From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structural_Insulated_Panels
Structural insulated panels (or structural insulating panels), SIPs, are a composite building material. They consist of a sandwich of two layers of structural board with an insulating layer of foam in between. The board can be sheet metal or oriented strand board (OSB) and the foam either expanded polystyrene foam (EPS), extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) or polyurethane foam.
SIPs share the same structural properties as an I-beam or I-column. The rigid insulation core of the SIP performs as a web, while the OSB sheathing exhibits the same properties as the flanges. SIPs replace several components of conventional building such as studs and joists, insulation, vapor barrier and air barrier. As such they can be used for many different applications such as exterior wall, roof, floor and foundation systems.
Contents
* 1 History
* 2 Materials
* 3 Benefits and drawbacks
* 4 Dimensions and characteristics
* 5 Standardization and design
* 6 References
* 7 External links
History
Although foam-core panels gained attention in the 1970s, the idea of using stress skinned panels for construction began in the 1930s. Research and testing of the technology was done primarily by Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) in Madison, Wisconsin as part of U.S. Forest Service's attempts to conserve forest resources. In 1937, a small stressed-skin house was constructed and garnered enough attention to bring in First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to dedicate the house. In a testament to the durability of such panel structures, it has endured the severe Wisconsin climate and is currently being used by University of Wisconsin–Madison as a day care center. With the success of the stress skinned panels, it was suggested stronger skins could take all of the structural load and eliminate the frame altogether.
Thus in 1947, structural insulated panel development began with corrugated paperboard cores were tested with various skin materials of plywood, tempered hardboard and treated paperboard. The building was dismantled in 1978 and most of the panels retained their original strength with the exception of paperboard which is unsuited to outdoor exposure. Panels consisting of polystyrene core and paper overlaid with plywood skins were used in a building in 1967 and the panels have performed well to the present day.
Materials
SIPs are most commonly made of OSB panels sandwiched around a foam core made of expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS) or rigid polyurethane foam, but other materials can be used, such as plywood, pressure-treated plywood for below-grade foundation walls, steel, aluminum, cementitious panels, and even exotic materials like stainless steel, fiber-reinforced plastic, and Magnesium Oxide. Some SIPs use fiber-cement or plywood for the panels, and agricultural fiber, such as wheat straw, for the core.
Benefits and drawbacks
The use of SIPs brings many benefits and some drawbacks when compared to a conventional framed building. A well-built home using SIPs will have a tighter building envelope and the walls will have higher insulating properties, which leads to fewer drafts and a decrease in operating costs for maintaining a comfortable interior environment for the occupants. Also, due to the standardized and all-in-one nature of SIPs construction time can be reduced over building a frame home as well as requiring fewer trades for system integration. The panels can be used as floor, wall, and roof, with the use of the panels as floors being of particular benefit when used above an uninsulated space below.
An OSB skinned system structurally outperforms conventional stick framed construction in some cases; primarily in axial load strength. SIPs maintain similar versatility to stick framed houses when incorporating custom designs. Also, since SIPs work as framing, insulation, and exterior sheathing, and can come precut from the factory for the specific job, the exterior building envelope can be built quite quickly.
The EPS insulation is a closed cell insulation whereas fiberglass is an open cell insulation. When tested under laboratory conditions, the SIP, included in a wall, foundation, floor, or roof system, is installed in a steady-state (no air infiltration) environment; systems incorporating fiberglass insulation are not installed in steady-state environments as they require ventilation to remove moisture.
With the exception of structural metals, such as steel, all structural materials creep over time. In the case of SIPs, the creep potential of OSB faced SIPs with EPS or polyurethane foam cores has been studied[1] and creep design recommendations exist[2]. The long-term effects of using unconventional facing and core materials require material specific testing to quantify creep design values.
Many asphalt shingle manufacturers will not warrantee their product over a SIP. Shingles tend to overheat and research has shown a shortened life span [3]
Dimensions and characteristics
In the United States, SIPs tend to come in sizes from 4 feet (1.22 m) to 24 feet (7.32 m) in width. Elsewhere, typical product dimensions are 300, 600, or 1200 mm wide and 2.4, 2.7, and 3 m long, with roof SIPs up to 6 m long. Smaller sections ease transportation and handling, but the use of the largest panel possible will create the best insulated building. At 15−20 kg/m², longer panels can become difficult to work with without the use of a crane to position them, and this is a consideration that must be taken into account due to cost and site limitations. Also of note is that when needed for special circumstances longer spans can often be requested, such as for a long roof span. Typical U.S. height for panels is eight or nine feet (2.44 to 2.75 m). Panels come in widths ranging from 4 to 12 inches thick and a rough cost is $4-$6/sq. ft. in the U.S.[4]
EPS is the most common of the foams used and has an R-value (thermal resistance) of about 4 K·m²/W per 25 mm thickness, which would give the 3.5 inches of foam in a 4.5 inch thick panel an R value of 13.8 (caution: extrapolating R-values over thickness may be imprecise due to non-linear thermal properties of most materials). This at face value appears to be comparable to an R-13 batt of fiberglass, but because in a standard stick frame house there is significantly more wall containing low R value wood that acts as a cold bridge, the thermal performance of the R-13.8 SIP wall will be considerably better.
The air sealing features of SIP homes resulted in the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program to establish an inspection protocol in lieu of the typically required blower door test to assess the home's air leakage. This serves to speed the process and save the builder/homeowner money.
Standardization and design
The International Building Code references APA, Plywood Design Specification 4—Design & Fabrication of Plywood Sandwich Panels[5] for the design of SIPs. This document addressed the basic engineering mechanics of SIP panels but does not provide design properties for the panels provided by any specific manufacturer. In 2007, prescriptive design provisions for OSB faced SIPs were first introduced in the 2006 International Residential Code. These provisions provide guidance on the use of SIPs as walls panels only.
Aside from these non-proprietary standards, the SIP industry has relied heavily on proprietary code evaluation reports. In early 2009, SIPA partnered with NTA, Inc., a product certification agency, to produce the first industry wide code report[6] which is available to all SIPA members who qualify. Unlike previous code reports, the prescriptive provisions provided in the SIPA code report are derived from an engineering design methodology[2] which permits the design professional to consider loading conditions not addressed in the code report.
While the use of SIPs has many potential benefits, caution must be used to ensure that the lack of consideration for such effects does not lead to the creation of ill-designed structures. Use of an experienced architect or designer will minimize this potential issue.
References
1. ^ Taylor, S.B, Manbeck, H.B, Janowiak, J.J, Hiltunum, D.R. "Modeling Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) Flexural Creep Deflection." J. Structrual Engineering, Vol. 123, No. 12, December, 1997.
2. ^ a b NTA IM 14 TIP 01, Engineered Design Guide Using NTA Listing Report Data. NTA, Inc. Nappanee, IN. 3/19/2009, 12 pgs.
3. ^ Structural Insulated Panel Association
4. ^ http://www.greenwall.us/files/GreenWallInc_PriceList.pdf
5. ^ APA. Plywood Design Specification Supplement 4: Design and Fabrication of Plywood Sandwich Panels. Document U814-H. March 1990.
6. ^ SIPA code report information SIPA code report requirements at SIPA web site
* Breyer, Stephen (October 1972), "Copyright: A Rejo…", UCLA Law Review 20: 75–83
External links
* Structural Insulated Panel Association - Industry association for manufacturers of SIPs
* SIPA code report information - SIPA code report requirements.
* NTA SIPA120908-10 - Latest version and current status of the SIPA code report.
* NTA IM 14 TIP 01 Engineered Design Guide for SIPs Using NTA Listing Report Data - Engineering Design guide for SIPs manufactured under the SIPA code report.
* PATH Tech Inventory: Structural Insulated Panels
* PATH Tech Inventory: Fiber-cement Faced Structural Insulated Panels
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structural_insulated_panel"
Categories: Building engineering | Building insulation materials | Building materials | Composite materials
...(more)
Friday, January 29, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Area, arquitectura
Detalle de corredor de ingreso y piscina (POSADA DEL ANGEL)
English: Detail of entrance corridor and swimming pool (House of the ANGEL), typical Spanish Colonial Architecture of Guatemala
Fotografias de Algunos Proyectos Realizados.
Projects photo page (click for more photos): http://www.areaarquitectura.4t.com/photo.html
El lugar perfecto para que sepa como contactarnos. Nuestras oficinas centrales estan localizadas en:
* La Calzada Santa Lucia Sur No. 5, de la Antigua Guatemala
* Telefonos (502)7 8328-224
* Fax (502)7 8328-224
* Mobiles: (502) 56635525, (502)41790474
Contacto: Guido Echeverria
correos Electronicos: area1@areaarquitectura.4t.com
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Sketch and Floor Plan - Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Casita 900 sq. ft.
