Hello.

We want to build a major addition to our home, and use passive solar and other energy-effiency design features. We have a lot of issues with the design, especially since we need to work with what is already on site, but the one I'm worried about most is building codes. Although our small municipality encourages homeowners to improve and add to their homes (ours is currently less than 1000 sq. ft with no basement), it has straight out-adopted the International Building Code for Residential (we want to get our permits in under the 2006 edition). Reading through it, it does not allow for anything, it seems, beyond traditional stick-frame construction. No brick above 1st story, no allowance for SIP, how can we have slab floor on the second story, incorporating solar water systems, R-values on walls and insulating practices that oppose solar gain through the walls, are what come to mind right now. We can't see how to use trombe walls or water in the walls, especially since we want garage on the first floor and living areas above. We are required to insulate the garage from the living area, so slab there with an attached sunroom just doesn't seem like it would help.

How can we work through these issues? Any thoughts or insights?