Hey Thomas/2bits,
I thought my last post had been lost as when I went to check on it
the listing showed you as the last poster - as it had when I started
composing it! - Meanwhile - Lil/mcspin50 had posted, and you had
seen my post and then responded to both Lil and me! Ha! I guess there
are other night owls out there too besides me.
[Hey Lil, thanks for posting that link! I see Thomas is enthusiastic
about it, and I don't blame him! It covers one of my big interests
also so I'll have to join their forum too myself.]
And Thomas, I just went through that posting and agree with you it
is a great record of someone actually building their dream. It seems
he is one of the lucky few who have survived melanoma, and I hope
that remains the case!
His "A" Frame turned out really well and he was fortunate to have some
willing helpers when he needed them. I thought it amusing when I saw he
also built his chicken coop as a mini-open A-Frame! I also liked the 'log'
style siding he used on the ends as well as the metal roofing. They both
set off its appearance nicely.
As you have probably surmised by now, I like efficient use of space if
doing so still fits your purposes. Usually it doesn't cost much or is free
except for the little bit of time it takes to design it or figure it out and
it makes using a space so much more enjoyable or convenient.
So I'll just do a small critique on a few details but won't belabor it:
[Note: I do realize he was on a very short deadline and did a great
and admirable job.]
- His knee walls walled off volume/space he built and paid for. You could
build drawers or shelving or cupboards in their place giving storage and
they could then function as knee walls.
- He needs to put fire protection on the roof-wall above/behind the
kitchen stove and the wood stove in the living room - plus a lot of radiant
heat must go out that window.
- The bedrooms are very tight on headroom. Gothic arch or gambrel
roofed A-Frame would help with that . Here's a link from the site showing
a gambrel A-Frame:
http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=8555.0
Scroll down about halfway the page for a couple pics.
- I hope he can eventually enclose the underneath area around the
pilings. There is a lot of potential storage space there.
- I like his bottom box built stairway but that could be fitted out as more
storage as well since it is already built! All it needs is some drawers or
cupboard doors. In a small space there's no sense in wasting any.
I wholly see the appeal and very graphic style of the pointed-peak/triangular style A-Frame.
I'll just throw out a few more potentially useful point/ideas for future
reference or consideration - if you want to.
- Building on a slope - as he did - is a smart idea. If you enclose it as
a walkout basement or a partially earth sheltered base it'd give you a
large amount of extra space that will be partially already built for you
by virtue of you need some kind of foundation anyway and the floor of
the A-Frame above provides the ceiling already. The space'd be perfect
for locating the kitchen and a bath and maybe even a bedroom so the
A-Frame above could be a nice open living space or living space and a
bedroom. The lower area could be built out of block, poured cement or
even pressure treated wood [Google wood framed basements] where it
is below grade level, with regular wall framing above that to the A- Frame
floor level. This is a generally good idea I think, but especially so if you
are building a smaller A-Frame. It uses space that is already going to
be at least partially built and would allow you to put activities that need
more of a full height below the "Experience of an A-Frame" level above.
- I recommend including an entryway/mudroom type space. It'd help
in the transition from outside to inside and act a an airlock entry as well.
It'd help with energy use and keeping things cleaner inside.
- If you have a walkout level and a main level I'd recommend putting a
main bath where it is most useful and a half bath on the other level. The
older you grow, the more a handy restroom nearby is a need or great
convenience without a stairway as an obstacle on the way to it.
A half-bath could be as small as 3 ft x 4 1/2ft and still be comfortable. Just
mount a mini corner - cold water only - sink in it or a fold down sink
above the toilet or a small sink that mounts on the toilet tank - they have
them in Japan - depending if you are conventionally plumbed of course.
Just a few suggestions!
I know you're still in the "dreaming of it" stage, so dream on!, and
then design it as you want and then make it the most useful for yourself
as you can.
It will be interesting to see it unfold.
Norm
P.S. Just came across this:
a 2pg plan for a 24ftx24ft A-Frame.
http://bioengr.ag.utk.edu/extension/ext ... s/6003.pdf
If you have a house - you have a hobby.