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Quonset hut house?
|
|
|
| Hi,
I saw a steel quonset hut at a place where I was looking at a
automobile and I was wondering if anyone ever saw one used as a
residence. I am curious about these and went to a few sites
| |
| Ken S. Tucker 2006-11-24, 1:25 pm |
|
J wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I saw a steel quonset hut at a place where I was looking at a
> automobile and I was wondering if anyone ever saw one used as a
> residence. I am curious about these and went to a few sites
We looked at them carefully. The're quite forest fire
and wind resistant and can carry a large snow load,
but doing the interior is a bit tough, also cutting windows
into the sides is expensive, though doable.
Best to start with some sort of floor plan and see if
it'll work with a Q-hut with the interior figured and costed
then compare that to regular stick construction costs.
Ultimately we decided on sticks and plywood because
that was our experiential base.
What latitude (climate) are you in?
Ken
| |
|
|
We're near Pittsburgh, Pa. In recent years we've received 5 inches of
snow. No tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes or anything like that. I
thought a possible design could include skylights, windows, and
possibly a rooftop garden. I was thinking of earthtone colored siding.
I figure the interior could be assembled like concert platforms, only
reinforced, and then wheeled in and anchored in place. Wanted to have a
2 story equivalent and integrated garage. I think the only real
challenges would be the risk of exposed electrical connections and
drywalling or wallcovering at the curved part. I've looked everywhere
online and can't find one besides old military and sales photos.
-J
On Nov 24, 1:11 pm, "Ken S. Tucker" <dynam...@vianet.on.ca> wrote:
> J wrote:
>
> and wind resistant and can carry a large snow load,
> but doing the interior is a bit tough, also cutting windows
> into the sides is expensive, though doable.
>
> Best to start with some sort of floor plan and see if
> it'll work with a Q-hut with the interior figured and costed
> then compare that to regular stick construction costs.
> Ultimately we decided on sticks and plywood because
> that was our experiential base.
> What latitude (climate) are you in?
> Ken
| |
|
| They've used a similar design with organic materials in this area for a
long time. But I don't think many have had a garage. They have even
done multi-family using the concept.
http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/IroquoisV...ructiontwo.html
http://www.peace4turtleisland.org/pages/longhouse.htm
Hope this helps. ;-)
J wrote:[color=darkred]
> We're near Pittsburgh, Pa. In recent years we've received 5 inches of
> snow. No tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes or anything like that. I
> thought a possible design could include skylights, windows, and
> possibly a rooftop garden. I was thinking of earthtone colored siding.
> I figure the interior could be assembled like concert platforms, only
> reinforced, and then wheeled in and anchored in place. Wanted to have a
> 2 story equivalent and integrated garage. I think the only real
> challenges would be the risk of exposed electrical connections and
> drywalling or wallcovering at the curved part. I've looked everywhere
> online and can't find one besides old military and sales photos.
>
>
> -J
>
>
>
> On Nov 24, 1:11 pm, "Ken S. Tucker" <dynam...@vianet.on.ca> wrote:
| |
|
| Can't recall the name of the place but there's a company on the east coast
of florida that deals with them.
They supplied the materials for a 30' dia building I designed a few years
ago for storage.
As I recall it, it was assembled in 2' wide sections with each section
consisting of 4 segments of the arch which was assembled with small bolts
while laying sideways on the ground. Once each section was assembled it was
then stood up and bolted to the previous section, and so on.
The one I did was sitting on top of a 4' high concrete block kneewall and it
had large sliding doors on each end and no windows or other penetrations in
the curved sidewalls. The frames for the large sliding doors looked funky
because they extended out past the curve of the roof. Looked like hell in my
opinion.
FWIW, I found the engineering dept of that company very difficult to deal
with, it took them months to provide the required engineering on their
components in order to get a building permit.
"J" <jls038@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1164415085.720644.99250@j44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
> We're near Pittsburgh, Pa. In recent years we've received 5 inches of
> snow. No tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes or anything like that. I
> thought a possible design could include skylights, windows, and
> possibly a rooftop garden. I was thinking of earthtone colored siding.
> I figure the interior could be assembled like concert platforms, only
> reinforced, and then wheeled in and anchored in place. Wanted to have a
> 2 story equivalent and integrated garage. I think the only real
> challenges would be the risk of exposed electrical connections and
> drywalling or wallcovering at the curved part. I've looked everywhere
> online and can't find one besides old military and sales photos.
