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| Mrs. Q (left) & Me (the other one) |
Starting at the beginning, follow us through the adventure of building a high-quality, low-cost, low-maintenance, cost-effective, passive and self-sustaining life-support system that offers economy, comfort, and security. The plan is to design and construct a home that will benefit from the best use of materials and space.
This project has been decades in the making, but less than a couple of months in execution. It begins in my early career as a draftsman and architectural designer when I discovered that in the construction of 'stick-n-brick' homes the monumental waste of time and materials is staggering. Early on, I started looking at the alternatives: geodesic domes; foam homes; earth ships; pole barn houses; berm homes; tree houses; and shipping container condos. All have their good points--and drawbacks.
The premise for this project is that we want a home that will be cheap to build, virtually maintenance-free, offer economical living, be flexible in design and use, and keep us dry, and warm in winter, yet cool in summer.
For this project, we have chosen the lowly, homely Quonset Hut. Usually relegated to more utilitarian occupations as barns and industrial buildings, the Quonset hut is slowly ascending to a higher station in life: the family home. Although most of the people choosing Quonsets for their next home are on the outer fringes of society: retirees and adventurers; our current economic outlook and social uncertainty (not to mention the crashing housing market), is driving many to look at Quonsets in a different light.
Cool idea. Can't wait to see how it progresses. do you have to deal with housing permits and all that garbage?
ReplyDeletePioneer included stamped engineering drawings with their building which makes obtaining a building permit much easier than a conventional structure. I'm sure other manufacturers do the same. Unfortunately, obtaining permits is just part of the process, but we can rest assured, its for our own good.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting concept! Seems it would be a viable option here in north Alabama tornado country, too; less wind resistance and ability to add additional support without limiting floorplan choices. I'll be following your progress as I'm curious about what, if any, hurdles you have to jump in order to get permits, etc.
ReplyDeleteOne of the principle advantages to the Quonset design, besides efficiency and economy, is the fact that the wind cannot 'grab hold' of the curved surface. Normally oriented with the ends North/South (or perpendicular to the prevailing winds) only the ends are exposed and they comprise the smallest amount of surface area. Quonsets have been recorded to withstand 200-mph hurricane winds at Gitmo when other structures were blown away.
ReplyDeleteVery excited to be watching your progress. I too have a dream of a Quonset home here in Ontario, Canada. I'd also very much like to share the Quonset lifestyle with the dogs(so to speak) as I hope to create a cozy and green canine day camp and Vacation retreat (to say it's a kennel just doesn't invoke the friendliness, fun and cozy atmosphere I envision). Until my dream can take shape, I will enjoy living vicariously through your Quonset adventure and take lots of notes! Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMost sincerely,
~ Becky
Came across your site today. Was looking for the Hut homes. It seems you are the only ones Ive seen so far in giving a detailed version of this type of home. True pioneers. Please continue to share your experiences.I do believe the time has come for this structure to be lifted up to the housing level.When katrina came through Mississippi several years ago I knew of a where a hut home was that had been in the worst part of the 12ft storm surge. Was told it was the only structure that had survived.
ReplyDeletegood luck
michael
Moving to Palatka Fl. want to build a quonset home on two acres i own. Is there another source to follow your progress? We are creating a permaculture food tree forest and trying to be as sustainable as possible. My facebook is under miketurnerart@gmail.com any one please find me and let me know what you know about quonset homes. thank you
ReplyDeleteI see the archive to the right now. my screen was blown up. i have been looking into all sorts of low budget sustainable homes and i finally found the Quonset Hut. Thank you for creating this page. we are getting really close to our lease end in Fort Lauderdale and have to make this decision really soon. we are going to take baby steps as we can only afford the steel shell and hopefully the concrete slab and the basics.
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