tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383631892024-03-13T13:28:28.787-04:00Modern House Plans by Gregory La Vardera Architectlavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.comBlogger808125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-16049397748840560802022-06-20T16:09:00.005-04:002022-06-20T16:11:41.510-04:00USA New Wall – example of Better wall system<div><b><br /></b></div><b>Home Owners concerned with energy performance are few and far between in the mild climate of my local market. But a local project for a Youth Centre prrovided good cause to persue long term energy performance and reduced operating expenses, so that funds from the non-profit operator could go to the children's programs and not the utility.</b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHbjrFBHqet6mwh9mkyhjpqpvrEEELnSXTyd-ZLukhpaNONuuHPxqMWWo64Mu6iWlBYpCAU76oY69cvALwOysuG-BOuH92JPO8JBWKfYQjQqc2G1NrOXFtzOaoUeWY27qE9YVUOt5siz4xm6MS7c1Hi41nxuPbIz1d9lm91PQkoaEOc3SPw/s4032/interior%20furring%20overview.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHbjrFBHqet6mwh9mkyhjpqpvrEEELnSXTyd-ZLukhpaNONuuHPxqMWWo64Mu6iWlBYpCAU76oY69cvALwOysuG-BOuH92JPO8JBWKfYQjQqc2G1NrOXFtzOaoUeWY27qE9YVUOt5siz4xm6MS7c1Hi41nxuPbIz1d9lm91PQkoaEOc3SPw/w640-h360/interior%20furring%20overview.jpg" width="640" /></a>Here you see the main wall stud cavity insulated, variable perm vapor control sheet in place, and horizontal furring for the utility cavity in place.<br /><span><a name='more'></a></span><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span>Unfortunately on this job we were not able to source the mineral wool insulation that is my preference due to pandemic related material shortages. We sufficed with partial recycled fiberglass batts by Knauf. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0c6l01fvu0ynF1rfe8-JcfWJFwGcAalffHws2i6--tdf1uOaOUs7LvIw5nW3Jo0Jvdvhakq_97hX0LwVFdN2x5lFprq7-XS_eyqk1mpN6sHkFVVBTY6rKBWZkJXg3BTDT40fOVefFAG3Ya7pMl6NFx45dufasiQNHmtha0MfDX_LfmdzZ0A/s4032/4x4boxes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0c6l01fvu0ynF1rfe8-JcfWJFwGcAalffHws2i6--tdf1uOaOUs7LvIw5nW3Jo0Jvdvhakq_97hX0LwVFdN2x5lFprq7-XS_eyqk1mpN6sHkFVVBTY6rKBWZkJXg3BTDT40fOVefFAG3Ya7pMl6NFx45dufasiQNHmtha0MfDX_LfmdzZ0A/w640-h360/4x4boxes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span>As discussed in past posts, electrical boxes are 4x4x1.5 with reducer covers to fit conventional electrical devices and finish plates. In this case the builder's preference was metal boxes and armored wire due to the institutional nature of the project use, but as you can see there are analogous boxes and reducers in metal as well. Communications and Data low voltage wiring is run similarly in the utility cavity. Certainteed MemBrain variable permeability vapor control sheet seen here is the vapor control layer, and provides the primary air-tightness element in the wall.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RdILW95tjR061DR8IakLnfuAOhjQlz2gBsZe4SQDbsB_3U3eocAEbA9HNTRfUao34BsNvWyrBZLKUnmofEq0uCDWe1RWZl6wHSjcs7DsmvXOUJgVZ_HFKBN8Do59GhHJh-tJuERKz3WTSfhcqGKpwr8s4JWa1UifisSsLW7evmiu_ije5w/s4032/wirechase%20insulated.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RdILW95tjR061DR8IakLnfuAOhjQlz2gBsZe4SQDbsB_3U3eocAEbA9HNTRfUao34BsNvWyrBZLKUnmofEq0uCDWe1RWZl6wHSjcs7DsmvXOUJgVZ_HFKBN8Do59GhHJh-tJuERKz3WTSfhcqGKpwr8s4JWa1UifisSsLW7evmiu_ije5w/w640-h360/wirechase%20insulated.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once the utility cavity is insulated following electrical rough-in the exterior walls are ready for drywall. Again lacking availability of mineral wool corresponding fiberglass batts were source, in this instance I believe it was Owens Corning acoustical batts in the 1.5"thickness.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScBszKidk2KuWisYeblxe-Uj1go1GlfjlkVbUYwURNlbxAQF8vrj4S4g-D4movpha1Hf3WpuYB9MGLqX97o2EJVOvbYcRT9ka-lTMI5LgWEft8Qk4dKNAR55afQzdQ_GG1ubYjovF78JQP9l3-W3y1FBBRzaWgiErGCOSx8NH-aYOnIGAdg/s2984/4x4boxes%20insulated.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1449" data-original-width="2984" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScBszKidk2KuWisYeblxe-Uj1go1GlfjlkVbUYwURNlbxAQF8vrj4S4g-D4movpha1Hf3WpuYB9MGLqX97o2EJVOvbYcRT9ka-lTMI5LgWEft8Qk4dKNAR55afQzdQ_GG1ubYjovF78JQP9l3-W3y1FBBRzaWgiErGCOSx8NH-aYOnIGAdg/w640-h310/4x4boxes%20insulated.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Once drywalled, the electrical boxes will be indistinguishable from ordinary wall assemblies. Some early coordination with the Electrician and Inspector made inspections go smoothly, and gave the Electrician a clear understanding of the mission here. There were minimal penetrations through the vapor control sheet, allowing it to form the primary air tight element of the wall system. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I hope this graphic documentation of a large scale installation is helpful for understanding real world applications of the USA New Wall assemblies. I'm always eager to see your applications of this in your work and would be happy to share them here. <br /><span><br /></span></div>
lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-77163177259646810962021-11-20T00:17:00.001-05:002022-06-20T16:12:18.738-04:00Revisit –– new photos of North Carolina Tray House<div><br /></div><b>The <a href="http://www.lamidesign.com/plans/planscat/0385/0385pg.html" target="_blank">Tray House</a> built in North Carolina recently came on the market, and so many recent photos of the house were posted. I have re-posted several of them to the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lamidesign/albums/72157622102207524" target="_blank">Flikr gallery</a> of this house.
