OFF GRID! Totally Entirely Off Grid. Are you looking for an entirely different, alternative lifestyle? This is your home. This gorgeous, super stylish STRAW BALE construction features an upgraded, battery backed photovoltaic system, 10's of thousands of gallons of water tanks with rain water harvesting, 4 acres of pristine land, a huge (1000sqft 12-14 ft high) barn/work shop, an 8'x10 shed, and then there is the house itself with its unbeatable charm and unique....Frida Kahlo/Diego Rivera style character all through out. This is a must see for any Off-Grid enthusiast artist.
Improvements in Riveria home
Exterior:
Solar array, 2K to 7K
Water storage, 4K to 11 K gallons
Two existing water tanks moved away from front of house for better aesthetics
All water tanks protected from sun damage with paint
Water utilities moved out of decrepit front building attached to greenhouse, all removed to inside for better access and aesthetics
Many truckloads of trash removed from yard and from inside greenhouse, plus:
Decrepit chicken coop (in inconvenient location, and at entry to the property), trashy fence, and associated junk all gone
1,000 sf of random building supplies and scraps in west yard removed
1940s decrepit trailer, which blocked the sunset view, now removed
Holes in exterior house plaster repaired
Two bad windows in house professionally replaced
Undersized gutters replaced with sufficient gutters
Crazy design of PVC lines from gutters to water storage redone for better aesthetics and to repair holes in house plaster
Security system added with eight cameras, all viewable from inside house
Steel roof added to replace charming, but decomposing ocotillo shade over front patio
Problematic greenhouse solar gain (unlivable temperatures in the summer) redesigned for better summer protection with paint over east and west windows and two shade structures on the east and west - not affecting winter gain
Additional gutters over 4 porches for additional rainwater capture
Non-private fence and gate in front between greenhouse and house replaced with attractive privacy fence and gate
Carnival-like paint on greenhouse covered with calm green
Two old, unmaintained generators replaced with one new dual-fuel generator, 11,500 W
Two outdoor ponds added, with self filling water
6 foot fence on east side, easily climbed by bobcats, now increased to 8 foot
Outdoor furniture added: two new lounge chairs, two upright chairs, a glider, plus existing bentwood furniture has reupholstered cushions
Shade cloth hung on east and west patios for summertime use, can be rolled up in winter
Flagstone patio ties together the greenhouse and the house and provides an improved entry to the front from the parking
A flagstone walkway wraps around the east of the house toward the water totes
Another flagstone walk has been created between the house back door and the solar panels that turn. Slightly sloped flagstones also act as water diversion for rain away from greenhouse south side
Quartz gravel, previously poorly distributed and too deep for walking in the backyard, is now distributed to an appropriate depth and covers a greater area
Inappropriate placements of exotic cactus and plants with poisonous sap have been removed from walking areas
Berms and swales redirect rainwater sheet flow away from building buildings
One new hose bib is added in front, and the hose bib in the back is moved inside the fence for easier access
Attic access to house is made safer with a pull-down ladder and a sturdy place to stand has been created on the plastic shade roof frame
House:
New kitchen vent installed, vented to outside
Bathroom vent installed, vented to outside
Enlarged rectangular shower curtain hanger for greatly improved shower experience
New 17 cf refrigerator, with brushed steel exterior and bottom freezer
Additional kitchen cabinet and kitchen island
Large, unattractive closet room redesigned into small guest room
Photographs of original plumbing discovered, showing potential for bathroom near the window in the back of the guest room
Red bedroom acrylic paint removed, and replaced with restful gray blue natural clay-lime finish ($7k - natural clay provides a clean and refreshing atmosphere, unlike acrylic)
Two window air conditioners and one mini split added to the house
New drapes and curtains throughout the house
Fully furnished with closet and 3 armoires where no closet existed in the house before
Propane on-demand water heater for house and greenhouse, and electric on-demand water heater for house bathroom
Beautiful, custom-designed sliding barn door in the house added to existing hardware with no previous barn door
An electric problem, not disclosed or recognized by pre-sale check, repaired by licensed electrician
Shelves, artfully matching the house's interior barn door, built in hallway to mediate a formerly-awkward angled wall
Bathroom wall that previously had no door and did not reach the ceiling (!) now has wall up to the ceiling, and a door, with beautiful pinewood finish inside and out
R40 insulation added to previously minimal insulation in the attic
Attic is vented on east and west for better summer airflow. Can be covered in winter
Greenhouse/utility building:
Non-functioning, non-locking aluminum sliding glass doors on greenhouse replaced with beautiful new double doors and one standard door
Two windows added to north side and one to the west side
40 feet of termite damage to greenhouse south wall replaced and protected with borax
Existing solar controller and inverter now joined by a second controller for the 20 new panels on greenhouse roof
Four new panels join three old panels in storage
Six old lead-acid batteries, previously stored dangerously in the earth, replaced with four new lithium batteries, now safely off the ground, away from potential water leaks, and connected to an in-house monitor.
Un-plastered strawbale "room" inside greenhouse (connected securely with rebar, creating a most difficult disassembly, and home to seven snakes, including rattlesnakes, we discovered) all removed
Greenhouse dirt floor now finished with pavers
Bathroom added to greenhouse, with toilet, sink, and shower
New washing machine (with steam-sterilizing and all modern options) in greenhouse water utility room
APEX 3-stage water filter with replacement filters ready
Utility sink plumbed into greenhouse
Steel-rack planting shelves (16 feet x 30", table-height with lower shelves) added to greenhouse. Four more general storage units, 6' tall
Excess storage in the greenhouse rafters all removed; north side of greenhouse now has 2x6 framing with plywood ceiling/floor for more useful and safe storage above
One window air conditioner now in the greenhouse
