Open Architecture Network

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Miller Homestead was settled by the Miller family in 1890. On the property there is the farmhouse built in 1923 and extensively remodeled in the '70's and '80's. Also on the property is a small 100 year old log building that had been used as a smithy in the repair of the train tracks that led up the hill to the family's coal mine - now disused. Though the building was still in relatively good condition, it was drafty and unusable as anything other than a storage space and dog house. The current owners of the property wanted to convert the building into a useable guesthouse. They wanted to preserve the old building as much as possible and make it energy efficient and green wherever possible. They re-sealed the old log construction; framed up, insulated, and drywalled the interior. Created a small walled in bathroom with a composting toilet. Tiled the floor with recycled ceramic tile from a kitchen remodel. Built a small deck with recycled lumber that extends out over the creek next to the building. Recycled lumber was also used to build a small porch roof over the entry and as infil for the large vehicle access opening in the log structure. A new corrugated metal roof was installed to replace the old rusted one. Plans are currently in hand to install a solar hot water heat system on the roof.