</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XTfkFM_aLnU/YZiD-ISGVeI/AAAAAAAAFis/qFWap4o3n9QsGkowCjf9p1Do1DMHRxHvwCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/NC%2BTray%2BHouse%2Bphotos%2B21.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XTfkFM_aLnU/YZiD-ISGVeI/AAAAAAAAFis/qFWap4o3n9QsGkowCjf9p1Do1DMHRxHvwCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/NC%2BTray%2BHouse%2Bphotos%2B21.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
While the owners finished the house with a distinct craftsman feel, the dynamic character of the spaces still shine through. Make sure to click over to <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lamidesign/albums/72157622102207524" target="_blank">Flickr</a> and look at the rest of the photos, especially if you are interested in this house you will enjoy seeing a lived in version of the house.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d244K6pXiqQ/YZiEfwl6b-I/AAAAAAAAFi4/t35viBUPEOwDvGdqGZh26Z4qdwwe7VLRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/NC%2BTray%2BHouse%2Bphotos%2B19.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d244K6pXiqQ/YZiEfwl6b-I/AAAAAAAAFi4/t35viBUPEOwDvGdqGZh26Z4qdwwe7VLRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/NC%2BTray%2BHouse%2Bphotos%2B19.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-53424410547109299482019-07-12T00:07:00.000-04:002020-07-21T14:28:42.829-04:00Michigan XHouse2 construction this past winter<b>The Michigan XHouse2 previously published here has moved along to near completion. The Owner shared a snapshot this past spring, and I wanted to share that forward here.</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dH6LaEr7XtY/XSgHCugTLAI/AAAAAAAAFKE/i6lQBZW3_8Aod28lXOCsy-HCxD68SQXZQCLcBGAs/s1600/mixhouse2_01may19_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dH6LaEr7XtY/XSgHCugTLAI/AAAAAAAAFKE/i6lQBZW3_8Aod28lXOCsy-HCxD68SQXZQCLcBGAs/s640/mixhouse2_01may19_0.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As always more photos of this house build are posted in its <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lamidesign/albums/72157700380353714/with/47776787951/" target="_blank">photo gallery</a>.</div>
<br />lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-53847478641448125712019-07-11T23:50:00.000-04:002019-07-11T23:50:23.626-04:00Ohio Plat House - new photos from Owner<b>Last summer we showed some surprise photos of a nearly complete 0242 Plat House built by a customer in Ohio. This summer we got more photos of the interior of the completed house, and its a sweet one.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MOaPddeGrBg/XSgCuCBMNmI/AAAAAAAAFJ4/MWzsS6zoyAkgF3dAxubWwynJkzBnhpMgwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190429_200900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MOaPddeGrBg/XSgCuCBMNmI/AAAAAAAAFJ4/MWzsS6zoyAkgF3dAxubWwynJkzBnhpMgwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20190429_200900.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We've posted a whole bunch of these photos to this projects <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lamidesign/albums/72157695494311230" target="_blank">photo gallery</a>. Go check it out.lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-38608515083841485192018-09-18T00:32:00.001-04:002018-09-18T00:32:28.792-04:00Surprise! A new Plat House fully formed!<b>Most of the time when we send out House Plans to customers it is like sending a message out into the void, never to be heard from again. But every so often one of those houses bounces back, and appears one day, fully formed in the flesh, both surprising and delighting us! This week was one such time.</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6er0zv2uNmM/W6B-_ZP3x9I/AAAAAAAAE2U/dl1s6MVzJHE-N8HFHGvnIEyGXeE4Ix_BwCLcBGAs/s1600/ohplatextdone02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="915" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6er0zv2uNmM/W6B-_ZP3x9I/AAAAAAAAE2U/dl1s6MVzJHE-N8HFHGvnIEyGXeE4Ix_BwCLcBGAs/s640/ohplatextdone02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Roughly two years ago we posted that we were working on a Plat House 3 modification, and gave a preview of the modified house elevations showing the appearance of the attached garage. The Construction Prints were completed and delivered to the Owners a few weeks later, and we moved on to other deadlines and projects. Last week it occurred to me that I had not checked in with them in a long time and sent off an email to see if they had started building. What I got back was a series of photos of the nearly fully complete house - amazing!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RpV4uodHa8s/W6B-o9HefhI/AAAAAAAAE2M/jg7AB_Y5WZYxmHfMD5sHPM0tFfaJh1jGACLcBGAs/s1600/ohplatextdone01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RpV4uodHa8s/W6B-o9HefhI/AAAAAAAAE2M/jg7AB_Y5WZYxmHfMD5sHPM0tFfaJh1jGACLcBGAs/s640/ohplatextdone01.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The finishing touches are still going in on the interior - kitchen and bathroom cabinets and bathroom fittings are still going in. But otherwise the new Plat House is remarkably complete. The setting is a beautiful meadow overlooking a small stream, including a series of ledge waterfalls. Its really an ideal setting for the Plat House.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bi3GWwBV9xU/W6B_M_NuveI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/gQtA6xpiFxYVXo_1xqnayrStdxurchBbACLcBGAs/s1600/ohplatframing01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bi3GWwBV9xU/W6B_M_NuveI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/gQtA6xpiFxYVXo_1xqnayrStdxurchBbACLcBGAs/s640/ohplatframing01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We have put a <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lamidesign/albums/72157695494311230" target="_blank">full photo album</a> in our Flickr gallery, and we will share any more photos we receive.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XX8YqNjkMRY/W6B_e65IYEI/AAAAAAAAE2k/89dc13Z9o_I6yF62qrZViuMJpGxo6lfmgCLcBGAs/s1600/ohplatframing03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XX8YqNjkMRY/W6B_e65IYEI/AAAAAAAAE2k/89dc13Z9o_I6yF62qrZViuMJpGxo6lfmgCLcBGAs/s640/ohplatframing03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-25628808089172884502018-08-28T00:39:00.000-04:002018-09-13T17:16:49.017-04:00New Customer Build: Michigan XHouse2<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am super thrilled to be able to introduce a new customer project that we are going to track on the blog. There has been a drought of customer builds and I hope this one inspires some others to correspond about their builds. Ok, lets go over some of the interesting features of this build.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QyBR83vl4lo/W4TRju0hY5I/AAAAAAAAE0c/aKC-1ZyjYecW6CuadwxfaOv5vcg4sol6wCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-08-28%2Bat%2B12.36.48%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="1176" height="322" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QyBR83vl4lo/W4TRju0hY5I/AAAAAAAAE0c/aKC-1ZyjYecW6CuadwxfaOv5vcg4sol6wCLcBGAs/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-08-28%2Bat%2B12.36.48%2BAM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The first thing is that this build is a First Build of the <a href="http://www.lamidesign.com/plans/planscat/0965/0965pg.html" target="_blank">0956 XHouse2</a>, or at least the first build of the house from the Stock Plan set created of this house design since it was first built in all steel as the <a href="http://blog.lamidesign.com/2010/04/3030-house-done.html" target="_blank">3030 House</a>. I’m always excited about First Build projects because its great to see a design realized in real space and time!</span></div>