>
>
> -J
>
>
>
> On Nov 24, 1:11 pm, "Ken S. Tucker" <dynam...@vianet.on.ca> wrote:
>
| |
| Ken S. Tucker 2006-11-25, 9:25 am |
|
J wrote:
> We're near Pittsburgh, Pa. In recent years we've received 5 inches of
> snow. No tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes or anything like that. I
> thought a possible design could include skylights, windows, and
> possibly a rooftop garden. I was thinking of earthtone colored siding.
> I figure the interior could be assembled like concert platforms, only
> reinforced, and then wheeled in and anchored in place. Wanted to have a
> 2 story equivalent and integrated garage. I think the only real
> challenges would be the risk of exposed electrical connections and
> drywalling or wallcovering at the curved part. I've looked everywhere
> online and can't find one besides old military and sales photos.
There's these
http://www.commodoresteelbuildings.com/buildings.html
and
pioneerbuildings.com
Search "steel buildings" for more.
My problem was the interior, seems I would need
to put 2x4 walls up anyway for insulation and
electricals.
Ken
[color=darkred]
| |
|
| I'd want the feeling of a regular home (or as close as possible) I
figured studs would be necessary, lay electrical and plumbing, spray
insulation, and cover it all up with drywall. The arched part would not
be fun.
On Nov 25, 10:16 am, "Ken S. Tucker" <dynam...@vianet.on.ca> wrote:[color=darkred]
> J wrote:
> and
> pioneerbuildings.com
>
> Search "steel buildings" for more.
>
> My problem was the interior, seems I would need
> to put 2x4 walls up anyway for insulation and
> electricals.
> Ken
>
>
| |
|
| To me this sounds like an old edition of Popular Science or Popular
Mechanics. See if you can find an archieve of old editions.
J wrote:[color=darkred]
> I'd want the feeling of a regular home (or as close as possible) I
> figured studs would be necessary, lay electrical and plumbing, spray
> insulation, and cover it all up with drywall. The arched part would not
> be fun.
>
> On Nov 25, 10:16 am, "Ken S. Tucker" <dynam...@vianet.on.ca> wrote:
| |
| Ken S. Tucker 2006-11-25, 1:25 pm |
|
J wrote:
> I'd want the feeling of a regular home (or as close as possible) I
> figured studs would be necessary, lay electrical and plumbing, spray
> insulation, and cover it all up with drywall. The arched part would not
> be fun.
I understand your concept and I like it!
The problem is how to do it?
Call the front your garage, and the back the living
quarters with windows facing out back.
(I read your posting history, you're quite mechanical?)
You may as well build a house *inside* the Quonset "Q",
completely 2x4 stick framed and leave a service corridor
betweem the Q-walls and your stick frame and then
insulate your inside house. That's what I ended up with.
For round figures, suppose your house takes up 50%
and your garage 50% of the Q, that's fine.
Now here's a kicker, using grow light's you could have
a 365 day garden outside your house in the garage
direction inside the Q and have year-round trees and
flowers, along the lines of a hot house to add some
pleasantry to your interior. Shoot you could even grow
a bit of pot there if that's your inclination.
Here goes a bit of ascii...
----------------------------------------------
| | ** |
| | ** |
| house garage parking
| | ** |
| | ** |
-----------------------------------------------
"**" are indoor gardens
I'm looking for a new project, maybe I'll build one too.
Ken
[color=darkred]
| |
|
| You are building a building inside a building and in the process losing
all of the quonsetness from the place. Why not embrace the Q-ness? If
it's worth doing, it's probably worth over-doing.
Picture this. You have the q-hut-shell. Inside it, maybe 6", you
install a 2nd q-hut-shell. You insulate the void and run very basic
utilities. You use matching metal dormers and returns on the window
openings, etc. Use bare metal switch covers, etc. Some electric in
exposed conduit like in urban lofts. Same with exposed HVAC (maybe
even overhead "industrial" blowers for heat (better yet, heat the floor
and keep it bare concrete). Then have the metal shop fabricate metal
panels that match the curve of the roof for walls for perm things like
bathroom. For temp things, use pre-fab metal partitions that you can
move so you can reconfigure things.
For the attic, put it over the perm stuff (bath, mechanicals etc) and
take the outside piece of a scaffold and weld it securely in place so
you climb that to get to the attic, like you are climbing scaffolding.
