964 West Dryden Road

The homeowners describe the project thusly: "Built using natural materials and to be sustainable to last centuries, not decades. Round home gives free-flowing air movement without mechanical means and provides for the most area with less building materials. Spent 2 ½ years researching non-toxic and low VOC products for this home. It is the healthiest home I could build. The posts came from our own black walnut trees. Locust for our sill plates replaces pressure treated lumber. All framing lumber locally grown and milled at Collins Mill. We are using the best windows for natural light and heat retention. The straw bale insulation provides a 22" wall, naturally retaining heat in winter and cool in summer. Natural ventilation is provided by a cupola on top of our very unusual round home with a conical roof that is made of recycled rubber and plastics. The countertops, tub and sinks are all made of natural materials. This is an owner-builder project with the participation of many local artisans and volunteers. This house was designed and built following the Ithaca Green Building Alliance principles (see www.ithacagreenbuilding.org for more information)."

Contact Name(s): Joanne & Deborah Cipolla-Dennis
Address: 964 West Dryden Road, Freeville
Type of Building: Residence / Home
Designer: Joanne Cipolla-Dennis and Sarah Highland
Builders: Holistic Homebuilders, Taitem Engineering, Tugley Wood Timberframing, Cross Excavation, Balance Studio, Coler Natural Insulation, Sparks Electric, Randolf Pump and Well, Owners and many volunteers
Year Built: 2007
Building Features: Blaze King high effiiciency, low emission wood burning stove with radiant floor heating as backup; timber-frame construction with strawbale insulation; passive solar; natural ventilation, Eco-Star Roofing; non-toxic finishes/products including clay and lime plaster and clay paints; finished concrete, cork and earthen floors; local materials; recycled/salvaged materials; Energy Star appliances;will have photovoltaics (PV) installed soon

Last updated September 29, 2015