<div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzEdnVLtjUI/W4TOmeqG5CI/AAAAAAAAE0Q/UG6T_uaAnVsIM6U09HdPU2eYqaVNUxK7wCLcBGAs/s1600/mixhouse2_24Aug18_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzEdnVLtjUI/W4TOmeqG5CI/AAAAAAAAE0Q/UG6T_uaAnVsIM6U09HdPU2eYqaVNUxK7wCLcBGAs/s640/mixhouse2_24Aug18_0.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Second is that this customer and I went through a plan modification process that was part about features, and part about tech. Feature wise the house is going to be built with a third deck level - a roof deck above the second floor deck, and we’ve added a spiral staircase to serve the top level, and connect the first and second levels as well. The building site enjoys a water view of one of the Great Lakes in this coastal Michigan town. Technology wise the plans have been updated for SIPs construction. We’ve had customers build with SIPs from our plans before, but this is the first time we’ve modified plans for this purpose.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Third is that the house build will be utilizing an innovative pre-cast concrete foundation wall known by the brand name Superior Walls. If you think you’ve seen that here before, you have. Our <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lamidesign/5909525938/in/album-72157627006335253/" target="_blank">West Chester LEED House</a> build also used this foundation system. And our <a href="http://blog.lamidesign.com/2014/06/pa-plat-house-new-plat-house-build.html" target="_blank">Plat House customer in Pennsylvania</a> also used this foundation system. It’s fast, and it results in a basement wall that is easier to insulate well than a conventional basement wall. The first construction photos below are of that foundation already in place. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So stay tuned for a new build! Check out all the recent photos in the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lamidesign/sets/72157700380353714/" target="_blank">Flickr album</a>. And check out the <a href="http://www.lamidesign.com/plans/planscat/0965/0965pg.html" target="_blank">XHouse2</a> in our catalog.</span></div>
lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-72092013452142829902018-05-27T11:35:00.001-04:002022-04-07T15:13:43.821-04:00USA New Wall - The never ending question of electrical boxes<b>Now that thousands of people have learned about the USA New Wall model for easy to build high performance wall assemblies the single most common question is how do you put electrical boxes in the utility cavity? It could not be easier.</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CeZwzlhaOMY/WwrN-Dy4BjI/AAAAAAAAEwc/niRbdCDc5H0wRMb04FGbd-NDOwdkyI9FACLcBGAs/s1600/elecboxinUSANewWall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CeZwzlhaOMY/WwrN-Dy4BjI/AAAAAAAAEwc/niRbdCDc5H0wRMb04FGbd-NDOwdkyI9FACLcBGAs/s1600/elecboxinUSANewWall.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Here is the explanation one more time:<br />
<br />
In the 1.5" wiring chase you use 4x4x1.5" square boxes. These actually have a few more cubic inches inside than a regular switch box. Then you use a reducer cover to take it down to a normal switch plate - the reducer has a 1/2" or 5/8” extension that reaches through the drywall.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
like this:<br />
<a href="https://www.homedepot.com/p/Carlon-2-Gang-20-cu-in-ENT-Switch-and-Outlet-Box-A521DE-CARR/100113827?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-202217117-_-100113827-_-N" target="_blank">4x4 box example</a><br />
<a href="http://www.cesco.com/b2c/product/Union-4S-812C-Square-Outlet-Box/270986" target="_blank">4x4 box another</a><br />
You can screw the box through the back in to the studs, or attach via top or bottom into the horizontal furring. So you actually have many more location options.<br />
<br />
and this is the reducer cover:<br />
<a href="https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-Gang-ENT-Box-Cover-A410R-CAR/202077390" target="_blank">reducer cover example</a><br />
<a href="https://www.cesco.com/Cantex-EZ03SXA-Cantex-EZ03SXA-EZ-Box-reg--Raised-1-Gang-Square-Cover--PVC--1-2-Inch-Depth/p1932193" target="_blank">reducer cover another</a><br />
also comes in 5/8” & 3/4” if you have tile or paneling.<br />
<br />
and double gang for two devices in one box:<br />
<a href="https://www.homedepot.com/p/2-Gang-ENT-Box-Extender-A420RR/100404090" target="_blank">double gang box cover</a><br />
<br />
Hope that is clear. This is straight forward - you can find these parts on the shelf in Home Depot.<br />
<br />
As far as having only 1.5” of cover over the wire - this is code minimum and its acceptable. Consider a 2x4 stud with a 1/2” hole in the middle to pass a wire. That stud offers 1.5” of wood cover for the wire. So with this wiring chase with 1.5” furring the wood cover is identical to working with a 2x4 stud wall. This only applies where the wire passes behind the horizontal furring - because this is the place where fasteners will go to attach the drywall. Between the furring strips this does not apply. To run horiontal you simply tack the wire to the face of your studs through the vapor sheet. Note, this is faster and easier than fishing every wire run through a hole in the studs. Don't let an electrician argue that its harder, because it is not.lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-86720735614399328882017-09-13T23:39:00.000-04:002017-09-13T23:41:31.105-04:00Wonderful photos of the Vermont Plat HouseA treasure trove of beautiful photos of the Vermont Plat House have been posted to the Owners’ Real Estate Agent’s web site. Yes, the house is on the market, and our designs have been around now long enough that the first houses are beginning to change hands.<br />
<br />
