Nov 15

My “Some Day” House

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Storage for 16,000 book, simplicity, and oodles of natural lighting.

The house appears to be a trapezoidal shape, all open on the interior. The largest side is all windows to funnel the light in and provide a natural panorama. The siding looks like the cheap corrugated metal siding, like what you’d expect to see in a junkyard; combined with the wood, in this setting, it works. The only change I might make would be to the porch: I’d like one large enough to relax and watch a storm roll in. Photos after the jump.

Writer’s Retreat - Exterior

Writer’s Retreat - Interior

Thanks to notcot.org for bringing to my attention and Kitsune Noir for getting it out on the web.

written by Kyle

  • Katie
    Holy Cow! Doug would LOVE that library!!
  • GPA
    I like the look but ... what about energy efficiency? It looks like a ecologic nightmare. Insulation in ceiling/walls? Exterior siding offer little in insulation. Stilts open up the bottom of the house, dramatically increasing the exposed square footage that would have to be either super-insulated or use much energy to heat/cool. High ceilings are also generally inefficient. The slatted windows are very Hawaii so perhaps this is meant for a climate where there is little need for air conditioning or heat. Living space / sq ft ratio is very low (bc of high ceilings, no 2nd story or loft?) so again, very inefficient.
  • As you noted, energy efficiency is tied to geography; based on the vegetation in the first picture, this house looks like it's in a tropical climate.

    Calvin and I had a discussion about what it would take to get this house Michigan ready. I'd probably add in a second story loft (which this design may have, hard to tell) and bury the whole thing in a sand dune.

    The large windows would be inefficient, but hopefully that would be offset by having the other five sides buried. Not sure if burying it in a sand dune would be practically or ecologically feasible, but it's fun to imagine :-)
  • GPA
    I agree with all you say - I missed the tree clues. Makes more sense as a Hawaiian house. Your mods make it more like my current dream. We were doing a little 2 track adventure (scaring your Aunt Judy to death) in NC last fall. Picture parallel to a mountainside. Steep dropoff on the right; on the left a fence w/ occasional signs "Smokey Mtn Natl Pk". I could see in that setting a home built into the mountain side with all sides underground (incl roof) except the front wall - which would be all glass overlooking the valley and mountains on the other side. I picture rubberized concrete walls (like ours) for sound deadening, strength and even more insulation. The (triple pane) glass, on the right site would be super for passive solar. I think this would work on a dune setting as well. I'd want numerous light domes (like in the guest bath) to bring light into other areas of the home. Too bad you don't have an architect/builder dad! Maybe in my next life. Oh - and as long as we are dreaming the front wall/glass would be of the sort Lilly had in their Cray supercomputer show!
  • That's one hell of a style, it looks like anyone can easily build it.. but its very stylish indeed.
  • lisa
    Hi,

    I was perusing the web for pics of steel siding and came across this pic in your blog. Super cool! Especially the books. hahah! Most folks say if they won lotto they'd buy many cars, fourteen bedroom homes, etc. I'd want a library. haha!
  • Ira Wisudha
    This is one coooooolll house. well done :-)
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