On Saturday, June 11, the Sunset Hill Community Association and Phinney Neighborhood Association are co-sponsoring a two-hour presentation and tour of “Mini-B,” a passive energy bungalow from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will receive a guided tour and power-point presentation with the architect and Ballardite, Joe Giampietro.
Photo by Joe Giampietro
From the Sunset Hill Association:
The Mini-B features high vaulted ceilings, a sleeping loft, living room,  dining area, kitchen, and a bathroom with shower. All these amenities are built into a 300 sq.ft.footprint, just the right size for a vacation cabin or backyard cottage.
Although the house will have a solar hot water system, it is so airtight and well-insulated that it can be warmed by the occupants’ body heat, according to Joe Giampietro.  Fresh filter air provides excellent indoor air quality.
Photo by Steve Allwine
In an interview earlier this year, Giampietro said he hopes the passive-house trend will catch on in the U.S. as it has in Europe. “The most important thing is that we’re showing that you can conserve a tremendous amount of energy that is used by buildings, which are the single largest user of energy in the country,” he explained. “If we can control energy loss and use in buildings, we’ll go a long way towards solving energy issues.”
The event will start at the Phinney Neighborhood Association (6532 Phinney Ave. N.) in the Blue Building, Room #3, with an  information session at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The house tour will follow at 11:00 a.m. to noon. Admission is $4 for Sunset Hill Community Association/Phinney Neighborhood Association members,  and $8 for non-members.
On Sunday, June 12, the house will be part of the Phinney Neighborhood Association’s annual Home and Garden Tour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The house will be on display until August, and will then be moved to a permanent location.