Structures

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Structure Design Criteria : Constraints, States, & Goals

inter-structure siting and space utilization :

• state of

  • pre-existing farmhouse

  • pre-existing clustered barns & sheds

  • pre-existing dispersed

    • run-in shed, on concreted pad

    • pavilion

    • cave-in barn

• goal

  • additional, relatively clustered housing, including atelier workshops / studios

    • to provide a sense of community and connection

    • mostly in a circuit to close ... the circuit.

  • a balance of communal and private space

  • a de facto common house

  • a central common ground (the commons commons, middle-ground)

  • truly walkable, but low speed vehicle (<=5mph) permissible. i.e.

    • <= ~1000 ft = 5 minute end-to-end extent.

    • manageable slopes

the structures, themselves

• rationale

  • home

  • studio

  • separate, home from home, home from studio, studio from studio

• size

  • 2-6 people

  • footage ...

• materials & quality

  • natural, as best as ...

  • emf discussion

  • lights, indicator lights, etc.

• siting

  • Constraints:

    • APA Low Density, RL-3 Zoning (between the two, max required is specified)

      • Acre/Parcel : >= 3.2 ac.

      • Yard, Front : 75 ft.

      • Yard, Side : 50 ft.

      • Yard, Rear : 100 ft.

    • APA Rural Use, RR Zoning (between the two, max required is specified)

      • Acre/Parcel >= 8.5 ac.

      • Yard, Front : 100 ft.

      • Yard, Side : 100 ft.

      • Yard, Rear : 150 ft.

• homes

  • structure

    • exterior

      • porch, side / north, >= 8' depth

        • open on ends, likely

          • easy entrance

          • air-flow for northern bathroom window(s)

        • closed on north side

          • northern wind-break

          • rain-break

        • dry storage

          • dried firewood (?) -- could alternatively stack under the southern overhang, for continued drying

          • bicycles, strollers,etc.

          • 'garage' items

        • outdoor, covered workspace, when/if required

      • porch, front / east or west, >= 8' depth

        • • interior-exterior bridge, between

            • 'climates' : hot and cool; cold and warm; wet and dry.

            • cleanliness'es : dirty and less dirty :)

            • family and neighbors

          • east-facing : open to start-of-day light

          • shaded warm-season mid-day rest / eat / work spot

          • west-facing : open to end-of-day light

    • interior

      • To provide privacy to the north-adjacent parcel and to conserve cold-season heat, do not place windows on the north side, excepting the bathroom that is obscured by the north porch.

      • first floor, in order of flow

        • mudroom entry

          • 'airlock' between cold-season door openings and potential draft

          • transition zone between dirty and cleaner self

            • outdoor gear (hats, coats, shoes, gloves, etc.), for exit

            • adjacent to bathroom (sink, shower) for dirt removal

            • laundry to link the dirty to the clean.

            • all-house closet, for re-entry

          • waterproof flooring against snow and rain

          • windowed-door for drying and lighting

        • bathroom

          • heating

            • to be discussed

          • venting

            • fan to vent moisture

          • windows

            • north-side window

              • because it's nice to have natural light and airflow

              • to future-proof OSHA compliance into the engineered plans, if not the home itself.

            • potential for clerestory window lighting on the south side.

          • toilet

            • standard flush system to septic

            • exterior humanure composting toilet always an option

          • sink & vanity

            • slop-sink or otherwise capable of handling a mess

            • enough room for household toiletry demands

          • washer/dryer

            • use is entirely household dependent

            • not necessary -- and can have a larger set in the common house

            • can have just a washer but no drier, to air/hang dry the clothes

            • likely smaller european size for a compact bathroom

            • very useful for those cloth-diapering their children, with a large family, etc.

          • tub & shower : pros & cons :

            • tub

              • pro :

                • multi-functional : tub & shower

                • best for young children

                • can have quiet baths built into the home experience, not in a communal setting

              • con :

                • usually more space extensive

                • can be difficult for some to enter and exit

                • many have all of the downsides and few of the upsides, i.e. : still a poor soaking, child-bathing experience if not adequately sized.

            • shower

              • pro :

                • more compact

                • easier for some to enter and exit

              • con :

                • no home soaking experience

                • no young children soaking

            • shelf / closet space

              • for toiletries, towels, and cleaning agents

              • can be open, a shelf system; or closed, a closet; or both.

        • kitchen

          • pantry

            • 3' W x 2' D x 6' H space allotted. 2' is rather deep, so drawers might be required.

          • range top

            • decisions to make on electric (induction is relatively low-energy but the health effects are unknown) or gas (note : as a whole, New York state has a fracking ban, but liquid carbon-dioxide instead of water is now on the table; gas potentially from anaerobically digested biomass for bio-methane.)

            • venting hood above range to reduce moisture

          • fridge

            • full-size space allotted, although under-counter unit(s) could be installed.

            • wtih freezer, though chest freezer can also go on the north-side porch.

          • counter-space

            • sufficient for farm-food prep

            • room for implements

              • blender

              • toaster (or toaster-oven below counter)

              • instant-pots, crock-pot, etc.

            • island seating for the curious and connected (~2 seats)

          • shelf & drawer space

            • sufficient for 1-gallon & similarly sized bulk-goods containers

            • ready / easy access to herbs & teas

        • "dining" room

          • nook or small table seating

          • natural lighting :

            • southern : moderated by blinds/drapes if not the overhang

            • front (east or west) : connection to the commons -- 'nature' and folks

        • great room

          • enough space for

            • a piano

            • a full-width couch

            • comfy chairs

            • book/foot/coffee-tables

            • couch-end tables

            • a family desk, networked : research, communication

            • book shelving

          • wood-stove

            • 3' clearing on each side, short of a fire-proof enclosure

            • stove-piping

              • exiting on first floor, unless there is a safe way to have it exit the first, and heat the second level.

              • on non-sloped wall, close to roof peak, to limit awkward extra piping. (see 10-2-3 foot rule of stove pipes.)

              • exiting out the wall, not the roof, to reduce likelihood of water entry

        • stairs

      • second floor

        • bedroom

        • playroom

        • study

      • light

        • south

          • unobstructed in cold-season

          • southern overhang for hot season

        • east

          • 
            
        • 
          

• atelier workshops / studios

  • siting

    • 10' setback from rear and side yard border (per zoning)

    • May not be in the front yard (per zoning)

    • Corner lots have two "front" yards, limiting atelier siting to the one side and back.

    • To prevent cold-season shading, keep as far from the home as possible

    • Parallel with the house, but ~8 ft back, if of similar overall length.

      • To provide openness and community on the front of the home

      • To provide a bit of privacy on the back of the home

  • structure

    • exterior

      • lowest feasible roof to provide winter solstice sunlight to the main house; shadow @ 2.5x height.

      • double doors opening to front or back, to accommodate wide loads.

    • interior

      • small but fully functional full-bath & kitchenette for 1) first phase move-in, 2) potential multi-generational family units.

• common house

  • siting

    • central to the preponderance of homes