Thursday 5 January 2011
Absolutely tipping down, and set in until midnight tomorrow, with force 9 winds forecast. So Dave wasn't boatyarding, and we went to Lefkas, as Dieter had rung to say he had the panels. First, though, we called on Constantine to discuss the floor plans and foundations.
There are lots of questions hustling around our inexperienced brains about this process, and we're trying to learn as much as we can, and remember everything we've read. We have to live with the decisions that are being made now, so we want a healthy input if we can.
We've been trying to marry a 30cm regulation-width concrete ring beam with a 60cm cob wall, which also needs a masonry stem wall. Also, how will the wood and the cob react in an earthquake? Okay, the wood is designed to stop the roof falling on our heads (v. important) but will the cob and the wood shake themselves apart by moving differently? So we took our questions to Constantine, and he was due to have a meeting with the structural engineer so it was all very timely - no answers, but at least the questions are being asked.
As a result of all this focus, I found myself looking again at the proposed floor plans, and seeing where the problem lies. I'd always been a bit worried that the south facing living space was too long - there was a middle area between the conversation pit and the eating area that I couldn't think what to do with. (See 'Floor Plans' 29 Aug 2010) Then the epiphany! I realised we didn't need it at all. If the pit and the dining area are moved together, the front of the house is shortened and the out-on-a-limb entry/porch can come under the main roof, like this:
The main roof area stays the same, but the separate entry walls and roof disappear - a potentially significant saving in time, effort and money. I'd already made a minor internal change to create a music alcove by shrinking the pantry, and taking the kitchen round the corner. It all feels more compact and cosy now. Hope Constantine won't be too annoyed.
While working on this in the shed, I find myself under surveillance - the cats know this is where we keep the cat food, and watch my every move.
Absolutely tipping down, and set in until midnight tomorrow, with force 9 winds forecast. So Dave wasn't boatyarding, and we went to Lefkas, as Dieter had rung to say he had the panels. First, though, we called on Constantine to discuss the floor plans and foundations.
There are lots of questions hustling around our inexperienced brains about this process, and we're trying to learn as much as we can, and remember everything we've read. We have to live with the decisions that are being made now, so we want a healthy input if we can.
We've been trying to marry a 30cm regulation-width concrete ring beam with a 60cm cob wall, which also needs a masonry stem wall. Also, how will the wood and the cob react in an earthquake? Okay, the wood is designed to stop the roof falling on our heads (v. important) but will the cob and the wood shake themselves apart by moving differently? So we took our questions to Constantine, and he was due to have a meeting with the structural engineer so it was all very timely - no answers, but at least the questions are being asked.
As a result of all this focus, I found myself looking again at the proposed floor plans, and seeing where the problem lies. I'd always been a bit worried that the south facing living space was too long - there was a middle area between the conversation pit and the eating area that I couldn't think what to do with. (See 'Floor Plans' 29 Aug 2010) Then the epiphany! I realised we didn't need it at all. If the pit and the dining area are moved together, the front of the house is shortened and the out-on-a-limb entry/porch can come under the main roof, like this:
The main roof area stays the same, but the separate entry walls and roof disappear - a potentially significant saving in time, effort and money. I'd already made a minor internal change to create a music alcove by shrinking the pantry, and taking the kitchen round the corner. It all feels more compact and cosy now. Hope Constantine won't be too annoyed.
While working on this in the shed, I find myself under surveillance - the cats know this is where we keep the cat food, and watch my every move.
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