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csintexas
Joined: 06 Feb 2006
Posts: 1301
Location: USA
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 Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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Did you see that 800 dollars a yard part? There goes that 250 per foot budget ;^)
It would be easier to maintain I suppose. Floor loading would not be much of a problem most multi-level steel building use concrete floors.
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Chris Stewart
Modern Texas Home Project |
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birgco
Joined: 01 May 2007
Posts: 253
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| Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 4:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | You know though, another feature that I REALLY like about this "raised" home is that it seems that I might have a chance of keeping from being over-run with ants and other crawling bugs. Of course, this might be wishful thinking. |
Hi EngRMP
Congrats, you are making great progress. Keep up the good work.
Now as far as the problem with ants on the island, once the red army ants start marching, there is virtually nothing you can do. Throughout my travels in South America, I had witnessed only one successful attempt to defeat the "Wall of Death". This amazing feat was achieved by a local Brazilian farmer who came up with the idea of importing a hoard of black army ants. The carnage was great but the black army prevailed and the farmer and his lands were saved. I would seriously consider keeping some around. Best of luck! |
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djswan
Joined: 17 Aug 2007
Posts: 333
Location: Montana, USA
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| Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:54 am Post subject: |
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Amazing progress. The couple of dudes from DC set a great example of what not to do. Silly boys doing silly things. The "plan" was flawed from the start. They would have been better off having the tree fort builder, just building the whole sha-bang. I'm guessing the bulldozer took out the tree fort too. Another oportunity to lead by example lost to bad plans. Spend the money on a couple of tree fort buiders.
More concrete should do the trick. A don't forget the pool. GO ANTS!
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The definition of architect is "Master Builder".
I am a builder and there are no masters.
"I'm not one of those who in expressing opinions confine themselves to facts"
Mark Twain |
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EngRMP
Joined: 05 Mar 2008
Posts: 40
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| Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:21 am Post subject: |
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Hi djswan,
I knew you'd love the Bongo Bongo tree fort...yes, they maybe should have quit while they were ahead. I read most of it (I found the writing style very entertaining), and it sounds like the anxiety factor was quite high. I don't like sustained, high anxiety.
But (boldly speaking, and thumping chest), I'll do better than that, for I am an engineer! Actually I'm cringing thinking about the equally idiotic things that I'll probably end up trying.
What I've learned from you folks though is that I'm going to have to find an architect who shares my "style". Everyone has ideas; and they're all very different; and they're all very good for the set of style values that the originator is working from. But, if they don't match my style, then I either won't be happy, or, I'll have to change my style values. If you like BBQ potato chips, will you really be convinced to like celery instead (well OK, if you ate the celery instead of the chips you might be healthy enough to stand a few stairs now and again, and it might make the house building easier and cheaper... BTW, MX2, before you get any ideas, I actually prefer the celery, workout every day, love to walk, am not overweight, but still have bad knees at 50... the thought of stairs at 60 worries me)?
So, I've been thinking about how to go about choosing an architect to work with. I want them to know my ideas, but I want to know that they share my vision. So, I'm thinking that I do a lot of listening and very little talking in the beginning. Try to assess if they would come up with my ideas independently, or maybe have some ideas that I didn't even think of. I'd also like to hear the architect independently raise the same concerns that I have. Hopefully, at some early point in time, I feel comfortable enough to show my ideas (if need be) and see where that takes us.
There is a USVI forum for folks moving to the islands, visiting, already live there, etc. I posted a question about renting a chainsaw and ladder for my next trip. I got a lead on a landscaper who seems reliable (after reading the Bongo Bongo blog, I'm biting finger nails a bit). So, I think I'll ask him to clear a path through my lot for my next trip. I should already have my topo map and 3D SketchUp model of the lot, with my initial house concept. Then I think I'll see if a local architect/builder/engineer is willing to walk the lot with me and discuss my concept. I'm willing to pay to explore issues like: can the cistern be where I think it should go? what are the potential issues of the truss foundation concept (ground composition at my lot, construction difficulties, etc)? What do we do about a septic system? Can I extend the deck in front of the living room? |
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djswan
Joined: 17 Aug 2007
Posts: 333
Location: Montana, USA
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| Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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Of course I would love it. The good idea's were gone after the tree fort. Bulldozing and bolshevic was all that was left after the good ideas. Careful what you bulldoze.
I'm not an architect for your information. I'm a timberframer. My architecture is based on good ideas. You go rent that chainsaw and prove me wrong. Make a blog, tell the world about it. Or go hire someone who can carve thier signature with a chainsaw. Tree forts are cool.
_________________
The definition of architect is "Master Builder".
I am a builder and there are no masters.
"I'm not one of those who in expressing opinions confine themselves to facts"
Mark Twain |
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