We're still waiting for our building permit which is expected any day now. Although the process has been slow, the details have been figured and refigured and refigured again. The permit drawings consist of 15 very complex pages. For a small house, 815 sq. ft. of heated space, the complexities are stunningly complicated. We're hoping the effort put into the front end of this project will help the actual building proceed more quickly. What we're constructing, according to the official records, is a 2-building single family residence and carport/shop. Additional construction of a guest house with bath in the rear setback. The 3-building complex focuses on open space, minimal impact, sustainable/green building practices and will include installation of both net metered photo-voltaic systems and solar hot water collectors which will provide 60-80% of the annual heat load.
As it usual with us, in our desire for simplicity we need to work through complexity first. Once our small home is completed we think folks will say, "well, why was that so difficult?" Nevertheless, simplicity requires more design, not less, in my experience. I don't remember who (Jefferson perhaps) said "I'm sorry this letter is so long, I don't have time to write a short one." Perhaps we could say the same about the horribly huge homes these days. "I'm sorry this house is so big, I didn't have time to figure out what I really needed so I just threw square footage at it."
On February 28 it snowed, and again on March 1. Brad and his friend Scotty worked both days in the cold pulling more nails and moving and stacking huge beams. From a warehouse in Tacoma we purchased beautiful, old, dry, tight grain 20' 2x8's and at a warehouse in Seattle we purchased exceedingly heavy 20' beams. Both Brad and Scotty are strong but even they had difficulty moving these beams. Langley's inspector, Bob, has approved their use and seems almost as excited as Brad about their weight, tight grain, and structural integrity. We have enough for the beams in all three buildings plus some left over to mill for other uses.
On the day we picked up the biggest load of 2x8's and the beams, in a rented U-Haul, we exhausted ourselves. It was a long day and because I accompanied Brad he had less than adequate assistance. Fortunately, Kent helped out at the first stop.
This is the Tacoma Warehouse, near the Port of Tacoma, where we picked up 100+ 2x8's
These are the beams. A find by Kent Richards, who also helped Brad load them.
Late at night, Ed and Brad unload the U-Haul Truck.
Although it seems like we haven't begun "real" construction, we definitely have. We now have much of the lumber we need; a fully functional shop; site preparation well underway; alders removed; garden begun; design in for permitting; and subs lined up for many tasks, including solar, concrete, electrical and roofing. The weather gets better each day and the days longer, so work will begin in the most pleasant working season. Craig's List continues to be searched daily for more gleaning of supplies and furnishings.
Today, Marach 7, the sun is shining and it's warm, in the high 40's. Brad is skiing at Stevens Pass. Fran is finishing up design work and working on accounting details. Ed is at Monroe teaching away. A week ago Sunday we all rode the Chilly Hilly in the pouring rain. Brad and Erin on one tandem; Fran and Ed on the other.
As it usual with us, in our desire for simplicity we need to work through complexity first. Once our small home is completed we think folks will say, "well, why was that so difficult?" Nevertheless, simplicity requires more design, not less, in my experience. I don't remember who (Jefferson perhaps) said "I'm sorry this letter is so long, I don't have time to write a short one." Perhaps we could say the same about the horribly huge homes these days. "I'm sorry this house is so big, I didn't have time to figure out what I really needed so I just threw square footage at it."
On February 28 it snowed, and again on March 1. Brad and his friend Scotty worked both days in the cold pulling more nails and moving and stacking huge beams. From a warehouse in Tacoma we purchased beautiful, old, dry, tight grain 20' 2x8's and at a warehouse in Seattle we purchased exceedingly heavy 20' beams. Both Brad and Scotty are strong but even they had difficulty moving these beams. Langley's inspector, Bob, has approved their use and seems almost as excited as Brad about their weight, tight grain, and structural integrity. We have enough for the beams in all three buildings plus some left over to mill for other uses.
On the day we picked up the biggest load of 2x8's and the beams, in a rented U-Haul, we exhausted ourselves. It was a long day and because I accompanied Brad he had less than adequate assistance. Fortunately, Kent helped out at the first stop.
This is the Tacoma Warehouse, near the Port of Tacoma, where we picked up 100+ 2x8's
These are the beams. A find by Kent Richards, who also helped Brad load them.
Late at night, Ed and Brad unload the U-Haul Truck.
Although it seems like we haven't begun "real" construction, we definitely have. We now have much of the lumber we need; a fully functional shop; site preparation well underway; alders removed; garden begun; design in for permitting; and subs lined up for many tasks, including solar, concrete, electrical and roofing. The weather gets better each day and the days longer, so work will begin in the most pleasant working season. Craig's List continues to be searched daily for more gleaning of supplies and furnishings.
Today, Marach 7, the sun is shining and it's warm, in the high 40's. Brad is skiing at Stevens Pass. Fran is finishing up design work and working on accounting details. Ed is at Monroe teaching away. A week ago Sunday we all rode the Chilly Hilly in the pouring rain. Brad and Erin on one tandem; Fran and Ed on the other.
1 comment:
How exciting to see the much-talked-about blog. Looks awesome Fran--keep up the good work! I look forward to being able to watch the progress from a distance. Hopefully I can get in on some of the action during spring break.
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