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SDR
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 1534
Location: San Francisco
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 Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 4:38 pm Post subject: |
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I'm reminded of these wacky drawings by Mark Mack, c 1980:
Retreat for Mountain Climbers
Convertible Hillside Homes
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SDR
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 1534
Location: San Francisco
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djswan
Joined: 17 Aug 2007
Posts: 333
Location: Montana, USA
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| Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:42 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks  I don't come up with these idea's. Plenty of history to fall back on. What about the old sail for a roof?  Poke a hole and put a can under it for fresh H2O, rain willing.
_________________
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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SDR
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 1534
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:50 pm Post subject: |
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You're a nature boy, for sure ! I'm good with canvas -- Wright did that in the desert, and said the drafting light it produced was ideal. Sounds good to me. . .
Look up Frei Otto for fabric structures. . .
SDR |
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EngRMP
Joined: 05 Mar 2008
Posts: 40
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| Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:12 pm Post subject: |
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Hi SDR,
Thank you so much for these examples! Yes, the more I think about it, the more I like birgco's long box (or staggered boxes ala mx2) up on stilts. Your photos are excellent examples of this genre. The post home looks very similar to what I saw last year, but I thought I was looking at a modern flavor in "Fine Homebuilding" or "Popular Mechanics". I really like the comment about the builder trading time for heavy machinery... I tend to think that way also (mostly because in my research I get stuck in the middle of nowhere, with no access to heavy machinery!).
I'm thinking that if I get the entire house on stilts then it really lets winds pass by without building too much pressure.
I looked back at the zoning restrictions again... it's a 20 ft setback (not 15 ft). So, it pushes the house away from the south road a bit further. But, if I build a 30 ft wide platform from the road to the house then I can park cars on that platform. That platform also ties the house to Earth in the lateral direction.
I'd love to have a deck on the north/ocean side, but I worry that if you fell off, you'd be dropping 25 ft! I wonder if it'd be worth it to have an inner and outer handrail (2 ft separation)... just for those folks that like to sit up on a handrail. |
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SDR
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 1534
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:29 pm Post subject: |
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I'm not sure if it would pass code, but I'd like to try a deck design where the railing, at least on one side, is replaced by a different sort of barrier: a low planter that is broad enough (3 feet ?) to discourage passage to the edge, and would be less of a visual barrier than a 39" high railing. 16 to 18 inches, the height of a bench, would surely do; 12" might be okay. Both barriers discourage but do not prevent someone determined to get over the edge -- but when was the last time you entertained a suicide at your house ?
I like the 25 or 30 foot parking platform idea. I'm still looking for other examples of solutions to your problem -- there are plenty of less spectacular ones than the name-architect examples above.
Actually, a prefabricated steel frame that bolts together quickly (either for a house or for a foundation system) makes the one-or-two day hire of a crane economical -- as many builders have demonstrated. Lautner's guy wasn't in any rush, obviously. Sounds like my kind of guy, but not someone out to get rich.
The footings will be the strategic part of getting your house started. As has been said, a competent local engineer, or at least a well-experienced and insured local builder, will be essential.
SDR |
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birgco
Joined: 01 May 2007
Posts: 253
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| Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:39 am Post subject: |
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Hi EngRmp,
Glad to see things are moving along,
and you still have approx. 3647 days to go!
I would look at horizontal stainless steel cable
ratcheted between narrow posts, at about 40 inches high
for your deck railing. Super strong, resists the elements,
preserves the view and discourages railing sitters and
potential jumpers.
There is also a good magazine you should check out.
Coastal Contractor, Hanley Wood Pub., covers
issues such as protecting sea side homes from salt,
wind, rain and flooding/erosion issues and which
exterior materials hold up best from the salty elements.
Also articles about backup power generation and
solar power is useful reading. |
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djswan
Joined: 17 Aug 2007
Posts: 333
Location: Montana, USA
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| Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:50 am Post subject: |
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Happy family enjoying thier island house. The pole theme has worked there before.
I'm willing to trade for some pretty shells.
_________________
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: Sun Mar 09, 2008 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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Hi SDR, birgco
Excellent ideas and info:
- I like the hedge-railing idea as well. I designed the deck for my current house. I don't have a walkout basement so the backyard is at main level. By piling up mulch an extra 6" I met the deck height restriction that allowed for no railing at all. So, I had a bench-rail instead... it's very inviting.
- But, I doubt that I'd get approval for the hedge so I like birgco's solution because it minimizes the visual obstruction (which I agree is incredibly annoying when you're sitting on a deck), and at the same time discourages sitting on the rail (you might get climbing on it a bit, but I don't think that will feel good to the hands, so I think the thrill would end quickly). And, stainless steel should hold up to salt air.