No paint. No rugs. No sheetrock. Nothing but bare metal. Okay,
maybe paint some of the pipes for contrast, but they use the arrows
that say " flow --> " on them, etc that industrial/military look.
Paint yellow lines on the floor to differentiate the living room from
the dining room, etc.
It would be sort of a q-hut with a loft interior.
Then, tell everyone it is some relic of the cold war. That'd be
way-cool.
(okay, you can all start breathing again and be grateful I'm not an
architect).
Pat.
Ken S. Tucker wrote:[color=darkred]
> J wrote:
>
> I understand your concept and I like it!
> The problem is how to do it?
> Call the front your garage, and the back the living
> quarters with windows facing out back.
> (I read your posting history, you're quite mechanical?)
>
> You may as well build a house *inside* the Quonset "Q",
> completely 2x4 stick framed and leave a service corridor
> betweem the Q-walls and your stick frame and then
> insulate your inside house. That's what I ended up with.
>
> For round figures, suppose your house takes up 50%
> and your garage 50% of the Q, that's fine.
> Now here's a kicker, using grow light's you could have
> a 365 day garden outside your house in the garage
> direction inside the Q and have year-round trees and
> flowers, along the lines of a hot house to add some
> pleasantry to your interior. Shoot you could even grow
> a bit of pot there if that's your inclination.
> Here goes a bit of ascii...
>
> ----------------------------------------------
> | | ** |
> | | ** |
> | house garage parking
> | | ** |
> | | ** |
> -----------------------------------------------
>
> "**" are indoor gardens
>
> I'm looking for a new project, maybe I'll build one too.
> Ken
>
>
| |
| Kris Krieger 2006-11-25, 5:25 pm |
| "Ken S. Tucker" <dynamics@vianet.on.ca> wrote in
news:1164391900.847326.104150@l12g2000cwl.googlegroups.com:
>
> J wrote:
>
> We looked at them carefully. The're quite forest fire
> and wind resistant and can carry a large snow load,
> but doing the interior is a bit tough, also cutting windows
> into the sides is expensive, though doable.
>
> Best to start with some sort of floor plan and see if
> it'll work with a Q-hut with the interior figured and costed
> then compare that to regular stick construction costs.
> Ultimately we decided on sticks and plywood because
> that was our experiential base.
> What latitude (climate) are you in?
> Ken
>
>
OK, this would take a lot of space, but, couldn't one build a core, cover
it with a dome/Q-hut shell, and blow in lots of insulation in between...?
Windows are always dicy on a curved surface and would need to have some
sort of cover, I'd think, also the sills would definitel need to be
tilted outwards to allow for optimal runoff. But OTOH, the "inner core"
would provide the squared walls/ceilings people are used to and most seem
to prefer...
Just some "apres turkey" mental ramblings...
| |
| Kris Krieger 2006-11-25, 5:25 pm |
| "Pat" <groups@artisticphotography.us> wrote in
news:1164429396.397938.187730@m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com:
> They've used a similar design with organic materials in this area for
> a long time. But I don't think many have had a garage. They have
> even done multi-family using the concept.
>
> http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/IroquoisV...ructiontwo.html
> http://www.peace4turtleisland.org/pages/longhouse.htm
>
> Hope this helps. ;-)
I didn't know all that - interesting. I did know, tho', that the Great
Law of the Iroquois was pretty major to Franklin's (et al) thoughts
regarding things like liberty and justice. Except the Iroquois seemed to
have been able to get it to work alot better, for a lot longer (correct
me as needed ;) )
>
>
> J wrote:
>
>
| |
|
| You know how Google always places adds to the left and they take their
keywords from the context of the page. Well somehome there were ads
for things like mobile home skirting. So that's the solution. Pull a
single-wide into a q-hut and bam, you're done.
Kris Krieger wrote:
> "Ken S. Tucker" <dynamics@vianet.on.ca> wrote in
> news:1164391900.847326.104150@l12g2000cwl.googlegroups.com:
>
>
> OK, this would take a lot of space, but, couldn't one build a core, cover
> it with a dome/Q-hut shell, and blow in lots of insulation in between...?
>
> Windows are always dicy on a curved surface and would need to have some
> sort of cover, I'd think, also the sills would definitel need to be
> tilted outwards to allow for optimal runoff. But OTOH, the "inner core"
> would provide the squared walls/ceilings people are used to and most seem
> to prefer...
