2000+ sqft, SIPS, modern design and under 35k??

http://www.greenmodernkits.com/r1.htm

Rain Gardens

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/02/AR2008070200900.html

Cooking via induction

http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/03/technology/power_induction.moneymag/index.htm?section=money_realestate

Works great for recharging electronics, looks like it has other interesting purposes as well.

The end of an era

Well that was short lived. After taking a closer look at land costs, architectural fees, and material costs I decided that trying to build anything within 60 miles of where I work would require a few more decade's worth of savings. And that's taking into account the moderate price drops we've seen as a result of the myriad issues in the US housing markets. I'd still like to pursue this, but it would have to be somewhere else in the country. I have no immediate plans for moving, so I've taken nearly all of my house fund and put it into the markets.

It's rebate time

http://www.dsireusa.org/

A quick link to a website that provides information on state incentives for Green technologies. I haven't looked at any states outside CT, but for CT the listing looks pretty thorough. Certainly more so than many other sites I've drifted across.

Pattern #159: Light on two sides of every room

It works exactly as it sounds, Alexander argues that every room should have light coming from at least two walls. This is one I'm concerned about given the PS constraints seem to directly conflict.

One idea that the commenter on a previous post introduced was an interior atrium idea. The light still comes in from the south, but rooms beside the atrium can have W/E windows facing the atrium. They would therefore have light coming from two walls, while not exposing the house to sunlight on external W/E walls.

Major downside I imagine would be cost (the atrium requires additional walls and might end up being ineffective living space). One more idea to added to the list of possibilities.

Basic Features

The features I'm looking for in order of importance

Must Haves:

1. Passive Solar
2. Media Room (a room where light can be tightly controlled)
3. Liberal use of daylighting
4. Library

Wants:

1. Somewhere to store electronic equipment, preferably with some sound isolation and close to the media room.
2. Workshop