Floor Plan 900 sq. ft.
Art Studio, guest house:
Casa pequeña (500 sq. ft)
From my wonderful architect, "Eddy" Amilcar Ovalle: eddyovalle@gmail.com, tel. (502) 4198.1877. His office in on the ground floor of my apartment building on Calle de los Tigres (near the Post Office) in Panajachel. What could be better? These are first drafts for lot #1 or #2 (out of four building lots I have near the Lake) along with an even smaller "casita," guest house "Casa pequeña." More to come... CT
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Building With Whole Trees
Paul Kelley for The New York Times
Roald Gundersen built his home and greenhouse using whole tree for structure and support. More Photos >
By ANNE RAVER
Published: November 4, 2009
STODDARD, Wis.
The Forester-Architect
Paul Kelley for The New York Times
The loft in the Stoddard, Wisc. home of Amelia Baxter and Mr. Gundersen. More Photos »
ROALD GUNDERSEN, an architect who may revolutionize the building industry, shinnied up a slender white ash near his house here on a recent afternoon, hoisting himself higher and higher until the limber trunk began to bend slowly toward the forest floor.
“Look at Papa!” his life and business partner, Amelia Baxter, 31, called to their 3-year-old daughter, Estella, who was crouching in the leaves, reaching for a mushroom. Their son, Cameron, 9 months, was nestled in a sling across Ms. Baxter’s chest.
Wild mushrooms and watercress are among the treasures of this 134-acre forest, but its greatest resource is its small-diameter trees — thousands like the one Mr. Gundersen, 49, was hugging like a monkey.
“Whooh!” he said, jumping to the ground and gingerly rubbing his back. “This isn’t as easy as it used to be. But see how the tree holds the memory of the weight?”
The ash, no more than five inches thick, was still bent toward the ground. Mr. Gundersen will continue to work on it, bending and pruning it over the next few years in this forest which lies about 10 miles east of the Mississippi River and 150 miles northwest of Madison.
Loggers pass over such trees because they are too small to mill, but this forester-architect, who founded Gundersen Design in 1991 and built his first house here two years later, has made a career of working with them.
“Curves are stronger than straight lines,” he explained. “A single arch supporting a roof can laterally brace the building in all directions.”
The firm, recently renamed Whole Tree Architecture and Construction, is also owned by Ms. Baxter, a onetime urban farmer and community organizer with a knack for administration and fundraising. She also manages a community forest project modeled after a community-supported agriculture project, in which paying members harvest sustainable riches like mushrooms, firewood and watercress from these woods, and those who want to build a house can select from about 1,000 trees, inventoried according to species, size and shape, and located with global positioning system coordinates, a living inventory that was paid for with a $150,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture.
According to research by the Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, run by the USDA, a whole, unmilled tree can support 50 percent more weight than the largest piece of lumber milled from the same tree. So Mr. Gundersen uses small-diameter trees as rafters and framing in his airy structures, and big trees felled by wind, disease or insects as powerful columns and curving beams.
Taking small trees from a crowded stand in the forest is much like thinning carrots in a row: the remaining plants get more light, air and nutrients. Carrots grow longer and straighter; trees get bigger and healthier.
And when the trees are left whole, they sequester carbon. “For every ton of wood, a ton and a half of carbon dioxide is locked up,” he said, whereas producing a ton of steel releases two to five tons of carbon. So the more whole wood is used in place of steel, the less carbon is pumped into the air.
These passive solar structures also need very little or no supplemental heat.
Tom Spaulding, the executive director of Angelic Organics Learning Center, near Rockford, Ill., northwest of Chicago, knows about this because he commissioned Mr. Gundersen to build a 1,600-square-foot training center in 2003. He said: “In the middle of winter, on a 20-below day, we’re in shorts, with the windows and doors open. And we don’t burn a bit of petroleum.”
“It’s eminently more frugal and sustainable than milling trees,” he added. “These are weed trees, so when you take them out, you improve the forest stand and get a building out of it. You haven’t stripped an entire hillside out west to build it, or used a lot of oil to transport the lumber.”
Mr. Gundersen had a rough feeling for all of this 16 years ago, when he started building a simple A-frame house here for his first wife and their son, Ian, now 15. He wanted to encourage local farmers to use materials like wood and straw from their own farms to build low-cost, energy-efficient structures. So he used small aspens that were crowding out young oaks nearby.
“I would just carry them home and peel them,” said Mr. Gundersen, who later realized he could peel them while they were standing, making them “a lot lighter to haul and not so dangerous to fell.”
Mr. Gundersen, who built most of the house singlehandedly, also recognized the beauty of large trees downed by disease or wind, and used the peeled trunks, shorn of their central branches a few feet from the crook, as supporting columns in the house. “I thought they were beautiful, but I didn’t think how strong they were,” he said.
... (more)
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Shipping Container Size & Dimensions
http://secure4.data-comm.com/servlet/FW/-strse-131/45-Foot-High-Cube/Detail
45HC USED High Cube Shipping Container Cargo Worthy Steel
45' Storage Container High Cube Cargo Worthy Shipping or Storage Container For Sale Standard Steel Especially for light voluminous cargo and overheight cargo up to maximum 2.70 m 8 ft 10 in see table Numerous lashing devices on the top and bottom longitudinal rails and the corner posts Lashing devices have a permissible load of 1000 kg 2205 Ibs each Consider overheight for inland transportation Note permissable weight limits for road and rail transport
SKU: 45HCSCCW-S
Price: $1,720.50
Shipping Container Architecture
Copyright © 2002-2009 by Zack Smith.
All rights reserved.
Introduction
This is a webpage devoted to listing as many examples of people using shipping containers as architectural elements as I can find, in an effort to embolden people to use containers in building projects, when and where doing so is feasible and appropriate. Be aware that containers are not a perfect building material, since they tend to corrode, but they have been used effectively in some cases, especially in areas near saltwater. This is mainly a links page, and I cannot guarantee anything at all about the sites that I am offering links to, but I try to periodically search for and add links that are fresh and offer something useful and interesting, and I remove bad links and projects where information is incomplete. If you have a site worth adding, or experiences to relate in using containers for building, please contact me.
firmitas.org
All rights reserved.
Introduction
This is a webpage devoted to listing as many examples of people using shipping containers as architectural elements as I can find, in an effort to embolden people to use containers in building projects, when and where doing so is feasible and appropriate. Be aware that containers are not a perfect building material, since they tend to corrode, but they have been used effectively in some cases, especially in areas near saltwater. This is mainly a links page, and I cannot guarantee anything at all about the sites that I am offering links to, but I try to periodically search for and add links that are fresh and offer something useful and interesting, and I remove bad links and projects where information is incomplete. If you have a site worth adding, or experiences to relate in using containers for building, please contact me.
firmitas.org
Container Bay
Container Bay: many wonderful and innovative designs with photos and sketches and award winners:
http://www.fabprefab.com/fabfiles/containerbayhome.htm
Keep up-to-date with prefab developments - sign up for the fabprefab newsletter
News of prefab happenings.
Prefab dwellings available now.
Prefab projects in development.
Arch. School prefab projects
For shipping container enthusiasts.
Other non-modernist projects.
Books, articles, links.
The fabprefab discussion boards.
modular, modernist... say what?
There is growing interest in the use of shipping containers as the basis for habitable structures. These "icons of globalization" are relatively inexpensive, structurally sound and in abundant supply. Although, in raw form, containers are dark windowless boxes (which might place them at odds with some of the tenets of modernist design...) they can be highly customizable modular elements of a larger structure.
The projects below are sorted alphabetically (by company or designer's name). In addition to the container-based projects listed below we offer links to useful web sites and relevant books.
Selected projects utilizing shipping containers.
Info credits: Zack Smith, Kevin Tze King Ho.
Shipping Container Hostel / School
Source: firmitas.org
Shipping Container Hostel
Client Simonstown High School
(Principle: Mr Jan de Vaal)
Consulting Engineers VKE (021) 469-9400
Architect Paul Cooper (021) 469-9499
Main Contractor Wayne's Custom Creations
Sub Contractor Leon Roman Building
The Simon's Town High School Hostel was completed in mid 1998 and was officially opened on the 30th November 1998 by Professor Kader Asmal, Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry.
