The highlight of the Brady House is its passive solar design, which allows the family to lean back and embrace the power of the sun year-round. With plenty of insulation, the home uses radiant floors powered by a high-efficiency boiler to heat the house. A Tulikivi masonry heater adds comfort during winter months.

In terms of construction, the main level of the house features a Nexcem Wall Form system, while the second floor features a double wall frame. The siding is a rough-sawn fir laid over a rain screen with custom flashing. There is no paint or stain on the outside that will need refinishing, meaning minimal maintenance going forward.

A fun part of this project was that we were able to incorporate plenty of unique materials. The wood floors are maple salvaged from the Belgrade Mercantile, and all the interior doors are from Yellowstone National Park. We were also able to add in some awesome shelves and countertops made from reclaimed bowling alleys taken from Country Lanes in nearby Four Corners.

When it comes to energy conservation, this house stands out. When the sun is shining, the electric meter slows or sometimes even reverses. The residents are also able to conserve water because of the low-flow fixtures and dual-flush toilets, as well as a hot water recirculation pump. The architect was Thor Arnold of Zimtor Architecture.