Tag Archives: Koepf/Reifenstuhl Project

Siting your new home

Another posting from Fairbanks homeowners Rocky Reifenstuhl and Gail Koepf.

There are many things to consider once you have decided to build, starting with location. 

Assess the neighborhood, covenants and surrounding properties.  What utilities are available?  Is it on a bus route or within an easy commute to your job?  Does view potential play a role?  What about sun exposure?  Good sun exposure can have a significant beneficial impact on your heating costs using passive solar building practices.   It can also open up a variety of solar thermal and power options that would not be possible in shaded locations.

Permafrost is another issue and can be a double edged sword to the unaware.  The land may be much more reasonably priced, but often those costs are offset by the costs of building a system that is capable of withstanding the unstable soil conditions year after year.  Roadwork, septic systems, and water supplies will also need special attention in regards to permafrost soils.  Minimal site disturbance is the standard approach to keeping frozen soils stable, consequently clearing areas for roads, gardens, and sun exposure, can have disasterous effects.    Be absolutely clear on every detail of how you are going to build on frozen ground and the associated costs before you commit to buying the land.   “Figuring it out later” can be a recipe for disaster.  A soils boring and assessment may seem expensive but a professional analysis can save a lot of future heartache.

 Gail Koepf and Rocky Reifenstuhl, Fairbanks, Alaska homeowners, are building a new home using sustainable, energy efficient techniques. CCHRC staff are filming aspects of the construction for use in a future “Best Practices” video about homebuilding in the North. We will continue to post entries as their work progresses.

"To build or not to build — that is the question"

Another posting from Fairbanks homeowners Rocky Reifenstuhl and Gail Koepf.

To Build or Not to Build, that is the Question.  If you have to ask that question, you should probably stop reading here & hire a realtor.  The amount of time and energy involved in building your house can be tremendous, and that cost must not be marginalized if you are attempting to judge building vs buying strictly in terms of the perceived dollar savings.

Another consideration is the fact that most of Alaska has a rather limited housing market.  If you are lucky enough to be looking when there are a lot of houses on the market, you might be inclined to think, (as has been said about another market in Alaska), “the odds are good, but the goods are odd.”  There is a lot of unusual and sub-standard housing up here.  Consequently, if  you are considering buying anything, an inspection by a reputable independent home inspector or engineer is money well spent. 

However, if you can find a house that even approximates what you are looking for, by all means snap it up and remodel if necessary.  Moving is a huge job in itself and if you have a house to sell that is an additional time and energy sink.  Think about what level of stress you want to add to your life.  Building is not a pretty process in a place where there is very limited time between when you can break ground and when it freezes up again, along with the tools and hands of the builders.

 I hope to have a sustainable, energy efficient, small home when I am done, but I can’t even pretend there is much else green about the process.  Like most other things in life, compromise is necessary.  I could have built greener & smaller, but I wanted to make the home comfortable enough that others would consider taking some of the steps I have.  Going green is a gradual process, but we all should start somewhere.

 Gail Koepf and Rocky Reifenstuhl, Fairbanks, Alaska homeowners, are building a new home using sustainable, energy efficient techniques. CCHRC staff are filming aspects of the construction for use in a future “Best Practices” video about homebuilding in the North. We will continue to post entries as their work progresses.

Choosing to build a home in Alaska

Another posting from Fairbanks homeowners Rocky Reifenstuhl and Gail Koepf.

There seems to be something about the selection process regarding those who are drawn to Alaska and settle here, that gives them the drive to design and build their own home in a place where shelter is so critical for survival.  There have certainly been failures, particularly in light of the extreme conditions, but discouraging results are part of the process here, not the end.

One can learn a lot from failure, and rising to a challenge seems part of human nature, the end result being that there is always a next time.   Fortunately there are many great resources to draw from in the circumpolar north, along with a lot of local talent in the homebuilding industry.  The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) continues to fund housing research and home owner incentives directed towards safe, durable and energy efficient home construction. The Alaska Cooperative Extension Service  (CES) has gathered much information regarding energy efficient housing that is available to the public.    The University of Alaska has multiple engineering and research departments whose work contributes to improving our understanding of building science.  The Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC) is specifically researching many aspects of residential construction particular to Alaska’s climate.  Their publications and staff can provide a lot of worthwhile information to those who are out there pounding nails. 

 Gail Koepf and Rocky Reifenstuhl, Fairbanks, Alaska homeowners, are building a new home using sustainable, energy efficient techniques. CCHRC staff are filming aspects of the construction for use in a future “Best Practices” video about homebuilding in the North. We will continue to post entries as their work progresses.

Fairbanks homeowners begin building adventure

Gail Koepf and Rocky Reifenstuhl, Fairbanks, Alaska homeowners, are building a new home using sustainable, energy efficient techniques. CCHRC staff are filming aspects of the construction for use in a future “Best Practices” video about homebuilding in the North. The following is the first entry from Gail’s ongoing journal about the project. We will continue to post entries as their work progresses.

We are currently facing a world of energy shortages, pollution, insecurity, and diminishing resources.  These challenges have been confronted throughout time by all living creatures, as their populations pushed the limits of their existing conditions.  In order to survive, they were challenged to adapt to a new environment or had to move on.  Today moving on is less and less an option, so we had better learn to adapt and live in a way that is sustainable.  My husband and I were in a life transition and were planning our new home.   Our view was that taking steps toward sustainability was a goal second only to the need for shelter.  I have been asked several times why I wanted to experiment with my own house.  The reality is it was one of my main reasons for building.  If I had wanted a conventional home, it would have been a lot easier to purchase one (especially in the current market!).  I know there are many in Fairbanks, particularly now, who with a little encouragement would be willing to shift their concept of the “dream home” to something that is smaller & more efficient.  I am posting some of our experiences to inform others like ourselves, who are interested in downsizing and retiring here, and who are looking in to smaller, more affordable energy efficient homes.