project achieved the rare triple certification of Passive House, LEED Platinum, and Net-Zero Energy—demonstrating the highest levels of sustainable design performance. The super-insulated building envelope includes the living roof system, which provides exceptional insulation value (R-60) while naturally managing and filtering storm water. 

Details

Completion date: 2012
Project size: 3,263 sf
Building shell: R-28 slab; R-32 walls; R-61 roof
Materials: Eastern white cedar shingles, local fieldstone, metal and sod roof, Makrowin windows
Systems: Aerothermal heat pumps for heat and AC, ERVs for fresh air, Solar thermal system for hot water, Photovoltaic system on adjacent barn with batteries for electricity
Energy Savings over typical new home: 100%+
Awards: USGBC 2013 Home of the Year
Certifications: Passive House, LEED for Homes Platinum

Architect: Kaplan Thompson Architects
Project Manager: Jamie Broadbent - contributed to project while an employee at Kaplan Thompson Architects
Builder: Structures Design Build
Photography: Brett Lemon Photography