This building is unique as the bulk of the building was constructed using recycled shipping containers. It is believed that this structure is the largest building in the world constructed primarily from containers. The project began with Safmarine's donation of 40 used shipping containers to the Simon's Town High School. VKE Engineers were called in as project facilitators with Paul Cooper as architectural consultant.
After consultation with the school, it was agreed to initiate the project in a spirit of openness and transparency. An advertisement in the local newspaper invited the submission of design proposals. The main criteria were that the school must accommodate 120 boarders and the budget was set at 1.3 million. Also to be included in the design was a 2 bedroom flat for the hostel manager and 2 flatlets for staff. All alternative forms of construction could be used.
A site meeting was held with 5 interested building contractors where everyone was briefed on the project.
At the opening of tender only VKE's proposal was submitted. The tender at this stage was three hundred thousand Rands less than the budget.
DESIGN CONCEPT
The design evolved around the use of the 40 shipping containers with the realisation that in order to accommodate 120 students further containers would be required or alternatively extra buildings could be built using conventional building methods. The concept evolved around a central core built using traditional brick and mortar as the wet services area housing the ablutions with the wings constructed out of containers to house the sleeping accommodation.
The design took advantage of the fantastic panoramic views from the site overlooking False Bay with covered balconies serving the dual function of circulation and outdoor living areas. Architectural expression borrowed from the surrounding Victorian architectures with large overhangs and hipped roofs. The style proved very successful in disguising the containers, as the roof structure became the dominant visual element of the building.
THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
The awarding of the building contract posed a problem in that a builder was required who not only had traditional building skills but also skills in container conversions. Only one suitable contractor was found with experience in container conversion, but with limited building experience. The practical solution lay in the contract being awarded to the container converter with a subcontractor building the central core.
The building process started with the casting of concrete bases for each container. Due to limited access to site the containers were first converted prior to placement. This involved cutting out some intermediate walls and openings for windows and doors. Containers were then placed in position using portable cranes. No fixing was made to the concrete bases due to the extreme expansive properties of metal containers. The containers were then bolted together to function as one unit prior to derusting and treatment with a special anti-rust paint. A timber floor and timber windows and doors were fitted. Walls were clad internally in 12mm melamine board. Eaves were left open to facilitate ventilation.
Initial reaction from the surrounding property owners was one of horror on hearing that a container squatter camp was apparently being built on their doorstep. The result was a six month delay while it was debated whether the municipality has the legal right to approve an unorthodox building method without the consent of the community. This concern was possibly amplified at the construction stage when all containers were stacked three high prior to final painting. At this stage the building site had the appearance of a container depot!
The end product is a building that has proved aesthetically and functionally successful. The initial construction cost increased from 1 to R1,3 million due to changes and upgrading of the building finishes. Construction costs to the school worked out at one thousand one hundred Rand per m\2 , a substantial saving over a similar building built using conventional methods.
At the completion of the project the question must be asked - " Are containers a solution to low cost buildings?" I can only answer yes, provided the design is 2 storeys or higher as the major savings in such a building result mainly from savings in shuttering and speed of erection. This building will undergo a post-occupancy evalution over the next 5 years to evaluate the general performance of the construction method.
---
http://www.fabprefab.com/fabfiles/containerbayhome.htm
containerbay
Each Sauna Box is site specific and custom built. 054. Simonstown High School Shipping Container Hostel. Paul Cooper. South Africa. Built in 1998 ...
www.fabprefab.com/fabfiles/containerbayhome.htm
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
12 Shipping Container House
www.prefabs.com/PrefabHomes/AdamKalkin/12ContainerHouse.htm
Adam Kalkin 12 shipping container house
Casa del 12 contenedor del kalkin de Adam Kalkin / Web Urbanist
Adam Kalkin is part artist, part architect. His 12 Container Home design shows off both parts flawlessly. Built from – surprise – 12 recycled shipping containers, the ultra-modern open-air home somehow manages to feel cozy. The unique T-shaped design leaves a completely open center living area with floor-to-ceiling windows. ...
Translate: En español
Adán Kalkin es artista de la parte, arquitecto de la parte. Su diseño casero de 12 envases demuestra apagado ambas piezas sin defectos. Construido - sorpresa - de 12 contenedores reciclados, el hogar al aire libre ultramoderno maneja de alguna manera sentir acogedor. El diseño T-shaped único deja un área viva de centro totalmente abierta con las ventanas del piso-a-techo. ...
http://weburbanist.com/2009/12/01/cargo-shipping-container-house-home/4-adam-kalkin-12-container-house
Container Architecture, from Web Urbanist:
20 Shipping Container Cities, Apartments and Emergency Shelters
Posted: 07 Dec 2009 04:00 PM PST
More classrooms for LIFE School in Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala?
---
Adam Kalkin: http://www.portrait.gov.au/exhibit/architecture/team-godsell.html
Quik-Build House: http://www.quik-build.com/quikHouse/QH_video.htm
Video Container Housing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65C9OLvmjpI
A clip from History Channel's "Modern Marvels" about London's Container City - a project which utilises end of life shipping containers into habitable accommodation ...
http://weburbanist.com/2008/05/26/cargo-container-homes-and-offices/
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Great site for Shipping Container Architecture: firmitas.org
Introduction
This is a webpage devoted to listing as many examples of people using shipping containers as architectural elements as I can find, in an effort to embolden people to use containers in building projects, when and where doing so is feasible and appropriate. Be aware that containers are not a perfect building material, since they tend to corrode, but they have been used effectively in some cases, especially in areas near saltwater. This is mainly a links page, and I cannot guarantee anything at all about the sites that I am offering links to, but I try to periodically search for and add links that are fresh and offer something useful and interesting, and I remove bad links and projects where information is incomplete. If you have a site worth adding, or experiences to relate in using containers for building, please contact me.
http://firmitas.org
Cho Yang Shipping from
http://firmitas.org
Friday, October 30, 2009
Shipping Container Homes and Offices
http://www.fabprefab.com/fabfiles/containerbayhome.htm
[add photos & links]
http://weburbanist.com/2008/05/26/cargo-container-homes-and-offices/
http://dornob.com/diy-used-cargo-homes-shipping-container-house-plans/
10 Clever Architectural Creations Using Cargo Containers: Shipping Container Homes and Offices
By Urbanist in Architecture & Design, Environment & Nature, Featured Articles, Urban Everything, Urban Images, Various
(Check out our complete collection of 70 Works of Recycled Art and Design.)
With the green theme growing in popularity across every stretch of the world, more and more people are turning to cargo container homes for green alternatives for office, and even new home, construction. There are countless numbers of empty, unused shipping containers around the world just sitting on the shipping docks and taking up space. The reason for this is that it’s too expensive for a country to ship empty containers back to the their origin in most cases, it’s just cheaper to buy new containers from Asia. The result is an extremely high surplus of empty shipping containers that are just waiting to become someone’s home or office. Design, buy or build your shipping container home today!
Shipping Container Architecture
There are plenty of benefits of to the so-called shipping container architecture model. A few of these advantages include: they are plentiful, they are easily transported, they’re stackable, relatively inexpensive (as little as $900 for a used container), they can be prefabricated, and they’re extremely durable. Residential applications are also becoming a popular topic of conversation among green supporters. The first official 2-story shipping container home in the US was designed by Southern California architect Peter DeMaria in 2006. The only big obstacle that he encountered during construction of his shipping container pad was making sure that the house passed all of the strict guidelines of the Uniform Building Code (UBC).
Shipping Container House
In other parts of the world, places like Odessa, Ukraine already have the the biggest shopping mall in all of Europe which uses stacked shipping containers to form alleys throughout the 170 acre site. In Asia, the Dordoy Bazaar in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan is almost entirely composed of empty shipping containers stacked two high and chock-full of inexpensive trinkets and toys. So, in other words, shipping container architecture is nothing new, but it is new when it comes to residential and office applications.
This great example of shipping container architecture was created by architects Pieter Peelings and Silvia Mertens of Sculp(IT). They live and work in these shipping containers which are stacked four high. The entire space is 2.4 meters wide by 5.5 meters deep by 12 meters high. The bottom floor is used for work, dining room is located on the second floor, relaxation room on the third, and spectacular rooftop views from the fourth – including a relaxing spa.
This award-winning office design by Clive Wilkinson is made out of stacked shipping containers is the home office of Palotta TeamWorks, a US charity event company. The 47,000 square foot warehouse is filled with shipping containers that have been transformed into modern office spaces. This design layout saved the company a ton of money on construction costs, and it allowed the entire space to be more open and airy.