But the bright side of this is that it is wonderful to see the house so nicely furnished, so comfortably lived in, and fullfilling that dream of a modern life we can all identify with. Here are a couple of choice photos from the Gallery, but you will find many more on the <a href="https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/4467-Richville-Rd_Shoreham_VT_05770_M45194-43390" target="_blank">realtor’s site</a>. There is also a Virtual Reality walk through, which is a series of 360 degree images that you can spin around to look at, each “hot linked” to adjacent view points. Its the closest you can come to a walk-thru without being there.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j7iQHwAT2o0/Wbn2SPxVc7I/AAAAAAAAEhM/-8Sgfa1k0aciCUVkFBgyP3E-b3zyPWh4ACLcBGAs/s1600/VTPlatHouse00039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="1020" height="476" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j7iQHwAT2o0/Wbn2SPxVc7I/AAAAAAAAEhM/-8Sgfa1k0aciCUVkFBgyP3E-b3zyPWh4ACLcBGAs/s640/VTPlatHouse00039.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drone view of the Vermont Plat House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B45h7ttIJdc/Wbn2rEn0hQI/AAAAAAAAEhQ/L9yOrM9fHH8odz7PELxCLMjdYyBw1DdwgCLcBGAs/s1600/VTPlatHouse00027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1020" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B45h7ttIJdc/Wbn2rEn0hQI/AAAAAAAAEhQ/L9yOrM9fHH8odz7PELxCLMjdYyBw1DdwgCLcBGAs/s640/VTPlatHouse00027.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tJz0_Vx_DyY/Wbn28pQOTrI/AAAAAAAAEhU/GAOvelkOlVkpZgP-pdnGwezcltOu5mZEgCLcBGAs/s1600/VTPlatHouse00025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1020" height="482" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tJz0_Vx_DyY/Wbn28pQOTrI/AAAAAAAAEhU/GAOvelkOlVkpZgP-pdnGwezcltOu5mZEgCLcBGAs/s640/VTPlatHouse00025.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IXxA57Yb7f0/Wbn3O71RNJI/AAAAAAAAEhY/V0JexhSK6GozfubMH9le4brfovl4e-s7wCLcBGAs/s1600/VTPlatHouse00024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1020" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IXxA57Yb7f0/Wbn3O71RNJI/AAAAAAAAEhY/V0JexhSK6GozfubMH9le4brfovl4e-s7wCLcBGAs/s640/VTPlatHouse00024.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fire place and AV</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Vermont Plat House was an extensively modified version of the catalog Plat House. It was expanded to 3 bedrooms at a time before we were offering the 3 bedroom version, and it was the first Plat House to be expanded to include an attached garage. Famously the house was featured in an <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/06/realestate/greathomes/06online.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin" target="_blank">article about House Plans </a>in the New York Times, and was featured in a state-wide <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lamidesign/3863995646/in/album-72157608708891232/" target="_blank">Vermont tour</a> of modern houses. We’ve more photos of the house <a href="http://blog.lamidesign.com/search/label/0632%20VT%20Plat%20House%20Mod" target="_blank">in our blog</a>, which includes many construction photos for those who like to see how it goes together.lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-803379471677397652017-08-06T22:38:00.000-04:002017-08-06T22:38:29.340-04:00Stack Townhomes - live model<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="373" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/228609063?loop=1" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="600"></iframe>lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-7149523463829402932017-07-02T12:54:00.000-04:002017-07-02T13:02:37.529-04:00Stacked Townhomes - The Site Plan<b>The Site Plan is the biggest problem with a typical rear garage stacked townhome.</b><br />
<br />
Last time we looked in some detail at the typical configuration of a Stacked Townhome with rear access garages. I promised that next we would look at the site planning implications of this kind of living space arrangement, and that’s what we are going to do today.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m3zPKhq6Jgw/WA1uWEZcpkI/AAAAAAAAEbo/TGN8dW1ohT0xqJApWqOF7xAxCTxhUSzyACK4B/s1600/typ%2Brear%2Bgar%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m3zPKhq6Jgw/WA1uWEZcpkI/AAAAAAAAEbo/TGN8dW1ohT0xqJApWqOF7xAxCTxhUSzyACK4B/s640/typ%2Brear%2Bgar%2B01.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Right off the bat the layout of the rear access garage stack townhomes dictates that you are going to have a street or an alleyway at the rear of your houses. Rear alleyways are great, one of my favorite organization approaches for compact housing. But for a house with garages integrated into the volume of the house this means there is not going to be any rear yard / rear courtyard / private outdoor space. That is a huge trade-off, one where the plan really gives back little for the trade-off.<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rApuYTjKyHs/WVkjkqNyaKI/AAAAAAAAEg0/UkHYBLKp2Y4Y-QChVvVVbo0S-vslO0mRgCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-07-02%2Bat%2B11.40.41%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rApuYTjKyHs/WVkjkqNyaKI/AAAAAAAAEg0/UkHYBLKp2Y4Y-QChVvVVbo0S-vslO0mRgCLcBGAs/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-07-02%2Bat%2B11.40.41%2BAM.png" width="640" /></a>
<br />
A common response to this no-win trade-off when this type of plan is used by developers is to omit a street at the front of these stacked houses, and instead they make a green pedestrian space. I hesitate to call it a pedestrian street, because these spaces are rarely treated as streets - meaning linear spaces that connect places. They are more often just a green space feeding off the collector road. This resultant green space does not function like a front yard, nor does it take the place of a rear yard. It does not see the pedestrian traffic of a real street, and does not offer the conventional relationship of a front yard and front door to a street. Compounding this is most comings and goings from the home will be from the garage, and since the front green space is not a street and does not take you anywhere, or bring you there, the home now lacks any normal street life.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GX_ZKO39_AQ/WVkj-RoWRGI/AAAAAAAAEg4/hs2z6SsWVIYucNQJOHdkVSO_WQabv5q_QCLcBGAs/s1600/site%2B2%2Bstreets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GX_ZKO39_AQ/WVkj-RoWRGI/AAAAAAAAEg4/hs2z6SsWVIYucNQJOHdkVSO_WQabv5q_QCLcBGAs/s640/site%2B2%2Bstreets.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<br />
This is everything going wrong with this home organization at the scale of neighborhood building. The obvious solution is to have a legitimate street at the front of the house, but this doubles infrastructure for the developer. The way to mitigate this is to make the alleyway a true alleyway, a service street where you do not spend budget on niceties. This minimizes the doubling of infrastructure, and allows you to limit improvements to the front street - trees, nice sidewalks, etc. But even if all this street making is done right, it leaves the house with no back yard and no private outdoor space. The unused front pedestrian green gets all of the site improvements - nice footpaths, and trees - where nobody comes and goes, and the rear alleyway gets no improvements - the place where everybody comes and goes. This fault lies with this stacked house design, and the only way to overcome it is to overhaul the prototype.