>
> Just some "apres turkey" mental ramblings...
| |
|
| "Ken S. Tucker"> wrote
> Shoot you could even grow
> a bit of pot there if that's your inclination.
Hell yaeh, self employment rawks......
| |
|
| "Pat"> wrote
> You are building a building inside a building and in the process losing
> all of the quonsetness from the place. Why not embrace the Q-ness? If
> it's worth doing, it's probably worth over-doing.
Q-ness.
Spray 6" of insulation on the interior (Icylene?) then have a mechanical
corridor in the center of the ceiling with all the ductwork, electrical,
plumbing?, etc.
If it sets on a raised wood floor with decent crawl space, have floor
electrical outlets in all the rooms, or, make all room division walls 8'
high and open above then chase the wires through the walls.
This could be a real cool and unique project and I see all kinds of room for
creativity.
Some of the Q-panels (24" wide?) could be translucent like a skylight of
sorts facilitating natural light into the spaces.
The OP should contact me right away, meet, bring a fat checkbook, and lets
get to it.
Hell, I'll cut my rate by 50% just to do this sort of thing...it would be
more fun than going to disney world! heh
| |
|
| "Pat"> wrote
> You know how Google always places adds to the left and they take their
> keywords from the context of the page. Well somehome there were ads
> for things like mobile home skirting. So that's the solution. Pull a
> single-wide into a q-hut and bam, you're done.
Then what be the point of having a Q?
A garage for a mobile home?
| |
|
|
"Kris Krieger"> wrote
> Windows are always dicy on a curved surface and would need to have some
> sort of cover, I'd think, also the sills would definitel need to be
> tilted outwards to allow for optimal runoff.
Do all the windows and doors as Q-dormers, with 1/2 round roofs.
Embrace the Q-ness. :-)
| |
|
| Yes, but it would have to be an Airstream. A q-hut on wheels.
Don wrote:
> "Pat"> wrote
>
> Then what be the point of having a Q?
>
> A garage for a mobile home?
| |
| Ken S. Tucker 2006-11-25, 9:25 pm |
|
Don wrote:
> "Pat"> wrote
>
> Q-ness.
> Spray 6" of insulation on the interior (Icylene?)
Right, that solves condensation problems too.
> then have a mechanical
> corridor in the center of the ceiling with all the ductwork, electrical,
> plumbing?, etc.
> If it sets on a raised wood floor with decent crawl space, have floor
> electrical outlets in all the rooms, or, make all room division walls 8'
> high and open above then chase the wires through the walls.
>
> This could be a real cool and unique project and I see all kinds of room for
> creativity.
> Some of the Q-panels (24" wide?) could be translucent like a skylight of
> sorts facilitating natural light into the spaces.
The OP is in Pa. so if the Q has warmth and humidity,
he'd probably need double pane winterized ski-lights.
IIRC the're available for corrogated steel buildings.
> The OP should contact me right away, meet, bring a fat checkbook, and lets
> get to it.
> Hell, I'll cut my rate by 50% just to do this sort of thing...it would be
> more fun than going to disney world! heh
The OP couldn't do better, you guys are practically
neighbours. A woodstove/fireplace/firepit in an indoor
garden would be kinda fitting, offset outside his front
door, with a nice brewsky patio adjacent, year round.
Spray paint the insulation with a lightish blue and
a few clouds could be quite artsy and appealing.
((Fire code concerns drift in)).
Yup, I'll cut my rate 50% for a piece of that, I can feel
a testosterone high, sounds practical.
Ken
| |
|
| Reply about windows and things..
The double shell with isulation inbetween sounds like a plan if they
can build one that allows for insulation to be installed inbetween. I
would like to keep the q-ness of it. No square house in a round
building stuff. I would have windows that don't fall in with q-ness.
I'd have some welding for protrusions that would house the windows at
right angles. It's would be like a catepillar with a couple legs. Also,
the roof would have some skylights and over the garage section I'd like
a rooftop garden (think roofrack on top of school bus, only on a
larger scale) Can stucco or siding be put on this building? I want it
appear earthtone so people get how efficient, pleasant, and bad XXX it
can be. Dimensions would be 25-30 feet wide, 80-100 feet back, and 20
or 30 feet high. I want 2 story equivalent living space,with
garage/open air space. I could have a outdoor party and have a school
bus parked in it. That kind of thing.
