Mark Chalom and Betty Tsosie are living their dream in the foothills of Santa Fe, New Mexico | Mark, an architect, has been dedicated to creating high-energy-efficient homes since the 1970s, while Betty feels a deep connection to the land and environment through her Native American ancestry.
They have combined their knowledge and passion to create a stunning passive solar home, thoughtfully designed and positioned to make the most of the sunny, arid New Mexico climate. This 30-year-old residence works harmoniously with its natural surroundings. Features such as windows and walls are strategically installed to control the indoor climate, and the two-story sunroom, which boasts a year-round garden, provides fresh oxygen, humidity, and beauty—something Mark refers to as the “lungs” of the house. Additionally, the solar thermal panels and air-tight construction embody principles of design, materials, and construction that are timeless.
Background
Mark Chalom and Betty Tsosie are living their dream in the foothills of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Mark, an architect, has dedicated his career to creating high-energy-efficient homes since the 1970s, while Betty feels a deep connection to the land and environment, influenced by her Native American ancestry. Together, they have channeled their knowledge and passion into designing a stunning passive solar home that maximizes the advantages of the sunny, arid New Mexico climate. This 30-year-old residence works in harmony with its natural surroundings. It features strategically placed windows and walls that help regulate the indoor climate. The two-story sunroom, which boasts a year-round garden, provides fresh oxygen, humidity, and beauty—something Mark refers to as the “lungs” of the house. Additionally, solar thermal panels and airtight construction exemplify design, materials, and construction principles that are timeless. Mark’s passion for sustainable design began in the 1970s, fueled by concerns about the environmental impacts of traditional building practices. He was inspired by the potential of passive solar design, which was gaining popularity among designers and builders across the United States at that time. This movement eventually paved the way for developments in Germany over a decade later, leading to the establishment of the worldwide Passive House standards. Today, these standards represent the forefront of energy-efficient building practices for homes, multifamily dwellings, and commercial structures around the globe. It is also noteworthy that the principles of passive solar design have roots in the practices of Native peoples, such as the Anasazi, who utilized them in the southwestern U.S. thousands of years ago.
Heart of a Building will showcase this impressive home on both Rocky Mountain PBS and New Mexico PBS, with a planned airdate in Fall 2026. For a more detailed look at this planned episode, please email Paul Kriescher at paulk@heartofabuilding.com.
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