Confluence Gallery’s Methow Valley Tour of Homes

Showcases Green and Sustainable Building Practices

The 2008 Methow Valley Tour of Homes, on Saturday, June 28, features homes that incorporate green and sustainable building practices. Green building encourages the efficient use of energy, water and materials, while reducing negative impacts on health and the environment through better siting, design, construction, and reuse of materials.

The theme of this year’s tour is “Moving the Methow Toward Green.” As concerns about cost, reliability and cumbersome mechanics have been addressed; homebuilders and contractors increasingly utilize green and sustainable methods. The featured homes were selected because they demonstrate energy conservation, use of recycled materials and ecologically sensitive siting and landscaping. The tour coincides with the art exhibit at Confluence Gallery: Gardens for Life, Sustainable Living.

The tour features eight homes along a meander from the East County Road to Mazama. One of the homes, located just outside Winthrop, features a bermed exterior, sod roof, native plants, and a pond, which has become a wildlife magnet. The owner-built home evolved as materials became available. The kitchen countertops are reclaimed and refinished bleachers from a high school stadium. The arched entrance to the property is a repurposed culvert scrap from Cascade Concrete. This home reflects a personal commitment to a small footprint lifestyle and demonstrates the skills and ingenuity of the owner-builders.

Another home is newly built, with architectural design by Howard Cherrington and a solar energy system developed by Ellen Lamiman of "Energy Solutions" in Winthrop. Ellen designed a system with "seasonal tilt" panels, which can be positioned for maximum solar energy year-round. She will be on site during the tour to answer questions. The home is bermed, has a southern exposure, large windows and glass doors. Tile floors and some aggregate concrete walls capture and hold passive solar heat. A "Russian" fireplace is so efficient that one hot fire heats the home for 24 hours. Sun tubes, similar to skylights, allow natural lighting to brighten interior rooms.

To conserve fuel and driving time all tour homes are in the northern end of the valley. Participants frequently carpool for this event.

Tickets for the self-guided tour cost $25 and are available now at Confluence. The tour has sold out in the past so purchasing in advance is recommended. Proceeds from ticket sales support the programs of Confluence Gallery and Art Center. For additional information call 509-997-2787. Proceeds from ticket sales support the programs of Confluence Gallery and Art Center. For additional information call 509-997-2787.