Pura Vida - An Energy Concept Home

Building Pura Vida has changed the way we look at energy usage and ways to minimize it. This was our first experience with SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels), ICFs (Insulated Concrete Forms), earth tubes, and the idea of extreme energy efficiency. This home is so well-insulated and constructed, we were heating it with our work lights overnight with outside temperatures in the teens.

Timber Frame

This shows the timber frame partially installed. We had to put up the SIP walls to carry the end of the left-hand half of the ridge beam, then we could later add the rest of the rafters.

Pumping concrete into the ICF foundation walls

The home is beautiful, functional, and efficient.

This shows the north side with front porch & screened porch. Next to the screened porch at right is an inlet for the Earth Tube.