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_x6fjCN7qcI/WVkkJJf14ZI/AAAAAAAAEg8/4BcZcvI5L2YXmC6Yc-28q9hQgNEY3mdnACLcBGAs/s1600/site%2Balley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_x6fjCN7qcI/WVkkJJf14ZI/AAAAAAAAEg8/4BcZcvI5L2YXmC6Yc-28q9hQgNEY3mdnACLcBGAs/s640/site%2Balley.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<br />lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-87692734623753543902017-06-23T13:48:00.000-04:002017-06-23T13:48:15.250-04:00Why "Flash & Batt" is a crappy wall system in a heating climate<b>I get asked this all the time - specifically "How about Flash & Batt", and I seem to write this explanation out at least once a month. So I thought it would be worthwhile just putting it in a blog post.</b><br />
<br />
So "Flash & Batt", what is that anyway? You want to make a better performing wall, so the builder, or the builder's insulation contractor may suggest "Flash & Batt". Or sadly it may be coming from your architect because most know little about the actual science of putting a building together. On top of this all of the above may be bragging about how green this make them. What they are suggesting is this:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
- Before they insulate your walls they will spray a relatively thin coat of polyurethane foam insulation on the interior of your sheathing between the studs.<br />
<br />
- This will adhere to the wood and make your house very air-tight.<br />
<br />
- And the polyurethane which has a very high R value per inch will replace some of the batts which has an average R value per inch, so you come out with more insulation value.<br />
<br />
- And then they will insulate the rest of the cavity in the usual way with batts.<br />
<br />
I’m not a fan of flash and batt. It goes against all the fundamentals I’ve learned about how to design a wall assembly. I don’t know where it started, or who ever thought it was a good idea. It is a relatively fast thing to do if you are interested in making claim to doing something that helps efficiency, but its not particularly efficient, and its a messy imprecise process fraught with opportunity to make mistakes.<br />
<br />
- I don’t like putting the foam and whatever chemicals they are made of inside a house.<br />
<br />
- The spray foam is supposed to make the exterior air tight, but if the formula mix is not just right over time it can shrink and tear away from the studs which spoils the airtightness, and allows moist interior air to reach the exterior surface of the sheathing where condensation can occur.<br />
<br />
- Flash and Batt requires you to use a reverse vapor profile for the wall, meaning you are putting your air-tight barrier and vapor control line at the exterior/cold of the assembly in a heating climate. This means you must have enough insulation to prevent the dew point from moving out of the insulation into the wall cavity at all temperatures experienced, otherwise you risk seasonal condensation inside the cavity. This is easier to do with continuous exterior insulation, because it creates a thermal break of the studs. It is almost impossible to do well with spray foam between studs where each stud is a thermal bridge and the exposed sides of the stud greatly defeat the sprayed in insulation.<br />
<br />
- This configuration sets up a double vapor barrier when installed with conventional batt insulation. I see people follow up the spray foam with a conventional kraft faced batt. They use the kraft faced batt because its easy to staple up. But realize that now you have a wall cavity with a vapor retarder on both sides - the foam, and likely OSB on the outside, and the asphalt coated Kraft on the inside. That makes it very hard for that wall assembly to dry, to the inside or the outside. This is the worst possible condition. If moisture finds it way into that wall - say the HVAC system is pressurizing the building, and interior air is finding its way through the stud cavity via an electrical box or vent or hose bib. Moist interior air flowing through the cavity will shed water as cools, and that liquid water will not readily dry to the outside or inside.<br />
<br />
So in a heating climate, this is almost never a good idea. Rather air-tightness and vapor control should be at the same plane, on the warm side of the wall - the interior. That sets up challenges with penetrations for electrical boxes - they all have to be taped and sealed, which is why I like keeping the membrane at the studs, and overlaying an 1.5” wiring cavity so that your wires and boxes never have to penetrate the vapor control sheet. That cavity can get insulated as well which introduces a good thermal break from the studs.<br />
<br />
Anybody I’ve met who advocates for flash and batt walls typically does not understand how the building science works. They are more likely posturing that they are green, or up-selling something that they just want to make money from. Flash and Batt is just bad practice.<br />
<br />
If you want to learn how to make a better performing wall the right way then read our series on the USA New Wall. Start <a href="http://blog.lamidesign.com/search/label/USA%20New%20Wall" target="_blank">here</a>, go to the bottom and read up.lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-90996711503701398402016-10-26T22:12:00.004-04:002016-10-26T22:12:56.773-04:000971 Plat House 3 modification in the worksWe are in the midst of a plan modification for a Plat House 3 bedroom with a garage attached, and a unique metal + stone cladding scheme.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PTGq_r5hTKk/WBFiD5Y96fI/AAAAAAAAEcc/mj_954cKGysOues6x_1-paBCnchbC1mPwCK4B/s1600/plathouse%2Bmod.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PTGq_r5hTKk/WBFiD5Y96fI/AAAAAAAAEcc/mj_954cKGysOues6x_1-paBCnchbC1mPwCK4B/s640/plathouse%2Bmod.png" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
This includes a mudroom and utility space between the garage and laundry room of the standard plan. The garage is an oft requested expansion to the <a href="http://www.lamidesign.com/plans/planscat/0971/0971pg.html">Plat House.</a>lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-81521080224942089002016-10-23T22:21:00.000-04:002016-10-23T22:21:19.732-04:00Stacked Townhomes - typical configuration with rear garages<b>The precedent we are going to look at now is one of the most common configurations for Stacked Townhomes today. This is a three story two dwelling unit townhome configured with a 3 bedroom unit stacked over a 2 bedroom unit, with rear facing attached garages built into the volume of the house. Internally the units are in the typical stacked configuration with each unit consisting of 1 story + 1/2 floor.</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m3zPKhq6Jgw/WA1uWEZcpkI/AAAAAAAAEbo/TGN8dW1ohT0xqJApWqOF7xAxCTxhUSzyACK4B/s1600/typ%2Brear%2Bgar%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m3zPKhq6Jgw/WA1uWEZcpkI/AAAAAAAAEbo/TGN8dW1ohT0xqJApWqOF7xAxCTxhUSzyACK4B/s640/typ%2Brear%2Bgar%2B01.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