With that.. Can the interior be steel frame with drywall coverings? I
picture a few welders assembling sections for the walls and upper
floors, and moving them into place, secured to concrete. Then drywall
goes up and the rooms take shape. I picture the wife griping about
something 10 years down the road and I suggest that we simply relocate
or remove room we move some platforms around.
As far enviornmental friendliness, I'd put solar panels on if possible,
a heat pump, and some kind of rainwater revocery system or channel it
to a pond for watering stuff. I figure I'll keep the structure costs
controlled and go all out on amenities and stuff.
On Nov 25, 10:12 pm, "Ken S. Tucker" <dynam...@vianet.on.ca> wrote:
> Don wrote:
>
>
>
> he'd probably need double pane winterized ski-lights.
> IIRC the're available for corrogated steel buildings.
>
> neighbours. A woodstove/fireplace/firepit in an indoor
> garden would be kinda fitting, offset outside his front
> door, with a nice brewsky patio adjacent, year round.
> Spray paint the insulation with a lightish blue and
> a few clouds could be quite artsy and appealing.
> ((Fire code concerns drift in)).
>
> Yup, I'll cut my rate 50% for a piece of that, I can feel
> a testosterone high, sounds practical.
> Ken
| |
| Ken S. Tucker 2006-11-26, 5:25 pm |
|
J wrote:
> Reply about windows and things..
>
>
> The double shell with isulation inbetween sounds like a plan if they
> can build one that allows for insulation to be installed inbetween. I
> would like to keep the q-ness of it. No square house in a round
> building stuff.
hmmm, ok.
>I would have windows that don't fall in with q-ness.
> I'd have some welding for protrusions that would house the windows at
> right angles. It's would be like a catepillar with a couple legs. Also,
> the roof would have some skylights and over the garage section I'd like
> a rooftop garden (think roofrack on top of school bus, only on a
> larger scale) Can stucco or siding be put on this building?
Anything is possible for a small fee, what's your budget?
>I want it
> appear earthtone so people get how efficient, pleasant, and bad XXX it
> can be. Dimensions would be 25-30 feet wide, 80-100 feet back, and 20
> or 30 feet high. I want 2 story equivalent living space,with
> garage/open air space. I could have a outdoor party and have a school
> bus parked in it. That kind of thing.
>
> With that.. Can the interior be steel frame with drywall coverings? I
> picture a few welders assembling sections for the walls and upper
> floors, and moving them into place, secured to concrete. Then drywall
> goes up and the rooms take shape. I picture the wife griping about
> something 10 years down the road and I suggest that we simply relocate
> or remove room we move some platforms around.
Try to get it right the 1st time.
> As far enviornmental friendliness, I'd put solar panels on if possible,
> a heat pump, and some kind of rainwater revocery system or channel it
> to a pond for watering stuff. I figure I'll keep the structure costs
> controlled and go all out on amenities and stuff.
Better consult with the Q sales/engineers, from what I
hear you'll need a seriously experienced architect/engineer
to touch this.
Bob Morrison has weird construction experience, you'll be
lucky if chimes in.
[color=darkred]
> On Nov 25, 10:12 pm, "Ken S. Tucker" <dynam...@vianet.on.ca> wrote:
| |
| David Drum 2006-11-27, 3:25 am |
| In article <1164363577.052075.88970@j72g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, J wrote:
> I saw a steel quonset hut at a place where I was looking at a
> automobile and I was wondering if anyone ever saw one used as a
> residence.
Hi J,
Have read all posts in this thread to-date. Sounds like Q builders have
many of the same issues as Monolithic Dome builders. Might take a look
at those, too. www.monolithic.com
David
| |
|
| I saw the story about the house on the news when I lived in Florida. I
also heard about the house on NPR. It's a good build for a house, but
people can't get financing for that house because loans are judged buy
comparable homes and that guy built the only one in Florida and he paid
cash. Essentially it can't be used as a template for financing. I wish
someone would give mainline loans for those homes. It would be better
than seeing fema blue tarps all over after a hurricane hits.
-J
On Nov 26, 11:02 pm, David Drum <q...@zber.arg> wrote:
> In article <1164363577.052075.88...@j72g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, J wrote:
>
> Have read all posts in this thread to-date. Sounds like Q builders have
> many of the same issues as Monolithic Dome builders. Might take a look
> at those, too.www.monolithic.com
>
> David
|
|
|
|
|