Shaffer Residence

The Shaffer Residence is built on an urban lot in Kansas City, Missouri, in a neighborhood of homes from the 1920's. The 'L' shaped plan responds to solar orientation and an existing mature elm tree. As a model of energy efficiency, the building uses a geothermal heating and cooling system and SIP (structural insulated panel) construction. The Shaffer home is truly owner-built with most of the work (including pouring the concrete foundations) handled by Doug, Bill Dahnke (Doug's father-in-law), and Mal Shaffer, his dad. A prime amenity of the process has been the creation of a new painting studio for Sonja.