I resist calling this the most “popular” configuration because I am not convinced that popularity among developers equals popularity among home buyers. Buyers are traditionally stuck with what is offered, and in this case the popularity among developers is more the result of unit yield per acre than a preference for the configuration of dwelling units.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
This configuration stacked townhome has a big impact on site planning and the public/private outdoor environment that the occupants will experience. But before we venture into a site analysis of the outcome of this configuration we will spend this blog post looking closely at the layout. Refer to the floor plan as we do a “walk-thru”<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CdRIAnRTkTg/WA1uh55wY1I/AAAAAAAAEbw/5nga21x0D20zOjrzdrgMEYiszWRR3PicgCK4B/s1600/typ%2Brear%2Bgar%2Bstack%2Bplan.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CdRIAnRTkTg/WA1uh55wY1I/AAAAAAAAEbw/5nga21x0D20zOjrzdrgMEYiszWRR3PicgCK4B/s640/typ%2Brear%2Bgar%2Bstack%2Bplan.png" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Starting on the ground level the first characteristic you should note is the two separate front doors, one leading directly into the lower 2 bedroom unit, the other leading into a stair hall that goes up to the upper 3 bedroom unit. These are placed as far apart as possible (although they end up directly adjacent to the doors of the next townhouse), part of reducing the experience that you are sharing this big house with another owner. At the back of the house the space is split evenly between two garages, one for each dwelling unit. The challenge here is to connect the upper unit’s garage to the front stair hall, without taking too much space from the lower unit’s living spaces. This is an area of compromise - max the lower units living space and you create a horrible narrow entry hall for the upper unit. Take enough space for a gracious entry experience for the upper unit and the lower unit suffers under the diminished square footage. The compromise most often reached is the smaller 2 bedroom lower unit gets a smaller piece of the pie here, and its living spaces are smaller than the upper unit. Not ideal, but the goal for a plan here is a balance of these factors.<br />
<br />
Internally the lower unit enjoys a direct connection to the outdoors through the front entry, and close access to the garage space, but is left with a compact living area at best. The stair up to the bedrooms is in this case tucked between the kitchen and the garage. For the upper unit the ground floor is all about access. Its a long way from the garage to the living space, so a convenient coat closet is placed near the garage. The stair goes up to a landing from both sides, front door and garage approch, and from the landing up into the living spaces on the second floor. The double stair is useful as it breaks up what would otherwise be an awkwardly long and featureless hallway. Yet I still come away feeling like this is lipstick on a pig - there is no good way to connect the points of access here. The front door and garage are in different worlds, and the long hallway wastes space for the other unit, as does the double-back stair. There are other configurations of this kind of stacked townhome, but all have compromises in this ground floor arrangement. Solving the problems we see here almost always brings on other new issues. We are flagging this for future reference - we want to crack this nut.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yljrRYiPZgI/WA1urnN3cKI/AAAAAAAAEb4/D0Q8hFQjhUIPd5S4R-hZVOf2Q0KD-xzAACK4B/s1600/typ%2Brear%2Bgar%2B02.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yljrRYiPZgI/WA1urnN3cKI/AAAAAAAAEb4/D0Q8hFQjhUIPd5S4R-hZVOf2Q0KD-xzAACK4B/s640/typ%2Brear%2Bgar%2B02.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The second floor of this kind of stacked townhome is split roughly between the lower and upper units. Proceeding to the second floor on the lower unit stair takes you to a small upstairs hall where a modest master bedroom and second bedroom must share the rear half of the floor with two bathrooms and laundry for space. Smart floor planning can maximize these but the fact is there simply is not a lot of space here. The master bedroom is on the small side, and the second bedroom just plain small. There is no avoiding that the lower unit is modestly sized. In front half of the second floor are the living spaces for the upper unit. Similarly configured to the lower unit these spaces enjoy the full width of the townhouse, and none of the interruptions of the other unit’s hallway or entry vestibule. To my eye the living space still feels small for a 3 bedroom house, but if you think of this as more of an apartment this is less unusual. But at the same time, it makes it feel like less of a house. Part of this is the upper unit has no convenient access to the outdoors from the living areas. Even if you venture back to the ground floor there is no personal outdoor space. The lower unit is no better in this regard but is at least in proximity to the outdoors. Again this contributes to the upper unit feeling more like an apartment than a house.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Upp_jznh-ww/WA1uxeWhSZI/AAAAAAAAEcA/onh9D7Zcdr4kZrhLtzzP6gyMuT3GGu9OACK4B/s1600/typ%2Brear%2Bgar%2B04.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Upp_jznh-ww/WA1uxeWhSZI/AAAAAAAAEcA/onh9D7Zcdr4kZrhLtzzP6gyMuT3GGu9OACK4B/s640/typ%2Brear%2Bgar%2B04.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Finally the third floor is completely dedicated to bedrooms for the upper unit. The master bedroom suite has space to be sprawling, and the closets and master bathroom are huge. The second and third bedrooms are adequate, but benefit from generous hallway, closet, and laundry space on this level. Sadly its too much space proportionally to the living areas below. There is space to waste on the third floor while the living spaces below feel small for a 3 bedroom dwelling. I doubt this is ever seen as a problem by developers. More square feet equals higher price on most scorecards, but my criticism stands. Space is poorly distributed, and the design of the dwelling suffers for it. I am not convinced that 3 bedrooms even makes sense in this housing model. It seems more a result of space on hand rather than careful planning. Again we are flagging this for closer study in the future.<br />
<br />
It is informative to compare this to the <a href="http://blog.lamidesign.com/2016/09/stacked-townhomes-second-philadelphia.html">last precedent </a>we looked at. The introduction of the garage forces the upper unit to make a greater imposition on the lower unit, and yields the irregular boundary between the two units. In comparison the two units are much more entangled here than in the last precedent.<br />
<br />