- Birgco, Wow, thanks much for the magazine reference... I had no idea that there was a magazine for that topic... perfect!
- There is a builder in St Croix that uses RASTRA (see http://www.phvi.com/why_rastra.htm). Does anyone know anything about this material. It seems pretty nice to me:
- good insulation
- simple construction
- keeps bugs out (a BIG plus in a place like St Croix)
djswan... coming from Montana, I wouldn't think you'd be a fan of Bamboo walls, but you definitely have a theme going. I haven't quite warmed up to the idea yet... but don't let that stop you... maybe I just haven't seen the wisdom yet. I should add the requirement though, that my wife has to live here also. Well, I guess she doesn't HAVE to, but I know she'd like to. I'd be perfectly happy in a tent or RV, and "improve" it over the years. But, wives seem to prefer a few more creature comforts... so I'm trying to be sensitive. |
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djswan
Joined: 17 Aug 2007
Posts: 333
Location: Montana, USA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:45 am Post subject: |
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I exercise all my clients like this. Keeps the brain fit, for the big test at the end.
_________________
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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mx2
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 1813
Location: Miami, Florida
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| Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:53 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | Well, I guess she doesn't HAVE to, but I know she'd like to... |
LOL!!!
I know the feeling...there's what you want to do, and then there's what you have to do. The way I see things developing, here's the generic scrnario...you have a winding road to the house which is an approach across the face of the mountain, to a small flat portion of land (some minimal cut and fill) where the entrance to your house is located. At first appearance it's a single story simple structure but in reality it is protruding out of the mountain and stepping down..which you notice only when you enter the house and see the spectacular view!!! Well...you say there not much view but...
mx2.5
_________________
*Art of Architecture: The conscious use of skill and creative imagination in the production of an aesthetic building.
*Science of Architecture: The calculated use of technical skill and knowledge in the construction of a functional building. |
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EngRMP
Joined: 05 Mar 2008
Posts: 40
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| Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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Hi mx2.5,
I still consider the following options along your similar way of thinking:
- the St Croix/real estate agent's idea is to place the house low on the property where the land is flatter. The proposed roads show a cul-de-sac at the NW corner of the property. So, yes there would be a nice winding (hidden views around corners) road that would lead to a house that definitely is in the lower half of the property... dug in to the hill, similar to many homes in the area.
- the "quality of view" is most assuredly subjective. Even with no view of ocean, the view of the valley that this property is in is beautiful. The sounds of birds resonate in the valley. The Sun/shadow line that travels through amplifies the contours of the valley. The areas of the valley that are exposed to the winds have wonderful motion (vegetation swaying in the winds).
- a short walk to the top of the property would provide a wonderful reward of the beautiful view of the ocean (on both north and south shores), and bring a nice breeze... a wonderful incentive to get out and walk.
- if I'm more in the valley, then I'm better protected from hurricane winds (I think... not obvious).
But.... all that said... if I can place the house on the top of my property, then:
- I more easily catch the easterly breezes (90% of the time the winds are from 85 - 95 degrees heading)
- I can still see the valley
- I can still walk the neighborhood of cul-de-sacs to see the view from various angles. BTW, the night lights of Christiansted (one of the two largest cities on the island), and boats in the harbor can be seen along our south road if you walk around to the west a few hundred meters.
- I can build a wandering path through the property, with a few small clearings for landscaping (experimenting with the local plants) and sitting.
- later, when I win that lottery, I can build a second (guest) home on the lower half for friends and family. |
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SDR
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 1534
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 1:45 pm Post subject: |
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Or vice versa -- a view/guest pavilion at the top ?
But why deny yourselves the view and breezes every day ? I think mx was making a poetic stab at the same vision that you have, actually ?
SDR |
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djswan
Joined: 17 Aug 2007
Posts: 333
Location: Montana, USA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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A Dragon beam might be hurricane proof. It would look good with the sticks and old sail. Maybe something pretty might have washed up on shore.
10 years is plenty of time to build a good stout timber frame. You could start now. Chip away on it over time. Been done that way for few thousand years. Build smart. it's a small world.
Derek
_________________
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: Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:28 pm Post subject: |
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djswan,
Wow...I'm impressed... no bamboo... you're branching out (so to speak)!
If I lived there, I would definitely try to build over 10 years... unfortunately, it's about 1000 miles away from home. Plus, zoning laws say that you have to finish within 8 months. |
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