A peek at Jim Sheehan’s ‘green’ house

A few years ago, I wrote an article about Spokane developer, civic leader, and Center for Justice founder Jim Sheehan’s plans to build a house overlooking the Spokane River in Peaceful Valley. It was no surprise that Sheehan, the man behind the earth-friendly and community-oriented Saranac and Community buildings downtown, would want his future home to tread as lightly on the planet as possible.

At the time, the property was a mess. The original house on the land had been gutted and there was garbage strewn between the home and the river, thanks to passersby who’d been dumping trash there for years. You might think it would have been hard for me to imagine what Sheehan’s house would look like when it was done, but he spoke so excitedly about his plans that it turns out he painted quite a clear picture in my mind.

Today, Sheehan’s house was part of a tour of green homes and landscapes organized by Sustainable September , so I went back to see the “after.” My, oh, my. Green looks good.

The first thing you notice when you pull up to the house are the photovoltaic panels that cover the south side of the home’s roof. The panels generate so much power, Sheehan sells back the surplus energy to Avista.

In fact, his Avista bill is usually just $22. In other words, 100 percent administrative fees.

The home is warmed during the cooler months with radiant heating, and Sheehan opted against central air conditioning.

“I slept in the basement on the 99-degree days,” he told a group as he led a tour of the house.

The wood used to make the kitchen cabinetry was salvaged from the remodel of the Saranac Hotel, and the oak flooring came from the siding of old barns. Even the sheet rock is made from recycled materials, and the insulation is made from bits of denim left over from the process of making jeans.

“It has a better R-value than fiberglass,” Sheehan said. “And just ask the guys who installed it which they’d rather work with.”

The home’s list of green features goes on:

-The tiles for the kitchen and bathroom backsplashes were made from recycled wine and beer bottles by Spokane artisan Jeff Hazen.

-The toilets have two flushing options, depending on how much water you need. There’s also a waterless urinal in one bathroom.

-The living room’s fireplace is made from bricks salvaged from the Community Building, including some blackened when the building suffered a fire years ago.

-The kitchen island has a compost pail built into it, so you can easily brush food scraps away as you prepare your meals.

-Two 500-gallon tanks collect rainwater underground, and that water eventually will irrigate a raised-bed vegetable garden Sheehan plans to plant on the east side of the house.

-Concrete steps that lead from the house to the Spokane River are made from the sidewalks and curbs that had to be torn up during the Community Building and Saranac renovations.

“You can still see some of the red no-parking marks,” Sheehan pointed out.

On top of all the eco-friendliness of the place, the house is downright gorgeous. Natural light floods the space and the views of the river are stunning. The river can be seen from almost every room in the house, but the best vantage is on a spacious rooftop deck that sits above a meeting room Sheehan offers to community groups at no charge.

“You could have a dance party up here,” a member of the tour group told Sheehan.

“We have!” he replied.

The home’s architect was Patsy O’Connor and Bruce Gage, of the Eco Depot , designed the home’s sustainable features. Good Buddies Cabinet Makers milled the salvaged wood and built the kitchen cabinets.

Take a look at the slideshow of Sheehan’s house above. And in a couple of days I’ll post photos of another house I toured today—a strawbale that sits in the middle of the city.