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Regarding a cupola: I love the look but consider these factors--what do you do about lighting and how do you reach the smoke detector that is required to be way up there? Actually, the lighting can be quite dramatic, but it takes some planning and some $$.
In addition to the other comments, post and pier makes installation of the electric (and modification of the electric) ever so much easier. Given a choice, I would never build a house on a slab.
Jerry
Art and Orchids B&B
http://www.artandorchids.com
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Another advantage for Post and Pier, views... We have mtn. views in Tucson and will be looking forward to mtn. views in Hilo as well. The advantages are certainly adding up on the P&P side.
Jerry, I don't know what the lighting issues are for a cupola, some one please enlighten me on this and other issues with copulas. Any major drawbacks other than lighting?
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quote:
Originally posted by MElliott...
I don't know what the lighting issues are for a cupola, some one please enlighten me on this and other issues with copulas. Any major drawbacks other than lighting?
Soffits would enable you to have indirect lighting or can lights.
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May as well make the cupola a second floor, then you'd be able to look out of it. Dormer windows might help, it all depends on the style of the house.
On the post & pier foundation, I've seen some houses have wooden grates with screens installed in closet floors with louvered closet doors. That lets the cooler under house air go up through the closet (keeps down mildew) and then out and up to cool off the house. Having vents up near the ceiling helps let the heat out, too. Ventilate the attic space, have a white roof and the three foot roof eaves are as much for keeping sun off the sides of the house as they are for keeping the rain off.
Transitional areas going between inside and outside - such as lanais, patios, garden areas are really good to expand the living area of the house and to cool off the air before it gets inside the house. Another thought on lanais which not everyone considers is that the tax office likes to calculate value according to square footage and mostly they go by interior square footage. Having lanai areas around the house to use as living spaces will cut down on your annual tax dollars spent, too. Lately I've seen some nice covered lanais made with clear roofing. It has the effect of an open garden room except it never rains.
There is a book written by Sarah Susanka called "The Not So Big House" which would be an excellent read for you at this time while you are beginning to plan your house. Now is also a good time to plan a house which will be a joy to live in. My current client (I draw house plans) has asked for an "exhilarating" house. Finding words such as that to talk to your designer and builder with can help them help you choose the right house for you. If you have the right designer, then things such as ventilation and views will be taken care of, but it's always good to be on top of those sorts of things, too.
"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales."
Kurt Wilson
"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales."
Kurt Wilson
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quote:
Originally posted by Hotzcatz...
On the post & pier foundation, I've seen some houses have wooden grates with screens installed in closet floors with louvered closet doors. That lets the cooler under house air go up through the closet (keeps down mildew) and then out and up to cool off the house...
I second Hotcatz's opinion. There are some really nice looking floor grates that can be incorporated into the flooring. A client of mine had a number of websites that he was looking at. He decided to not use them because the angle he is situated at, with operational skylights and plenty of windows, and tech shield on the roof worked so he stopped there. But if he changes his mind, his floor system will accommodate it.
Catherine Dumond
Blue Water Project Management
http://bluewaterprojects.blogspot.com/
808 965-9261
"We help make building your dream home a reality"
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I am a Hawaii licensed architect, and the two homes I have built for myself in HPP have some things in common. A carefully site analysis involving walking the land and finding the high points and pukas (this was before the new space views available online which can help to verify overall site vegetation) and marking by hand what places I wanted the machines to come in to clear. I designed tall structures that catch the tradewinds and allow for natural internal ventilation from the "stack effect". For materials I began with ICF block as integral water tank/foundations and then did advanced hybrid building with cement, steel and various advanced and trick systems. Currently we are at the fun stages of adding art and recycled/natural materials for interior finishes and fittings. The hard work was worth it as the buildings are low maintenance, comfortable, and secure. As with others on this forum, you help yourself greatly by getting advice early in the process. Buying a few hours of time from those who have the experience is a good investment. My website is
www.jmagreenbuilding.com.
John Maloney
310.562.0362
johnmaloney3@me.com
Hawaii Architect AR8082
