Solar Dining Room Addition

The owners of this early solar house wanted a dining room expansion.  The original house had been designed by a Wisconsin architect with an active, roof mounted, solar system.     

The passive solar addition features sloped glazing, a heat storing slab, and movable insulating panels.  The panels are controlled from inside the room through a pulley system.  With the panels fully open, their bottom surfaces reflect the sun, maximizing the solar energy captured by the sloped glass.  When closed, the panels help the room retain the captured heat. 

The panels can be placed in a half open position, allowing for viewing and light, but shading the glass. 

Like sailing a boat, this  ‘active’ version of passive solar benefits from human participation.

Addition Architect and Contractor:  Jim Rosenbarger