The world’s first hotel built from recycled shipping containers has popped-up in Uxbridge, West London. Each prefabricated container comes fully-equipped with fixtures, furniture, and windows from a factory in China. The company, called Travelodge, says that constructing a hotel this way is 25% faster and 10% cheaper than the more traditional construction methods. Also, construction is much quicker, because all that has to be done is to fit each container together like it was a giant Lego set. Rooms at this London hotel start at about ï¿¡19 per night. The London area may see more these ‘portable hotels’ pop-up around the city as the 2012 Olympics approaches.
Opened in 1998, the Simon’s Town High School Hostel is constructed almost entirely of used shipping containers. This amazing place is constructed out of 40 large shipping containers to be exact, and it’s big enough to accommodate up to 120 boarders. The hostel manager gets his own 2 bedroom flat, while the other staff share 2 separate flatlets. Area residents were concerned that the project would prove to be an eyesore to the community since it was made from grungy old shipping containers, but the final result proved otherwise with a modern-looking structure that is incredibly durable and aesthetically pleasing at the same time.
This shipping container home from the so-called Zigloo Domestique project in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada is a residential home created by Keith Dewey. The home is built out of old shipping containers, and the owner chose to paint them with an industrial strength minty-green enamel, commonly found on shipping containers today, in order to maintain the container’s roots in the shipping business. While the exterior of the home may look a little rugged, due to the protruding containers, the 2,000 square foot interior of the house is quite comfortable and modern. The project cost about $150 per square foot, compared to a similar quality traditional construction project that can cost about $250 per square foot.
This stunning home is almost like a piece of art that you can live in. Constructed using 12 recycled shipping containers, the 12 container home home has all of the modern conveniences of a traditionally built home but with a unique element of style as well. A modern kitchen, huge wide-open floor plan, and gigantic windows that bring in tons of natural lighting are just a few of the great features of this home – plus, construction costs were relatively inexpensive when compared to traditional construction.
This 2,000 square foot home, built in 2001, is actually built around a smaller cottage-style house that has stood in that location for decades. The cottage house almost looks like a gigantic version of a dollhouse inside of the huge storage shed that forms the exterior of this innovative house. The 3 bedroom 2.5 bath home is also made from 5 large shipping containers – 3 on the bottom, and 2 stacked on top of those. This place also contains all of the modern features of a ‘normal’ home, but it’s supposedly built to last much longer. The creator of this innovative home is Adam Kalkin, and he’s actually selling these homes for as little as $76,000, or less than $100 per square foot – not a bad deal considering traditional construction of a new home averages about double that amount.
This 3,000 square foot L.A. home features multiple storage containers in its design – each with its own purpose. There’s a storage container for the entertainment area, library, dining room/office space, master bedroom, and bathroom/laundry room. This place has plenty of large windows which provide plenty of natural lighting as well as awesome views of the garden and koi pond outside. Aside from using recycled storage containers, this home also uses recycled steel scraps in its construction which further adds to the green vibe that this home resonates – not to mention saved a ton of money on construction costs.
Next: More Awesome Shipping Container Homes
And: Design or Buy Shipping Container Homes
Also see natural phenomena, oddities & wonders on WebEcoist and view amazing architecture, incredible interiors, fantastic furniture and more dynamic designs at Dornob and find great gadgets, strange science and tech with a twist on Gajitz.
Great Related WebUrbanist Articles:
Design, Buy, Build a Container House
A perfect example of thinking outside the box and living within one. - but what is really involved when buying, designing or building cargo container homes?
28 Comments - Click Here to Read More »»
Shipping Container Homes & Houses, Designs & Ideas
Shipping containers are becoming ever-more-popular sources of design inspiration in new architectural designs, from personal residences to big commercial building plans.
1 Comment - Click Here to Read More »»
7 Superb Examples of Recycled Urban Architecture
Know of other recycled design or amazing architecture projects? Be sure to list them in the comments below!
38 Comments - Click Here to Read More »»
And on Other Sites Be Sure to See:
The Super Swallow
A Man-Made Mountain
Strange Huts
Diet Russian Way
Russian Special Forces
A Bicycle for Tallest Man [8 feet 5 inch tall]
2 Comments - Click Here to Converse
* jim
October 11th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
I love these homes they are modern and recyclable I sooo want one. Maybe when my new site http://www.vitaminalmanac.com and http://www.pillidentifier.net makes some money I can get one going here in Austin.
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[add photos & links]
http://weburbanist.com/2008/05/26/cargo-container-homes-and-offices/
http://dornob.com/diy-used-cargo-homes-shipping-container-house-plans/
10 Clever Architectural Creations Using Cargo Containers: Shipping Container Homes and Offices
By Urbanist in Architecture & Design, Environment & Nature, Featured Articles, Urban Everything, Urban Images, Various
(Check out our complete collection of 70 Works of Recycled Art and Design.)
With the green theme growing in popularity across every stretch of the world, more and more people are turning to cargo container homes for green alternatives for office, and even new home, construction. There are countless numbers of empty, unused shipping containers around the world just sitting on the shipping docks and taking up space. The reason for this is that it’s too expensive for a country to ship empty containers back to the their origin in most cases, it’s just cheaper to buy new containers from Asia. The result is an extremely high surplus of empty shipping containers that are just waiting to become someone’s home or office. Design, buy or build your shipping container home today!
Shipping Container Architecture
There are plenty of benefits of to the so-called shipping container architecture model. A few of these advantages include: they are plentiful, they are easily transported, they’re stackable, relatively inexpensive (as little as $900 for a used container), they can be prefabricated, and they’re extremely durable. Residential applications are also becoming a popular topic of conversation among green supporters. The first official 2-story shipping container home in the US was designed by Southern California architect Peter DeMaria in 2006. The only big obstacle that he encountered during construction of his shipping container pad was making sure that the house passed all of the strict guidelines of the Uniform Building Code (UBC).
Shipping Container House
In other parts of the world, places like Odessa, Ukraine already have the the biggest shopping mall in all of Europe which uses stacked shipping containers to form alleys throughout the 170 acre site. In Asia, the Dordoy Bazaar in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan is almost entirely composed of empty shipping containers stacked two high and chock-full of inexpensive trinkets and toys. So, in other words, shipping container architecture is nothing new, but it is new when it comes to residential and office applications.
This great example of shipping container architecture was created by architects Pieter Peelings and Silvia Mertens of Sculp(IT). They live and work in these shipping containers which are stacked four high. The entire space is 2.4 meters wide by 5.5 meters deep by 12 meters high. The bottom floor is used for work, dining room is located on the second floor, relaxation room on the third, and spectacular rooftop views from the fourth – including a relaxing spa.
This award-winning office design by Clive Wilkinson is made out of stacked shipping containers is the home office of Palotta TeamWorks, a US charity event company. The 47,000 square foot warehouse is filled with shipping containers that have been transformed into modern office spaces. This design layout saved the company a ton of money on construction costs, and it allowed the entire space to be more open and airy.
The world’s first hotel built from recycled shipping containers has popped-up in Uxbridge, West London. Each prefabricated container comes fully-equipped with fixtures, furniture, and windows from a factory in China. The company, called Travelodge, says that constructing a hotel this way is 25% faster and 10% cheaper than the more traditional construction methods. Also, construction is much quicker, because all that has to be done is to fit each container together like it was a giant Lego set. Rooms at this London hotel start at about ï¿¡19 per night. The London area may see more these ‘portable hotels’ pop-up around the city as the 2012 Olympics approaches.
Opened in 1998, the Simon’s Town High School Hostel is constructed almost entirely of used shipping containers. This amazing place is constructed out of 40 large shipping containers to be exact, and it’s big enough to accommodate up to 120 boarders. The hostel manager gets his own 2 bedroom flat, while the other staff share 2 separate flatlets. Area residents were concerned that the project would prove to be an eyesore to the community since it was made from grungy old shipping containers, but the final result proved otherwise with a modern-looking structure that is incredibly durable and aesthetically pleasing at the same time.
This shipping container home from the so-called Zigloo Domestique project in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada is a residential home created by Keith Dewey. The home is built out of old shipping containers, and the owner chose to paint them with an industrial strength minty-green enamel, commonly found on shipping containers today, in order to maintain the container’s roots in the shipping business. While the exterior of the home may look a little rugged, due to the protruding containers, the 2,000 square foot interior of the house is quite comfortable and modern. The project cost about $150 per square foot, compared to a similar quality traditional construction project that can cost about $250 per square foot.
