Comments on LamiDesign Modern House Plan Blog: New Mexico EcoSteel House - house slab, observator...

I think the HVAC will probably be handled with a m...

2007-07-26T18:48:00.000-04:00

I think the HVAC will probably be handled with a mini-split system. The compressor is outside and is not attached to the building. The indoor fan cabinet is very quiet and has minimal vibration.

The HVAC compressor and ducting might be the worst...

2007-07-26T18:33:00.000-04:00

The HVAC compressor and ducting might be the worst vibration sources.

I've always wanted to get one of those old stainless or aluminum silo caps and convert it into an observatory. Thanks for posting this where everybody can see it!

That may very well be in a Mill where you have thi...

2007-07-26T14:35:00.000-04:00

That may very well be in a Mill where you have things in the building making constant vibrations. The concern here is more transient. I'm not sure if the foundation design will have the instrument pier go deeper. We typically don't design the foundations, and what you see in the section drawing here is only schematic.

Doesn't the foundation for the telescope mount nee...

2007-07-26T14:17:00.000-04:00

Doesn't the foundation for the telescope mount need to be slightly shallower or (preferably) deeper than the equipment building foundations in order to provide maximum vibration isolation?

I'm not an architect, but I have some knowledge of old mills (I live in one). The double-foundation system used to isolate vibration in water-powered grist mills usually involves two noticeably separate depths... such buildings were primarily built based on a purely empirical approach, nobody cared much about the "why" but they were extremely interested in "how to".

Maybe it doesn't matter in New Mexico, where the ground is presumably pretty dry.