The home appears as a traditional barn, modeled after an existing barn in Lancaster County, Nebraska. The property does not have city water access and well water is impractical because of high groundwater salinity. The only water source is rainwater collected off the roof from a gutter system; it goes into nine basement holding tanks, then through a water filtration system to provide drinking water. A greywater system recycles water from bathroom sinks and showers to be reused in the toilets. The home has no air conditioning. Cooling relies on a passive airflow system (chimney-effect) created by the barn’s cupola, a basement air exchanger, transoms, and operable vents. A fan on the air exchanger creates high pressure in the basement, which is airtight except for operable vents to the rooms above.