This stunning home is almost like a piece of art that you can live in. Constructed using 12 recycled shipping containers, the 12 container home home has all of the modern conveniences of a traditionally built home but with a unique element of style as well. A modern kitchen, huge wide-open floor plan, and gigantic windows that bring in tons of natural lighting are just a few of the great features of this home – plus, construction costs were relatively inexpensive when compared to traditional construction.
This 2,000 square foot home, built in 2001, is actually built around a smaller cottage-style house that has stood in that location for decades. The cottage house almost looks like a gigantic version of a dollhouse inside of the huge storage shed that forms the exterior of this innovative house. The 3 bedroom 2.5 bath home is also made from 5 large shipping containers – 3 on the bottom, and 2 stacked on top of those. This place also contains all of the modern features of a ‘normal’ home, but it’s supposedly built to last much longer. The creator of this innovative home is Adam Kalkin, and he’s actually selling these homes for as little as $76,000, or less than $100 per square foot – not a bad deal considering traditional construction of a new home averages about double that amount.
This 3,000 square foot L.A. home features multiple storage containers in its design – each with its own purpose. There’s a storage container for the entertainment area, library, dining room/office space, master bedroom, and bathroom/laundry room. This place has plenty of large windows which provide plenty of natural lighting as well as awesome views of the garden and koi pond outside. Aside from using recycled storage containers, this home also uses recycled steel scraps in its construction which further adds to the green vibe that this home resonates – not to mention saved a ton of money on construction costs.
Next: More Awesome Shipping Container Homes
And: Design or Buy Shipping Container Homes
Also see natural phenomena, oddities & wonders on WebEcoist and view amazing architecture, incredible interiors, fantastic furniture and more dynamic designs at Dornob and find great gadgets, strange science and tech with a twist on Gajitz.
Great Related WebUrbanist Articles:
Design, Buy, Build a Container House
A perfect example of thinking outside the box and living within one. - but what is really involved when buying, designing or building cargo container homes?
28 Comments - Click Here to Read More »»
Shipping Container Homes & Houses, Designs & Ideas
Shipping containers are becoming ever-more-popular sources of design inspiration in new architectural designs, from personal residences to big commercial building plans.
1 Comment - Click Here to Read More »»
7 Superb Examples of Recycled Urban Architecture
Know of other recycled design or amazing architecture projects? Be sure to list them in the comments below!
38 Comments - Click Here to Read More »»
And on Other Sites Be Sure to See:
The Super Swallow
A Man-Made Mountain
Strange Huts
Diet Russian Way
Russian Special Forces
A Bicycle for Tallest Man [8 feet 5 inch tall]
2 Comments - Click Here to Converse
* jim
October 11th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
I love these homes they are modern and recyclable I sooo want one. Maybe when my new site http://www.vitaminalmanac.com and http://www.pillidentifier.net makes some money I can get one going here in Austin.
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* Top 10 Most Popular Articles of the Year
* 100+ Natural Disasters and Phenomena
* 100+ Strangest Plants and Animals
* Amazing Fractals Found in Nature
* Brief History of the Green Movement
* Failed Funny Green Design and Tech
* Most Important Environmental Issues
* Abandoned Buildings, Towns & Cities
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* Den of Daydreams: 8 Fantastical Make-Believe Makeovers
* Crafty Consumerism: 15 Forms of Barcode Art
* War and Pieces: 9 Preserved Bombed-Out WWII Buildings
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Straw Bale Building, Dyssekilde Eco-Village
joannahruby > albums > the Dyssekilde Eco-Village, Hundest...
an international community of people building and living in houses using permaculture, sustainable energies, recycled materials and environmentally-friendly methods"
Slide show at
the Dyssekilde Eco-Village, Hundested, Denmark, June 2005
With many interesting straw bale building photos at:
http://travel.webshots.com/album/384024567zPrtkH
an international community of people building and living in houses using permaculture, sustainable energies, recycled materials and environmentally-friendly methods"
Slide show at
the Dyssekilde Eco-Village, Hundested, Denmark, June 2005
With many interesting straw bale building photos at:
http://travel.webshots.com/album/384024567zPrtkH
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Sunset Magazine Modern Cottage
inhabitat.com/2009/06/11/the-sunset-magazine-modern-cottage/
Inhabitat.com, June 11, 2009
The Sunset Magazine Modern Cottage
by Danielle Rago
Known for showcasing the latest innovations in architecture, construction, design, and green-building practices on the West Coast, Sunset magazine’s Idea House program recently debuted its latest project, the Modern Cottage, this past weekend at the magazine’s annual Celebration Weekend. Created and designed by Norwegian architect Casper Mork-Ulnes, Co-Founder and Director of Design of the San Francisco-based pre-fab building company Modern Cabana and Co-Founder and Director of Building, Nick Damner, the house incorporates green design with affordable living spaces.
Offering a creative and sustainable solution for extending living spaces, the Modern Cottage allows people to “do more with less,” says Ed Deleski of Modern Cabana. Composed of two small spaces, a 10-foot-by-12-foot and 12-foot-by-25-foot model, adjoined by a TimberTech deck, the house maximizes space by using both outdoor and indoor areas to their fullest.
Designed and constructed for sustainability, individual homes are assembled on-site using locally sourced FSC-certified clear inland cedar siding panels from Natural Forest Distribution with recycled denim insulation. According to Deleski, “all of our models use standard sized pieces of lumber which virtually eliminates waste.” Inspired by architect Mies van der Rohe, metal details were added to the exterior of the building to provide visual contrast to the cedar siding as well as promote energy efficiency. The angled metal roof is waterproofed with recycled tire rubber and is available with an integrated solar laminate to power the unit. Metal embellishments trickle down the facade to create corrugated partitions and even an outdoor shower.
Once inside, the space is decorated with a simple palette, clean lines and eco-friendly finishes and materials including Benjamin Moore’s no-VOC Natura paint and engineered bamboo flooring from Armstrong. While the interior boasts a kitchen, bathroom and all-purpose room, don’t forget the exterior spaces, designed by Peter Whiteley of Sunset magazine, which feature a multipurpose deck, cool outdoor room, and lounge area complete with sculptural plantings and a vertical green wall designed by Flora Grubb Gardens that is comprised of low-water succulents of varying shapes, textures, and colors.
The models on display at Sunset are upgrades that price at $16,375 and $72,500 (including appliances), respectively. The Modern Cottage is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays June 12 through July 19 at Sunset Headquarters, 80 Willow Road, Menlo Park, California.
---
*
SUNSET BREEZEHOUSE
Michelle Kaufman’s latest eco-prefab house, the Breezehouse, was unveiled to the public this weekend. The newest “clean and green” prefabricated home is a collaboration between...
*
2006 SUNSET IDEA HOUSE
One calendar year seems like a decade when considering the evolution of green building. So compared to last year’s Sunset Magazine Idea House, the 2006...
PREFAB FRIDAY: Cottage in a Day
With a name like Cottage in a Day, it is easy to imagine relaxing in a serene, forested setting. And these factory-built homes designed by...
more: Inhabitat.com
Legos & the Taj Mahal
From Web Urbanist
Lego Imitates Art: 25 Fabulous Recreations
Posted: 10 Jun 2009 06:21 PM PDT
Artistic Architecture
(images via: rawartint, jeffsmith02)
We have Ole Kirk Christiansen, a carpenter from Billund, Denmark, to thank for creating the first Lego block in 1932. If it were not for Christiansen’s skill and imagination, the world would have missed out on enjoying the fabulous Lego creations we see today. Legos were wooden until 1940, when the company began also producing them in plastic. The love of Legos has endured the test of time and these toys have fans of all ages around the world. These popular and versatile toys have also become an artistic medium. Aside from creating amazing original works of art, artists have also recreated famous artwork using Lego blocks. ...
The Taj Mahal is an amazing work of art in itself. A replica of this grand and universally admired structure was recreated in Legos and was a masterpiece. Models of other famous buildings and structures have also been built from Legos, such as Washington D.C. landmarks and the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas. ...
More at weburbanist.com
Monday, June 8, 2009
15 Amazing Monasteries, Sanctuaries and Abbies
Web Urbanist. Written by Steve on February 22nd, 2009 - Topics: Abandonments, Architecture, History, Travel, Various
Regardless of your religion, temples, cathedrals and churches express mankind’s eternal desire to create heavenly castles on earth. The 15 examples described here showcase the best of the best, and if these immaculate constructions instill a sense of wonder and amazement it is perhaps because they were built by people with a vision of something above and beyond this mortal world.
