04-16-2009, 04:19 AM
So, certain house designs generate a real following. One would hope that technical merit would figure prominently in the design process but other things sometimes take over. I suspect this is true for earthships. They have a lot of features that are excellent for deserts with wide temperature fluctuations and where there is dirt in abundance for construction. Same with adobe, strawbale, and cob. I think these construction techniques are unsuited for our wet rocky environment.
Why do I mention them all? Because I have seen others mention them and I have considered them myself, and it is clear that the attraction does not always stem from how technically well suited they are for this environment, but rather from the association they have with alternative (and therefor better?) construction techniques. I myself was considering converting a steel arch building into something habitable until I realized that I was just trying to be different and was going to wind up paying handsomely for the privilege, while getting a house every potential buyer would think was weird.
So what are the unique environmental characteristics of Puna that would determine the design? First, rain. I think that massive roof overhangs would be a must. A wrap-around lanai would be good. I see lots of mainland-style house designs that have very minimal overhangs and rely on good shingle or siding systems to keep water from penetrating the walls. 200 years ago there were only slate, wood, or terra cotta shingles. Hundreds and hundreds for each roof. It probably made no difference in terms of labor or materials whether you put them on the roof or the walls. Today you can buy 20' x 3' sheets of corrugated roofing. I say put a big roof on and never let the rain get to the walls. Then reap the benefit of the large overhangs to keep the sun out while allowing good views. This would be a variation of a rain screen or rain shadow type of design.
How to deal with temperature? That is not going to be much of a problem in Hawaii unless you are in Volcano maybe, and even then is is nothing compared to the high desert of our western states. I think thermal mass is always good, plus a little insulation in the roof.
Rot. Avoid wood if possible. Keep whatever wood is used as far away from the ground as possible. Keep the roof design as simple as possible to avoid leaks.
Termites. Same as for rot. Termites like water so moist wood is at risk from both rot and termites.
Mosquitoes. Not a huge problem in Hawaii, but if you are designing from the ground up, what features would be good? In some parts of the world houses are built on stilts. Apparently mosquitoes tend to hang within 10 feet of the ground or so. If the design permits it, keep living spaces as high as possible.
Ventilation. Again, build high to catch the breezes. Many typical Hawaii houses already incorporate this feature. Also, temperature fluctuations tend to be less the higher you go.
So, a good design seems like it would be a two-story design with a large wrap-around lanai, possibly screened in, made of concrete or some concrete based product. Concrete doesn't rot, is not palatable to termites, and adds thermal mass. A hip roof and the lanai would protect the walls from rain. The lanai would add much living space that would be infinitely well ventilated.
Why do I mention them all? Because I have seen others mention them and I have considered them myself, and it is clear that the attraction does not always stem from how technically well suited they are for this environment, but rather from the association they have with alternative (and therefor better?) construction techniques. I myself was considering converting a steel arch building into something habitable until I realized that I was just trying to be different and was going to wind up paying handsomely for the privilege, while getting a house every potential buyer would think was weird.
So what are the unique environmental characteristics of Puna that would determine the design? First, rain. I think that massive roof overhangs would be a must. A wrap-around lanai would be good. I see lots of mainland-style house designs that have very minimal overhangs and rely on good shingle or siding systems to keep water from penetrating the walls. 200 years ago there were only slate, wood, or terra cotta shingles. Hundreds and hundreds for each roof. It probably made no difference in terms of labor or materials whether you put them on the roof or the walls. Today you can buy 20' x 3' sheets of corrugated roofing. I say put a big roof on and never let the rain get to the walls. Then reap the benefit of the large overhangs to keep the sun out while allowing good views. This would be a variation of a rain screen or rain shadow type of design.
How to deal with temperature? That is not going to be much of a problem in Hawaii unless you are in Volcano maybe, and even then is is nothing compared to the high desert of our western states. I think thermal mass is always good, plus a little insulation in the roof.
Rot. Avoid wood if possible. Keep whatever wood is used as far away from the ground as possible. Keep the roof design as simple as possible to avoid leaks.
Termites. Same as for rot. Termites like water so moist wood is at risk from both rot and termites.
Mosquitoes. Not a huge problem in Hawaii, but if you are designing from the ground up, what features would be good? In some parts of the world houses are built on stilts. Apparently mosquitoes tend to hang within 10 feet of the ground or so. If the design permits it, keep living spaces as high as possible.
Ventilation. Again, build high to catch the breezes. Many typical Hawaii houses already incorporate this feature. Also, temperature fluctuations tend to be less the higher you go.
So, a good design seems like it would be a two-story design with a large wrap-around lanai, possibly screened in, made of concrete or some concrete based product. Concrete doesn't rot, is not palatable to termites, and adds thermal mass. A hip roof and the lanai would protect the walls from rain. The lanai would add much living space that would be infinitely well ventilated.