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Multi faceted homes - Cmb - 02-09-2014
Anyone have any thoughts , positive or negative , on Multi faceted homes ( Puna ) ?
We looked at their model home in HPP and were pretty impressed . However, since we don't live there yet we are wanting to know the experiences of others and gather information .
We would appreciate all feedback .
Thanks so much , Chris
RE: Multi faceted homes - Seeb - 02-09-2014
Shapes cost more per sqf than square
RE: Multi faceted homes - d96778 - 02-09-2014
We started out with a Hale'20 with 274 sq.ft. Configured as a studio. We just finished a major addition, adding 720 more sq.ft., utiizing standard square corners. Turned the Hale into master suite. It works just fine as a bedroom, bath combination, but I would never, never want to live in that configuration as the entire dwelling again. Much too limiting as far as furniture placement, storage, layout for kitchen cabinets, etc.etc.etc.
The finished walls inside are about 7'2" long ea. side.
One of the features I do like, though, is the cedar & redwood construction. Much more bug resistant. But if it is finished natural, it tends to be too dark for me personally. So we painted (Gasp!) the ceiling white, & it lifted the whole ceiling up & was much less oppressive.
It isn't my intention to negate your interest in the structure, but simply to let you know our experience.
If you have any more questions, email me thru this site.
Dee
RE: Multi faceted homes - David M - 02-09-2014
Very impressed when I toured the models. Do ask about maintenance, it was more than I wanted in retirement. YMMV.
David
Ninole Resident
Please visit vacation.ninolehawaii.com
RE: Multi faceted homes - bgiles - 02-10-2014
Chris, we have a dodecagon house, and have stayed in several as vacation rentals over the years. First, I would have to say that there are many factors that would contribute to your appreciation of this type of house--or not. We love ours because the cupola funnels trade winds up and out. This would NOT be a plus in Volcano. Forget heating your "open concept" living room on a cold winter's night, say 58 degrees, up the hill in Fern Acres or Eden Roc...
Not all these homes are built by Multifaceted Homes. Some are stick built by owners or other contractors. We have a two bed, two bath. Single wall. If I had built it, I would have made it just slightly larger to accommodate closet space/sound and thermal insulation between the "outboard" bedrooms and the Living room/kitchen.
Building on a slab makes sense--in Washington State. Not on the Big Island (Maybe Volcano?)The breezes caught when the house is built up high negate the need for central air, which is very $$$$. Also, the space below can be used to dry clothing on a line even in wet weather or used as a garage...
I think the aesthetics are incredible. The design is strong, and if built right would shed wind loads that might damage other designs. That being said, fitting furniture into the design is difficult, if the house is small...
For the most bang for your buck, you could build a square structure (Seeb is right) post and pier, wrap around or semi-wrap around lanais for a little less. (Also see the thread on post and pier.) We enjoy easier maintenance as all the plumbing below is exposed, all the electric wiring likewise and the cable connections too. Adding to these systems or maintenance is a piece of cake.
Our outside walls (the 'facets', if you will) are 13'. Stairs are a personal thing. I'm older, 66, but the exercise is good. Delivery of a piano...not so much. You should stay in one of these structures first and see how it fits you. Check out VRBO; we rented Swearingen's, he has two of these, both different sizes, and built them himself.
When you're in the blank piece of paper stage you can incorporate ANYTHING: consider a MFH "Hale" built on TOP of your catchment (see thread on this) Or a separate, "pod" bedroom connected to a more conventional structure. Your property will suggest your structure, and/or your structure will suggest your property. Aloha!
bamboo2u
RE: Multi faceted homes - bgiles - 02-10-2014
Chris, here is the link to the shotcrete-style catchment systems. I haven't dealt with them directly but I love the idea:
http://pacificgunite.com/index.html
Also there was a recent thread that mentioned construction with Apex blocks you might like...love wood, hate termites....
bamboo2u
RE: Multi faceted homes - Seeb - 02-10-2014
if it wasn't for the price, I always wanted to try building a toroid ring ( half a bagel laying flat ) house
RE: Multi faceted homes - Arctic Fox - 02-10-2014
don't do it!
we live in a geodesic dome and nothing fits, your furniture, your friends.
1472Sq ft. and we are no better off than a 1200 sq. ft. conventional home.
3 facets to the wall in the bedroom, bathroom is a botched experiment, TONS of wasted space in the dome.
different and an experience we would not trade.
we would never sped a dollar of hard earned deniro on a living space such as this.
personal opinion.
living in a dome.
RE: Multi faceted homes - KeaauRich - 02-10-2014
We planned to build a multifaceted-type round house years ago until we actually visited one. We loved how open an spacious they looked in the brochures, but when we saw one in real ife, we ralized they look spacious because they are usually staged to be way under-furnished. You never see a bedroom pictured on websites or brochures because anything other than a twin bed takes up an inordinate amount of floor space in a pie slice-shaped room, leaving little space for a bureau, nightstands or even room to walk around the bed. The living areas are always pictured with one big sofa, and the dining rooms have small tables because any other arrangement looks cramped (the fact that the walls curve inward forces you to move furniture towards the center of the structure). Look at the wedge -shaped kitchen layouts and imagine actually working in that space -- opening oven doors, cabinets, refrigerators, etc.
Before you commit to building a mufti-facet house, print out its floor plan and then draw in your furniture at scale to see how it fits. Doing that, we found that in most cases we couldn't fit enough furniture in to meet our needs (despite the large footprint of the structure), and we also found that every piece of furniture would only fit in one spot (it's like living in a tetris game).
RE: Multi faceted homes - Cmb - 02-11-2014
Great idea on drawing in furniture Keaaurich , we will do that ....
And look closer at wasted space Arctic fox .
You're all making great points , thanks .