Brilliant Buildings: 136 Amazing Approaches to Architecture
Posted: 07 Jun 2009 12:04 PM PDT
Our homes are our castles… that old maxim dates from the days when one’s abode was a slovenly hovel, a well-mannered manor house or even an actual castle. The same goes for public buildings, apartment blocks and factories. Our buildings are the covers our enterprises - and ourselves - are judged by. These 136 brilliant buildings show, in so many ways, that when it comes to architecture skyscrapers reflect our soaring imaginations.
St. Andrews Cathedral, Scotland
(image via: Undiscovered Scotland)
Though the United Kingdom boasts many beautiful cathedrals, it is the ruined ones that captivate one with a sense of poignant charm and echoes of turbulent times past. St. Andrews Cathedral hasn’t held a mass since 1559 when the howling winds of the Reformation did what centuries of winter gales could not: bring down Scotland’s largest cathedral. The ruins of the main cathedral (consecrated in 1318) and associated outbuildings evoke a sense of eerie majesty and are, besides golf, one of the biggest tourist draws to this part of Scotland. ...
Regardless of your religion, temples, cathedrals and churches express mankind’s eternal desire to create heavenly castles on earth. The 15 examples described here showcase the best of the best, and if these immaculate constructions instill a sense of wonder and amazement it is perhaps because they were built by people with a vision of something above and beyond this mortal world.
Brilliant Buildings: 136 Amazing Approaches to Architecture
Posted: 07 Jun 2009 12:04 PM PDT
Our homes are our castles… that old maxim dates from the days when one’s abode was a slovenly hovel, a well-mannered manor house or even an actual castle. The same goes for public buildings, apartment blocks and factories. Our buildings are the covers our enterprises - and ourselves - are judged by. These 136 brilliant buildings show, in so many ways, that when it comes to architecture skyscrapers reflect our soaring imaginations.
St. Andrews Cathedral, Scotland
(image via: Undiscovered Scotland)
Though the United Kingdom boasts many beautiful cathedrals, it is the ruined ones that captivate one with a sense of poignant charm and echoes of turbulent times past. St. Andrews Cathedral hasn’t held a mass since 1559 when the howling winds of the Reformation did what centuries of winter gales could not: bring down Scotland’s largest cathedral. The ruins of the main cathedral (consecrated in 1318) and associated outbuildings evoke a sense of eerie majesty and are, besides golf, one of the biggest tourist draws to this part of Scotland. ...
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Grand Chateau ~ University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis
University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis Grand Chateau
"Le Grand Château", the main building of the University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis, Nice, France. Photo by Louis-Kenzo Cahier (Louis-Kenzo)
photo: earthinpictures.com (more info)
and on Wikipeida: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Nice_Sophia_Antipolis
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Clayton 'i-house'
AP – In this Oct. 28, 2008 image released by Clayton Homes Inc., the new 'i-house' is shown. The solar-powered, …
Clayton 'i-house' is giant leap from trailer park
AP
By DUNCAN MANSFIELD, Associated Press Writer Duncan Mansfield, Associated Press Writer – Wed May 6, 2:47 pm ET
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – From its bamboo floors to its rooftop deck, Clayton Homes' new industrial-chic "i-house" is about as far removed from a mobile home as an iPod from a record player.
Architects at the country's largest manufactured home company embraced the basic rectangular form of what began as housing on wheels and gave it a postmodern turn with a distinctive v-shaped roofline, energy efficiency and luxury appointments.
... The "i-house's" metal v-shaped roof — inspired by a gas-station awning — combines design with function. The roof provides a rain water catchment system for recycling, supports flush-mounted solar panels and vaults interior ceilings at each end to 10 1/2 feet for an added feeling of openness.
..... The Energy Star-rated design features heavy insulation, six-inch thick exterior walls, cement board and corrugated metal siding, energy efficient appliances, a tankless water heater, dual-flush toilets and lots of "low-e" glazed windows.
The company said the prototype at roughly 52,000 pounds may be the heaviest home it's ever built.
The final product will come in different exterior colors and will allow buyers to design online, adding another bedroom to the core house, a second bedroom to the flex room or rearranging the footprint to resemble an "L" instead of an "I."
"We thought of this a little like a kit of parts, where you have all these parts that can go together in different ways," said Andy Hutsell, one of the architects.
Susan Connolly, a 60-year-old accountant who works from her conventional Knoxville home, hopes to be one of the first buyers. She's seen the prototype and has been talking to the company. ... (more)
Clayton Homes "i-house" tour: http://www.clayton-media.com/ihouse/
with interesting comments in "News" at :
51. RE: Clayton's I-House: Prefab Green Homes Get Affordable
When I was a kid, we lived in a Quonset hut. Cheap living but not energy efficient. I would consider dropping the services from the ceiling powered by 12 volt boat motors. The interior could be a blank box that could be customized by moving modules around. Think of a toilet module, a sink module and a shower module, each hooked to the ceiling service. Waste and water travel in one inch pipes via boat pumps. The layout could change depending on family status. A single person might have a different layout than an older couple or a younger couple with a child. A home office worker might develop a space with office modules. When I was designing some small spaces and involved in kitchen design, I was intrigued by the European concept of taking your kitchen with you when you moved. Each cabinet was stand alone. Couple that concept with boat layouts of 12 volts and small diameter pipes. ...
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Canadian War Memorial in Green Park
Virtual Tourist: Parks and Gardens: Green Park Canadian War Memorial I
This striking monument, dedicated to the 1 million Canadians who served in WWI and II and the 110,000 who lost their lives is situated by Canada Gate and close to Buckingham Palace in Green Park. The gently sloping, dark granite and bronze monument, which forms an arrow pointing from Halifax to London, is washed with a constant flow of water under which hundreds of green maple leaves are inlaid. The monument was created by Pierre Granche in 1992.
Address: Green Park
Directions: Green Park Tube Station
Detail of Canadian War Memorial in Green Park
Photographer: scispaz, London-Edinburgh Trip,
"I like the leaf design mixed with the real fallen leaves"
extrospection.com, life_imitates_art
See more photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobcatnorth/286542829/
Children use the monument as a water slide at times.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Spiral Shell House - "Nautilus" 2006
Like something found 20,000 leagues under the sea or set in the center of the planet, this dazzling house design by Senosiain Arquitectos was patterned after a shell - as if you could not tell. Imagine for a moment being one of the two children being raised in this structure, a fairy tale wonderland of architectural and interior design delights. (more)
---
dornob.com/creative-colorful-curved-spiral-shell-house-design/
Creative, Colorful & Curved Spiral Shell House Design
curved-shell-house-design
Like something found 20,000 leagues under the sea or set in the center of the planet, this dazzling house design by Senosiain Arquitectos was patterned after a shell - as if you could not tell. Imagine for a moment being one of the two children being raised in this structure, a fairy tale wonderland of architectural and interior design delights.
curved-colorful-home-interior
Constructed from a durable combination of steel wire and special super-thick concrete, this home is as strong as it is strange - able to withstand and earthquake and incredibly low-maintenance structurally.
curved-organic-house-design
Inside the home, the odd forms of the exterior continue to wrap through and connect each space. The interior feels much like it could be outside, filled with plant life, organic pattens and winding stone paths.
curved-shell-house-interior-exterior1
spiral-shell-house-section-elevations
The only real question is whether or not this is a livable space. It is certainly fascinating, absolutely cozy, brilliantly creative and highly original but only time will tell if it can be a home as well as an amazing house.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
BIG Dreams for Small Living
From my email friend Pamela:
"Dream BIG for small living... I am so ready to downsize and BE."
I will start collecting plans and ideas here for BIG Dreams for Small Living." Yes!
To just BE.
---
Source: LIVING magazine http://mrmagazine.wordpress.com/2007/11/
---
20 Tips for Living in Small Spaces : TreeHugger
TreeHugger likes to promote living large in small spaces and doing more with less in a minimum space for maximum living; having less space means hoarding less stuff, using fewer resources and maximizing the functionality of what we can fit. ... www.treehugger.com/files/2007/10/20_tips_for_liv.php
"Dream BIG for small living... I am so ready to downsize and BE."
I will start collecting plans and ideas here for BIG Dreams for Small Living." Yes!
To just BE.
---
Source: LIVING magazine http://mrmagazine.wordpress.com/2007/11/---
20 Tips for Living in Small Spaces : TreeHugger
TreeHugger likes to promote living large in small spaces and doing more with less in a minimum space for maximum living; having less space means hoarding less stuff, using fewer resources and maximizing the functionality of what we can fit. ... www.treehugger.com/files/2007/10/20_tips_for_liv.php
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Creative Plans by Home Planners
Creative Plans for Yard and Garden Structures
Here's one of my most favorite books for building pool and play houses, and I just realized that I can build one of my own to live in! Won't cost hardly anything... this book has plans you can still order for very little; I can't wait to get started. Copies of this book are available for only 1¢ on Amazon!
