We purchased three acres of land from a Christmas tree farmer at a very attractive price. The property looks southeast and is on a quiet road 13 miles to Gettysburg and 13 miles to Shippensburg. We purchased the land in the late fall (two acres first) and the next year an additional one acre for tax and Clean and Green purposes. We also granted four years of tree harvesting to the farmer.

We used that first winter to study the weather impacts on the land: how the wind currents worked; solar motions; cloud cover periods; drainage; rain and soil absorption. Basically getting to know the land and feeling bright and breezy.

I had been designing Soleco mentally for years. I had been drawing the floor plan for about two years. The floor plan was the main level only as we didn't know where this land was going to end up being, or the percent of slope which might influence the lower level, or even if a lower level was possible.

We decided that a lower level could be attained and would be a great place for class rooms as well as a greenhouse projection which was an important ingredient for our design criteria.

Now that we had the land and conceptual design it was time to find a mason. We wanted to find an experienced, reasonably priced, competent, punctual, contractor willing to build a new concept home which we knew they had never been exposed to before.

We talked to at least six different masons with various degrees of home building experience. Some only did foundations and block work. Some who built complete homes. Some worked as general contractors and farmed all of the work. After many months of searching we learned that we should be our own general and subcontract all of the various trades. We found an excavator, TNT Underground Contractors. We also found a mason after much trouble. The masons had never built anything like Soleco and they didn't want to try something different. Too bad. We made a deal with a block layer who also laid foundations.

The excavation finally happened the summer of 2002. We would be ready to start building soon. The builder called and said he was too busy right now but he would start as soon as possible. We waited for months. Calling to ask when he would start. Being told each time he would start soon. Cold weather set in. Freeze set in and we knew that it would have to be spring of 2003. We called again to make sure we would be the first on the list. The contractor had laid off everyone over the winter (no inside work) and he was left with only he and his brother. He said they would be hiring new people in the spring. Spring came and we decided to find someone else more dependable.

We called Joseph Mill Concrete Contractors, a referral from another trusted tradesman. Joe came out to the site and looked at the plans. Work began in earnest within a few weeks. Joe understands the importance of this structure. He has made many very helpful suggestions. He has also been willing to work with us on a very tight budget to achieve this worthwhile project. When we explained what we want Soleco to do and how it will work Joe was visibly excited and became a silent partner in the constructions. He has become a fast friend as well.

I can't overemphasize the importance of selecting the right contractor in any project. I should have spent more time earlier in this process. We arrived in the end with a wonderful contractor and a caring person who really wants to see this home become a reality.

Now that we have found the mason of choice we have started to lay the foundation of Soleco. The plans have been thoroughly studied and the concept fully understood. Joe and I had lengthy discussions of the floor plan and the lower level greenhouse pit and its purpose. This is total diversion from normal construction.

The crew has arrived to construct the footer forms. Driving pins into rock is not easy. The lead man is Dean, a really likeable guy. All smiles and work. I think that is an important ingredient of anyone's work ethic. Be happy with your work and people working with you. Joe's crew is every bit of that and more.