Next time we’ll look at the site planning implications of this arrangement of stacked townhome. Stay with us.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_SKnWlpCMXw/WA1u1atx65I/AAAAAAAAEcI/_fYTh_qVKCoVp9gjWj6aqrqT0rxPnjsnwCK4B/s1600/typ%2Brear%2Bgar%2B03.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_SKnWlpCMXw/WA1u1atx65I/AAAAAAAAEcI/_fYTh_qVKCoVp9gjWj6aqrqT0rxPnjsnwCK4B/s640/typ%2Brear%2Bgar%2B03.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-68025430989525088432016-10-15T18:54:00.000-04:002016-10-15T18:54:35.792-04:00New Arkansas Plat House - night views<b>The New Arkansas Plat House has forwarded some new pictures of their home - night shots showing them enjoying their <a href="http://www.lamidesign.com/plans/planscat/0242/0242pg.html">Plat House</a> from their fire pit at night.</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bkIT_v7Mv1E/WAKylQLc9VI/AAAAAAAAEbM/h7pbKwaJvukXZT5gTvi1bIbaOUupOHYjwCK4B/s1600/image1.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bkIT_v7Mv1E/WAKylQLc9VI/AAAAAAAAEbM/h7pbKwaJvukXZT5gTvi1bIbaOUupOHYjwCK4B/s640/image1.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
There are a couple of more night photos uploaded to the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lamidesign/albums/72157633449090570">Flickr album.</a>lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-18301126689925736272016-09-16T07:52:00.000-04:002016-09-16T07:52:10.736-04:000385 Tray House in the kitchen<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TKMIr3TxECo/V9Yi72egs_I/AAAAAAAAEa4/seI_fRv4YW8eCiAzZP9YcXeE_7LWK1TnwCK4B/s1600/VIZ_0166.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TKMIr3TxECo/V9Yi72egs_I/AAAAAAAAEa4/seI_fRv4YW8eCiAzZP9YcXeE_7LWK1TnwCK4B/s640/VIZ_0166.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Here is the casual relationship between the kitchen work area and the dining space of the <a href="http://www.lamidesign.com/plans/planscat/0385/0385pg.html">Tray House.</a> This can work for you if you like a large formal dining table and a kitchen table in the kitchen proper, or with a daily table in the dining area, and stools at the island in the kitchen for less formal meals.lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-21909732113157259272016-09-15T07:29:00.000-04:002016-09-15T07:29:07.861-04:001201 XHouse5 backyard<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SmRNYzkuF9Y/V9YfYwhsmAI/AAAAAAAAEas/2hznro-VxK0Z1SGpylkhodiKS41AKKDRQCK4B/s1600/VIZ_0146.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SmRNYzkuF9Y/V9YfYwhsmAI/AAAAAAAAEas/2hznro-VxK0Z1SGpylkhodiKS41AKKDRQCK4B/s640/VIZ_0146.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The back of the <a href="http://www.lamidesign.com/plans/planscat/1201/1201pg.html">XHouse5</a> has a pair of doors into the living room, and right beside it a door to the mud room. Above is the master bedroom, and bath.lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-7596995684812597372016-09-14T08:08:00.000-04:002016-09-14T08:08:06.004-04:000967 XHouse3 the whole place<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qeC80pRnwl4/V9YbEuuXsWI/AAAAAAAAEag/nXmPlrw06Tgvdu86Al9peHAiPvlUjh73wCK4B/s1600/VIZ_0224.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qeC80pRnwl4/V9YbEuuXsWI/AAAAAAAAEag/nXmPlrw06Tgvdu86Al9peHAiPvlUjh73wCK4B/s640/VIZ_0224.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
From this spot in the kitchen you can take in the entire <a href="http://www.lamidesign.com/plans/planscat/0967/0967pg.html">XHouse3</a>. Well.., not all of it, but its a cool view!lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-64088165847549548722016-09-13T07:52:00.000-04:002016-09-13T07:52:05.398-04:000357 Steel Case House party is always best in the kitchen<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-whnwynYvCeE/V9YX2p57aUI/AAAAAAAAEaU/zuE_KiB4894ivqDt4Fn0rZAG91Zq6CVLQCK4B/s1600/VIZ_0215.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-whnwynYvCeE/V9YX2p57aUI/AAAAAAAAEaU/zuE_KiB4894ivqDt4Fn0rZAG91Zq6CVLQCK4B/s640/VIZ_0215.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.lamidesign.com/plans/planscat/0357/0357pg.html">Steel Case House</a> may have a great living room, but the kitchen and family room is where everybody hangs out during a party!lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-23385781333245499902016-09-12T07:49:00.000-04:002016-09-12T07:49:03.033-04:000965 XHouse2 overview<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XLoZGF1rxww/V9Thp95b-II/AAAAAAAAEaE/prHBxd45yLEut2G4egnJQkMxaPYerlawgCK4B/s1600/VIZ_0084.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XLoZGF1rxww/V9Thp95b-II/AAAAAAAAEaE/prHBxd45yLEut2G4egnJQkMxaPYerlawgCK4B/s640/VIZ_0084.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.lamidesign.com/plans/planscat/0965/0965pg.html">XHouse2</a> has the same plan and footprint as our iconic steel 3030 house design, but made instead with easy to build stud construction.lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-33903453645680463952016-09-09T08:22:00.000-04:002016-09-09T08:22:04.350-04:000380 Cube House upstairs family room<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4aZEvlDqbm8/V84LMMTsERI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/zUd1zTK_1D8nOKSEsyuxlCVzBwbsIE4oQCK4B/s1600/VIZ_0198.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4aZEvlDqbm8/V84LMMTsERI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/zUd1zTK_1D8nOKSEsyuxlCVzBwbsIE4oQCK4B/s640/VIZ_0198.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Well here it is, I don't know why we've waited so long to look at the <a href="http://www.lamidesign.com/plans/planscat/0380/0380pg.html">Cube House's</a> upstairs studio space, perhaps the most significant outcome of its interesting 2+3 story organization. If you recall the living room of this house is very high, with a story an a half space for a loft like living area. Above the living room is this studio space which is also a story and a half tall, and when combined with the living room equals the three stories on the other side of the house. So what do you do with this space? A kick-ass family room? A dancing or painting studio? Photography? You name it - its yours.lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-45920834445566498092016-09-08T07:14:00.000-04:002016-09-08T07:14:00.180-04:000518 U House bedroom hallway<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0lpLHzVops8/V84KERZmvUI/AAAAAAAAEZo/3aX_LeXl71cpeTOxWaPe6wcG7B_P3REvwCK4B/s1600/VIZ_0234.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0lpLHzVops8/V84KERZmvUI/AAAAAAAAEZo/3aX_LeXl71cpeTOxWaPe6wcG7B_P3REvwCK4B/s640/VIZ_0234.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The bedroom hallway opposite the master bedroom wing in the <a href="http://www.lamidesign.com/plans/planscat/0518/0518pg.html">U House</a> has its own sliding door to the deck, all the better to create that wide open connection to the courtyard and the landscape beyond.lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-18493068826240022022016-09-07T07:10:00.000-04:002016-09-07T07:10:14.063-04:000237 Pretender front facade<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gCSjWjA75gY/V84IpsFBRWI/AAAAAAAAEZg/xlWjKDH_pfclpJ9hCumSBC5PwOHdKg97QCK4B/s1600/VIZ_0207.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gCSjWjA75gY/V84IpsFBRWI/AAAAAAAAEZg/xlWjKDH_pfclpJ9hCumSBC5PwOHdKg97QCK4B/s640/VIZ_0207.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Well, this is it, the front of the <a href="http://www.lamidesign.com/plans/planscat/0237/0237pg.html">Pretender</a>. We've not been avoiding it, but we've spend all our time looking at the other parts of the house that are so obviously modern. But this is the business end of the house, where all the pretending goes on, for the sake of pacifying the neighbors that are less than open minded. So you can dress this up as a farm house, or put the big fat greek columns on it if thats what it takes. Just think of this side like a traditional blank slate. Do what you have to do to make it work and don't think twice about it. Its worth it to have your cool modern house thats hiding out back. Your welcome.lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-87918548511705228872016-09-06T08:02:00.000-04:002016-09-06T08:02:03.274-04:001299 XHouse4 finally! all the way upstairs<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bniwfDLcRjg/V84G0Wi6XuI/AAAAAAAAEZU/DX74QdNGh_sclPBoqVvtm5x1ZTlRXCeTwCK4B/s1600/VIZ_0203.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bniwfDLcRjg/V84G0Wi6XuI/AAAAAAAAEZU/DX74QdNGh_sclPBoqVvtm5x1ZTlRXCeTwCK4B/s640/VIZ_0203.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