Creative Plans for Yard and Garden Structures: 42 Easy-To-Build Designs for Gazebos, Sheds, Pool Houses, Playsets, Bridges and More! (Paperback) by Connie Brown (Author), Matt Debacker (Author), Inc Home Planners. Available at Amazon.com
Plans available from Home Planners, Inc. ePlans.com, 800-521-6797, Tucson AZ.
Just remember, it only takes "one more step" to dive from the high dive into the pool. That's the hardest part. The rest is EASY.
Just start planning your little dream house and your dream life; with the internet it is so easy!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Mark Terrano (MarkoPolo) > Tiny Houses
Mark Terrano (MarkoPolo) > Tiny Houses
Tiny Houses Galleries
Updated: Mar 14, 2009 12:39am PST
Sink & Water Heater : A few people have asked about the model of tankless water heater and the corner sink that I have in my house. Here are the product details. I didn't climb under the counter and get the specific model number but you can find one that is properly sized for your number of faucets and whatnot. I love the heater - the only negative is a fairly noticable 'Thunk' when you turn on the hot water heater (heavy relay engaging I guess) In a noisier house it wouldn't even be noticable. But it gives endless hot water and consumes 0 when it isn't in use so there is a lot to like.
Sink & Water Heater
A few people have asked about the model of tankless water heater and t ...
Updated: Mar 09, 2009 9:04pm PST
2007-04-24, Granite countertop installation :
2007-04-24, Granite countertop installation
Updated: Feb 14, 2009 4:34am PST
2008-December - More snow, more pictures : There was such a strange beautiful blue light just after sunset - the sky was a seamless gray and the snow was practially glowing blue. My camera couldn't quite figure out what color to make things - so there is a variety - the light was changing from minute to minute. The front porch light was burned out (or went out because of the shock of cold) so the first few pictures are just with the interior lights. Hope your holiday is filled with family, friends, good things to eat, and no cares. -m
2008-December - More snow, more pictures
There was such a strange beautiful blue light just after sunset - the ...
Updated: Dec 21, 2008 5:24pm PST
2008-12-18 Tiny house snowstorm : First a fresh dusting of confectioner's sugar, overnight 3" of fluffy powder. The tiny house is so snug and warm inside under its silent blanket of snow.
2008-12-18 Tiny house snowstorm
First a fresh dusting of confectioner's sugar, overnight 3" of fluffy ...
Updated: Dec 18, 2008 2:01pm PST
2008-10-10, Big trees, Tiny House : The tiny house is underneath a large tree next to a wooded valley - it usually isn't apparent from the pictures that I take at street level - but I thought tiny house fans might enjoy a different view. The beautiful red Japanese maple and stone bench are from a couple miles away in Kirkland at Marina Park. I'd like to plant a Japanese maple near the house - maybe to the right of the porch near the road.
2008-10-10, Big trees, Tiny House
The tiny house is underneath a large tree next to a wooded valley - it ...
Updated: Nov 15, 2008 1:49am PST
2008-11-01, Falling Leaves : The leaves were so beautiful falling around the house I made a short video so you could enjoy that. I'll try to take more pictures through the windows so you can experience the seasons. Where I live there are a lot of evergreens, maples, and hemlocks - really beautiful fall yellows, oranges, and reds. -Mark
2008-11-01, Falling Leaves
The leaves were so beautiful falling around the house I made a short v ...
Updated: Nov 02, 2008 1:36pm PST
2008-07-15, Loft Update :
2008-07-15, Loft Update
Updated: Jul 16, 2008 10:19am PST
2007-07-13, Loft Ladder : I found this great old oak utility rolling ladder on Seattle Craigslist - it is a beautiful oak ladder, lots of interesting wear and very very solidly built. I'll have to make a custom attachment for it - it is meant to go sideways actually - I just have it leaning there for now. I got the information - maybe i can find out when it was made and how it was used. I think this will be a great centerpiece of functional furniture for tiny house.
2007-07-13, Loft Ladder
I found this great old oak utility rolling ladder on Seattle Craigslis ...
Updated: Jul 13, 2007 4:20pm PST
2007-06-23, Tiny house COO : Got the certificate of occupancy from the city of redmond not long ago, this was my son's first chance to see it.
2007-06-23, Tiny house COO
Got the certificate of occupancy from the city of redmond not long ago ...
Updated: Jun 30, 2007 8:44pm PST
2007-05-13, Tiny House Update : The Ikea cabinets are in (still missing 2 handles, I miscounted)
2007-05-13, Tiny House Update
The Ikea cabinets are in (still missing 2 handles, I miscounted)
Updated: May 14, 2007 7:03pm PST
Tiny House Cabinet Ideas : These are the cabinet choices I'm considering, tell me what you think, or if you have a favorite tiny kitchen. Assume stylish glass-front wall cabinets, and white or off-white for base cabinets. They could also be footed instead of kick-plate (plinth) style but I didn't show that. The box with the * on it is the apartment sized fridge that I've already purchased. Door to the left is to outdoors (opens in), door to right is to bathroom (opens toward bathroom). Which kitchen layout would you like best ? - or feel free to make suggestions.
Tiny House Cabinet Ideas
These are the cabinet choices I'm considering, tell me what you think, ...
Updated: Nov 30, 2006 2:55pm PST
2006-11-08, Tiny House :
2006-11-08, Tiny House
Updated: Nov 16, 2006 7:02pm PST
2006-11-12, Tiny House Front Light Choices : Lamps from Old California Lighting Company ( https://www.oldcalifornia.com/crossroads07.asp ) thanks Danielle for reminding me to identify them. No need for anyone to vote now, I've had the light up for some time, you can see it on one of the more recent libraries. -m
2006-11-12, Tiny House Front Light Choices
Lamps from Old California Lighting Company ( https://www.oldcaliforni ...
Updated: Nov 16, 2006 10:34am PST
2006-10-10, Tiny House Update (Digging) : Update - digging the trenches for power, water, and sewer. The big hole (#4) is for the 500gal septic holding tank that the city mandated.
2006-10-10, Tiny House Update (Digging)
Update - digging the trenches for power, water, and sewer. The big ho ...
Updated: Oct 18, 2006 5:25am PST
2006-09-24, Tiny House :
2006-09-24, Tiny House
Updated: Sep 27, 2006 5:15pm PST
Tiny House Color Ideas : What do you think? (NOTE: House has been painted for awhile, don't bother to vote now - just go to a later gallery and see how it came out - m)
Tiny House Color Ideas
What do you think? (NOTE: House has been painted for awhile, don't bo ...
Updated: Aug 27, 2006 9:45pm PST
2006-Summer Tiny House : Tiny house foundation and walls
2006-Summer Tiny House
Tiny house foundation and walls
Updated: Aug 26, 2006 5:35pm PST
2006-02-11, Building Tiny House : The building permit continues it peristaltic journey through the city and county offices, so we decided to just go ahead and start with prefab - this will make the final assembly go faster.
2006-02-11, Building Tiny House
The building permit continues it peristaltic journey through the city ...
Updated: Feb 13, 2006 10:35am PST
2005-10-17, Building Tiny House : The Tiny House is my project to build my mom a house on my lot - she was wiped out living in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit. I heard from a friend about Tumbleweed Tiny Houses ( http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/ ) - I ordered plans [Mulfinger plan - might not be offered any longer] and am having that built - I'll be adding more pictures here as the house develops. Unfortunately bureaucracy does not scale per square foot so we're still stuck in permit land. The general contractor is Corey-Dean Homes.
2005-10-17, Building Tiny House
The Tiny House is my project to build my mom a house on my lot - she w ...
Updated: Jan 23, 2006 12:36pm PST
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My name is Jay Shafer and since 1997 I have been living in houses smaller than some people’s closets. I call the first of my little hand built houses Tumbleweed. My decision to inhabit just 89 square feet arose from some concerns I had about the impact a larger house would have on the environment, and because I do not want to maintain a lot of unused or unusable space. My houses have met all of my domestic needs without demanding much in return. The simple, slower lifestyle my homes have afforded is a luxury for which I am continually grateful. Read more…
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Friday, April 3, 2009
Water Bottle Privacy Screen
image via: Fabulously Green
Room Dividers: 15 Spectacular Spatial Separators
weburbanist.com
Written by Steph on March 31st, 2009 - Topics: Furniture
Crafts made from recycled water bottles aren’t generally the prettiest things ever, but this installation of water bottles as room dividers is certainly an exception. Fittingly, this transparent room screen was created by Klein Dytham Architecture for the Danone company, which manufactures Evian and Volvic bottled water. (more ideas)
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The Patio
.jpg)
Who did this, and where?
