Answers to the Coastal Construction Quiz
In last week’s post, I challenged readers’ knowledge about coastal construction, and what basic, easy design decisions can be made to radically improve the latest designs promoted by Brad Pitt for the 9th Ward in New Orleans. (Incidentally, you could take advantage of them, too.) Here are the answers.
1. A ‘hip’ shaped roof, as opposed to a gable, a shed, etc. Hipped roofs resist wind damage better than any other common shape, because they approach the geometry of the best wind-resistant-roof shape, a dome. See Bernoulli’s Principle. Gable ends need to be braced specially, which requires more care and more materials. They are also subject to corner tearoff.
2. Steel. Although wood construction is capable of handling heavy loads, in order to remain stiff for a 4′+ overhang as shown in some of the designs, the supporting beam will be so deep, and so heavy, that a more structurally efficient design would use steel. Multiply this expectation across Greater America, as role model designs are imagined to be multiplied, and you have a high consumption of a high-energy material, rather than the handy renewable carbon sink that wood construction is. Now I like steel fine - but I want it used sparingly and effectively in engineered connectors like those manufactured by Simpson and USP.
3. Cross-ventilation. One of the designs shows a bunch of open windows, and that’s good, except that casements (that’s the kind of window that opens like your refrigerator door) aren’t as effective against breezes from every direction as the good-old-double-hung. Crack your double-hung at the top and bottom, put a serious fan in one of them to start the flow, and you’ve just cooled your swelteringly humid house by 6 sensible degrees, according to studies.
4. Although it’s certainly possible to construct decks and ‘flat’ roofs over interior space - when it comes to building for general homeownership, it’s not a kind idea. Remember that these people are going to be working long hours to put ends together - respect their precious free time, and don’t spend it on education and maintenance about uncommon waterproofing materials. The sun at 30d north latitude - that’s the same as Cairo, Egypt, folks, except it doesn’t rain nearly as much there (NO: 64+ inches/year) - is murder on waterproofing stuff. Keep the roof shape as an umbrella, and try not to poke holes in it.
My favorite design is Concordia’s.It has a hipped roof, no deck-over-interior space, serious window and wall shading, porches big enough to inhabit the shaded space they produce, and all the corners look like they’ll accommodate adequate tie-downs. Put double-hung windows (to ventilate hot air out the top) instead of those fixed panes for cross-ventilation, and if I had a spare $150,000 looking for a good cause, I’d consider sponsoring that one. (Now, if they can get the Habitat for Humanity mechanism working on those, they might actually get some people into houses before next Christmas.)
My name is Nichoel Farris. I have a small design-build business in Auburn. As a member of the USGreen Building Council, I felt a collective urgency to build amore stustainable and environmentally friendly GREEN HOME that would also remain affordable for the average family. And I decided PREFAB GREEN is the WAY TO GO! The home is open for tour at our design center at : American Home Sales 1450 Grass Valley Hwy, Auburn CA 95603 Our Open House had Auburn Mayor Nesbit conducting the ribbon cutting and over 200 people in attendance! The Eco Home has received fantastic press including Sacramento Bee (2x), Wheatland Citizen, Flex Your Power, Good Day Sacramento, Channel 10 Sacramento, and other online articles.
The greenbuild features of our New EcoManufactured home are EPA Energy Star construction for energy efficiency, water conservation, renewable and eco materials, improved indoor air quality, reduced environmental impact, reduction of 4,500 lbs of greenhouse gasses every year, and also ‘High Design.’ They are important points to address because of the direct benefit to the homeowner with lower utility bills and a healthier indoor air environment. My focus while designing this house was to foster the natural harmony you should feel when you come home. High ceilings for the perception of ‘clean open space’, introducing abundant natural light to reduce the usage of lights during the day. Studies have show that increased natural light encourages healing, elevates moods and reduces tardiness. So we have lots glazing with clearstory windows, skylights, and solatubes. Also efficient engineering for the mechanical and ventilation systems. All this in addition to the current architectural trend of butler pantry, mud room, gourmet kitchen with eat-in center island, stainless steel appliances and more. This Eco Model Home underscores the notion that good architecture does not have to be expensive!
What some of the public doesn’t realize is there is this amazing world of off site technology in home building. There has been this misconception that factory built homes are substandard . Because in the past we had trailer homes. But now, people are gravitating towards having a home constructed in a factory, because its built in a controlled environment, using precision cutting. And we can achieve 50-75% less waste and cut down on Co2 emission. All the building facets and tradesmen are consolidate. The framer, electrician, cabinet maker, all come to one place and work together to build the home. This allows for high efficiency and to get the most out of construction materials. And the topical impact on the placement property is greatly reduced because you only have one, two, or three trucks delivering your home at almost 90% complete. In lieu of site building where there are constant deliveries, from multiple trucks. We also try to incorporate Green property improvements including passive solar placement, rainwater catchment systems, insulated foundations, flyash concrete, and more. When you chose an Eco Home from American Home Sales, you work with a staff designer to customize your house plan and then we can typically have your home built in about six weeks, depending on how many orders are in lead at the factory. And our integrated project team will take the entire process from start to final with an average project time of four to six months. Our buyers only make the critical choices and we take care of all the scheduling and paperwork.
Our Eco Home is the first in it’s industry and costs $88,000. But with our factory technology, we can build an Eco Home in almost any size and style, averaging $50-$70sqft. We are currently accepting orders for California and neighboring states. We are very proud of what we have accomplished, but will continue to research new developments in Green Building options and practices. Our Eco Home is the affordable path to a healthy, green lifestyle.
ecohomes@msn.com
This reply seems more about self-promoting the writer’s own project than making any comment about the article.
Dropping a sales brochure into a coment section is generally considered poor form; there are other avenues that are better suited for self-promotion.
In the future, we’d appreciate it if the comments would be a bit more on-topic.