If you've been following along with us we've been on a slow walk up the stairs to the attic floor of the <a href="http://www.lamidesign.com/plans/planscat/1299/1299pg.html">XHouse4</a>. And here we are - we've arrived! The attic floor is one large room, with wide dormers that admit a lot of light. There is a full bathroom, and an hvac closet, and storage closets under the sloped ceilings. This space can be split into two rooms if you wish, used as bedrooms, a great home office, a playroom for the kids, or anything else you can think of. So enjoy, its does not get much better than this.lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-59506257323612895632016-09-05T19:55:00.002-04:002016-09-05T19:55:42.041-04:000857 L House in the kitchen<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vJWi356Sugg/V84FDQngkQI/AAAAAAAAEZM/U6UmwcbL5bcdXQvQLLjUo9gFmW2JU1GggCK4B/s1600/VIZ_0160.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vJWi356Sugg/V84FDQngkQI/AAAAAAAAEZM/U6UmwcbL5bcdXQvQLLjUo9gFmW2JU1GggCK4B/s640/VIZ_0160.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Our last blog post for the <a href="http://www.lamidesign.com/plans/planscat/0857/0857pg.html">L House</a> showed a view down the circulation path that goes along the living spaces and ends at the kitchen. Today we are in the kitchen looking back into the living spaces, and we can see how the corner of the kitchen overlaps and is one with the circulation zone. A little overlapping of spaces happens because the kitchen extends out to the column line. This results in a kitchen that is in a discrete room, but still participates in the open plan living of the home.lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38363189.post-54335878143862475132016-09-03T13:45:00.000-04:002016-09-03T13:45:39.548-04:00Stacked Townhomes - a second Philadelphia precedent<b><br /></b>
<b>To follow up on the last Stacked Townhome precedent study today we look at another infill project in the same neighborhood of Philadelphia - Hawthorne. This example is a more representative example of a stacked townhouse because unlike the first one which was a flat under a two story unit, this example consists of two units that are 1 story + 1/2 floor. This configuration is more consistent with the contemporary model of Stacked Townhomes.</b><br />
<br />
<div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ltpbGysWyCQ/V8sJmCZNQEI/AAAAAAAAEYc/zqVAFgp8Qw404LvoiC0EQxMpB-15DVxtQCK4B/s1600/Hawthorne%2Bstack%2Btownhomes%2B2%2Bsite.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ltpbGysWyCQ/V8sJmCZNQEI/AAAAAAAAEYc/zqVAFgp8Qw404LvoiC0EQxMpB-15DVxtQCK4B/s640/Hawthorne%2Bstack%2Btownhomes%2B2%2Bsite.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
If you go back to my <a href="http://blog.lamidesign.com/2016/07/stacked-townhomes-new-prototype-design.html">first post</a> on this design study you can see a sketch of this configuration. There is typically a ground floor entry, one door for each unit, with one unit on the ground floor and half the second floor; and the second unit on half the second floor and the entire third floor. In this case the setting is urban, and the ground floor unit has a small rear yard, and the upper unit only a small balcony. On this site the rest of the lot depth back to the alleyway is dedicated to a shared parking lot.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a name='more'></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yroAmM-J-zQ/V8sJ9BDnsFI/AAAAAAAAEYk/-g0zO-9zJhU3suvXGmhm4shwDKqmVoksgCK4B/s1600/Hawthorne%2Bstack%2Btownhomes%2B2%2Bfront.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yroAmM-J-zQ/V8sJ9BDnsFI/AAAAAAAAEYk/-g0zO-9zJhU3suvXGmhm4shwDKqmVoksgCK4B/s640/Hawthorne%2Bstack%2Btownhomes%2B2%2Bfront.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
I do not have the floor plans of these houses, but to illustrate how this unit organization can lay out I’ve sketched out a hypothetical floor plan in this arrangement. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KHfXqICkJk8/V8sKLjxfNUI/AAAAAAAAEYs/TBFwyFFttNUF_5ZSc0Q7q0TYwPdlJIbuQCK4B/s1600/haw2%2Bflr%2Bplans.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KHfXqICkJk8/V8sKLjxfNUI/AAAAAAAAEYs/TBFwyFFttNUF_5ZSc0Q7q0TYwPdlJIbuQCK4B/s400/haw2%2Bflr%2Bplans.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
One characteristic of these which is a clear step forward from the last example is two independent front doors. There is no common vestibule here and for both units their front door opens right on to the public way much like a single townhouse. However in this case the two doors are directly beside one another. In more contemporary examples the doors would be placed remotely from one another, more for the sake of suggesting you are living in a single house. Or at least in order to not confront the owner on a daily basis with their co-owner’s front door. They don’t want to remind you that you are “sharing” this house, so you can maintain your illusion that you have a great big row house!</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bDJabbX596Y/V8sKTxlr_0I/AAAAAAAAEY0/ftojgqV2IHAnkBKhgiCq2XTn_vRPtk_6gCK4B/s1600/haw2%2Bdiagram%2Bmodel.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bDJabbX596Y/V8sKTxlr_0I/AAAAAAAAEY0/ftojgqV2IHAnkBKhgiCq2XTn_vRPtk_6gCK4B/s400/haw2%2Bdiagram%2Bmodel.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This transparent massing model begins to show you how the spaces become interlocked as we strive to provide access to each unit. A staircase from the street level must cut through the lower unit to reach the second floor level of the upper unit. Similarly the lower unit’s stair to the second floor cuts through the upper units space to provide access to the second floor bedrooms. This is just the start of the spacial gymnastics that will ensue as we look at units that are striving to provide connections to attached and internal garages. You will see the next units we look at start to fit together like Chinese puzzles.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vf9v1S1gpG4/V8sKgAyID1I/AAAAAAAAEY8/vug587LvdN8iCnsU0T6ir-6-VA2rrasQgCK4B/s1600/chinese%2Bpuzzle.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vf9v1S1gpG4/V8sKgAyID1I/AAAAAAAAEY8/vug587LvdN8iCnsU0T6ir-6-VA2rrasQgCK4B/s640/chinese%2Bpuzzle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
lavarderahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07241073948874188058noreply@blogger.com0