---
Reply from Sue:
FAV'S...Re: Mosaics [Re: Catherine!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Patio. adobe, cob?
Sunday March 24, 2009 4:35 AM (4 hours ago)
Here's the website and story of that patio, she used to have a mosaic studio, (its in New Zealand) sold the business end, and put in a cafe!
http://www.larte.co.nz/history.html
here's a couple pics of it...
http://www.jasons.com/New-Zealand/Taupo/LArte-Mosaic-Cafe-and-Sculpture-Garden
couple more... http://www.totaltravel.co.nz/link.asp?fid=630728
Couple more good ones... https://www.coffeesupreme.com/freshly_roasted.php?id=169
It could be made from cob but it may not last a long as cement, but think if the cob was covered with a layer of cement before the mosaic and had a cement or rock base to keep water from creeping up from the bottom it would last quite awhile...Could definitely do more with cob, cost wise.. I flipped when I found this patio, best I've seen yet. I do have some other inspiration I am attaching... I see you were able to bring up (open) that last word doc I sent, so am sending this in the word format also..
Catherine wrote to Sue: "Here's a mosaic website with a bunch of interesting links... and I like your mosaics better!"
http://mosaicartsource.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/mosaic-sculpture-outdoor-art-exhibit-prix-picassiette-2004-chartres-france/"
Hey there was a few in here I hadn't seen, thank you!! Believe me I have spent many many weeks and hours researching lots of Mosaics, I especially love the large dimensional ones! I have probably over half the Megabits of my computer eaten up with tons of files of mosaic pictures. I'm talking tons of pics... I have them categorized by stuff like fish, birds, cats, dogs, chickens, murals, furniture, benches, cool ideas, lizards & snakes, cowboy, beach scenes, animals, flowers, garden art, guitars, etc ...48 folders so far and still trying to get them organized. all filled, some up to 16 MB each!! I get so excited and want to do so many of them! ha ha
Hope I can stay for at least a month when I come down, it will be this year, don't know if it will be with Trek Study or just coming down when Astrid is going down in Dec. So be sure to start a BIG collection of pottery/dishes/cups and tiles. Try to sit them on some wood or someway -so they won't get buried in the dirt/sand during the rainy season. Rocks too...separate colors of everything the best you can... We'll do SOMETHING! Cob takes more than a month (several depending on the weather) to dry before you can put cement on it, so we'll have to figure out something unless you can get some kids/friends/hire someone to get a bench or something started so it will be dry...
Later! [Sue Pearson]
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Loving Living Small
Loving Living Small is an excellent blog, with many interesting ideas. Well worth watching. http://lovinglivingsmall.blogspot.com/
Monday, March 23, 2009
archiplanet.org/wiki ~ e-plans.com
http://www.archiplanet.org/wiki/Home_Planners,_Inc.,_Tucson,_Arizona,_USA
I don't think this is the same Home Planners, Inc. that have the book with great architectural plans for sale. Find them at e-plans.com.
This is a Wiki page for http://www.archiplanet.org/wiki that bears looking into, at least from the Wiki design standpoint.
Finish this entry...
I don't think this is the same Home Planners, Inc. that have the book with great architectural plans for sale. Find them at e-plans.com.
This is a Wiki page for http://www.archiplanet.org/wiki that bears looking into, at least from the Wiki design standpoint.
Finish this entry...
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Lois Lewis, 72, Built Her Own Cob Home
"I was flying by the seat of my pants...."
How Lois Lewis, 72, Built Her Own Home
Interview by Becky Bee
Becky Bee: What inspired you to build a house?
Lois Lewis: I needed to do something I'd never done, and I needed a real change from what I was doing, which was taking care of my father. I saw your newspaper ad about workshops on building mud houses, or as you call them, "cob" houses. I was free for a week, so I went to the workshop, never dreaming what it would lead to!
We worked hands-on in the mornings and attended class in the afternoons. I took copious notes, and made up my mind to build one. I was 68 years old. I knew that if I was going to do it, I had to do it now, because who knows how much time I had, or how long my health would hold.
I started looking immediately. It took a while to find my land. I bought it in the spring, and didn't wait for the year around to see what was going to happen on the land. I felt an urgency to just get going. My daughter and I bought the land together. She has three children and needed a three-bedroom house. The piece we bought had a whole acre, plenty of room for me to put my house on it, too. (more)
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Recycled plastic for houses & furniture (finish)
http://www.maderplast.com.gt/casas.html
(Finish... add photos)
Carrocerias
Estanterias
Tarimas
Casas
Encaminamientos
Garitas
Muelles
Muros Perimetrales
Pergolas
Tejas
madera hecha de plástico reciclado duradera, ecológica y económica
EMPRESA
AGRICULTURA Y
FLORICULTURA
CONSTRUCCION
GANADERIA Y
PORCICULTURA
INDUSTRIA
MOBILIARIO
CONSTRUCCIÓN
Casas
Encaminamientos
Garitas
Muelles
Muros Perimetrales
Pérgolas
Tejas
MADERPLAST
madera hecha de plástico reciclado duradera, ecológica y económica
- Leer más...
CASAS
La madera plástica tiene muchas ventajas sobre el barro, la madera y el concreto. Por su flexibilidad y resistencia, no se quiebra ni se parte como sí lo hace la madera, las tejas y las estructuras de concreto prefabricado. El material es ideal para la construcción de pequeñas casas.
Además, resiste el sol y la humedad, por lo que no hay mejor opción que la madera plástica para ranchos y casas pequeñas.
Más Información...
NO necesita mantenimiento, ni tintes especiales para alargar su vida útil.
Copyright 2008 - 2009. Maderplast.com.gt, mail : info@maderplast.com.gt
Diseña: www.EstrategiaenRed.com
(Finish... add photos)
Carrocerias
Estanterias
Tarimas
Casas
Encaminamientos
Garitas
Muelles
Muros Perimetrales
Pergolas
Tejas
madera hecha de plástico reciclado duradera, ecológica y económica
EMPRESA
AGRICULTURA Y
FLORICULTURA
CONSTRUCCION
GANADERIA Y
PORCICULTURA
INDUSTRIA
MOBILIARIO
CONSTRUCCIÓN
Casas
Encaminamientos
Garitas
Muelles
Muros Perimetrales
Pérgolas
Tejas
MADERPLAST
madera hecha de plástico reciclado duradera, ecológica y económica
- Leer más...
CASAS
La madera plástica tiene muchas ventajas sobre el barro, la madera y el concreto. Por su flexibilidad y resistencia, no se quiebra ni se parte como sí lo hace la madera, las tejas y las estructuras de concreto prefabricado. El material es ideal para la construcción de pequeñas casas.
Además, resiste el sol y la humedad, por lo que no hay mejor opción que la madera plástica para ranchos y casas pequeñas.
Más Información...
NO necesita mantenimiento, ni tintes especiales para alargar su vida útil.
Copyright 2008 - 2009. Maderplast.com.gt, mail : info@maderplast.com.gt
Diseña: www.EstrategiaenRed.com
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Tomb of Abélard et Héloïse, Père Lachaise Cemetery
The-Tomb-Of-Heloise-And-Abelard-In-The-Pere-Lachaise-Cemetery,-1815-20.jpg
I'd like to have an outdoor bathing pavilion with hot volcanic water just like this one. This can be a place of restoration as well; you can bury me under it later. Will I be able to build this at Lake Atitlan? I will ask my architect Amilcar to draw it up and figure out the best way to create the Medieval arches, since I can't afford a stone carver in Panajachel. A thing of beauty is a thing that lasts.
*****
Tomb of Abélard et Héloïse, Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris, France ...
Pierre Abélard (1079 – April 21, 1142) was a French scholastic philosopher, theologian, and logician. The story of his affair with his student, Héloïse, ...
www.flickr.com/photos/brighton/648966097/
Tomb of Abélard et Héloïse, Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris, France ...
The letters of Heloïse (1101–1162) and Pierre Abélard are among the best known records of early romantic love. There seems to be some question as to ...
www.flickr.com/photos/brighton/648894885/
Père Lachaise Cemetery...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C3%A8re_Lachaise
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