Submitted by Ana White on Thu, 2011-06-09 08:05
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Momplex Stats
Money Spent So Far:
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Time Spent So Far:
0 Hours Where would you start the ultimate DIY Project . . . times two? Do you buy land, pick a plan, or just grab your shovel and go?
Before I start any project, I always sit down and make a list of the objectives for the project. For example, if I was to make an entertainment center, I would list out the items I need to store in it, the width of my television, the "look" that I need for the space, who is going to use it, and of course, the available budget and so on.
So as I start to plan this Momplex, a DIY Duplex for our mothers, which is who knows how many times more complex than an entertainment center, before I spend hours in Google Sketchup drawing it, before we spend thousands of dollars on a lot, I made time to write down a list of objectives for the Momplex. Thought I would share, so you all know exactly what we are trying to accomplish with the Momplex.
Efficient
This one is at the top of our list. We hope that the Moms will be living in the Momplex for many years. And the last thing we want is for our mothers to be held helpless to high heating or utility bills. With heating bills in Alaska running upwards of $1000 a month in cold seasons in our local community, and our own electric bill hovering around $200 per month, efficiency is ultra important. We want Mom to be happy in the Momplex, not held hostage because she can't afford to leave it!
We've got a few ideas to conserve energy and create a more efficient Momplex. Each unit will be as small as reasonable possible (less square footage to heat equals a lower heating bill), and we are researching several different methods to increase the R Value (level of insulation) of the Momplex. We are also looking into alternative methods for energy, preferably renewable sources. And of course, we'll be super interested in appliances, doors and windows that are extra efficient.
Low Maintenance
So this one is at the top of the Ram's list. He knows who is going to be plowing the snow, fixing pipes and painting the porches, and is going to do his best to minimize the number of maintenance tasks for the Momplex. We'll be considering everything from the common wind directions to avoid drifting driveways, to using low maintenance siding and decking, to even putting the Momplex directly on a concrete slab (looking forward to learning how to stamp concrete!) to minimize flooring maintenance over many years. We hope that a visit to Mom's is something we look forward to!
Green
We hear a ton of talk these days about "green" building. But what exactly does that mean? Basically, building green means:
- Efficiently uses energy, water and other resources
- Occupants health and construction workers health is protected
- Reduction of waste, pollution and environmental degradition
We already have the efficiency part as top priority, check.
Our moms are healthy energetic ladies, and we'd like to keep them that way. Energetic grandma = more babysitting. Pretty self explanatory. So as we plan the Momplex, and make decisions along the way, we'll be taking extra efforts to improve the indoor air quality. This is especially important in Alaska, where homes are sealed tight during winter months. Simple decisions like building the kitchen cabinets using formaldehyde free plywood and using low VOC paints could keep Mom healthier for many more years - not to mention the health of the construction workers (that would be me and the Ram). So if you have any fresh ideas on keeping the air fresh in the Momplex, let us know!
I like to say my mom is the greenest person I know. The woman wastes nothing. Nothing. From potting plants in discarded containers to catching rainwater, my mom is an amazing example of Green. She's instilled that in me too, to reduce waste and find unlikely uses for what others might think of as trash. In honor of mom, we'll take green beyond that, and include things like using sustainable materials when possible, look for locally grown materials, and shop brands dedicated to green goodness.
Suitable for Seniors
The other day, I told my mom that we were going to make the Momplex easy for her to live in. That each unit would have a garage, with an automatic garage door opener, and she can just drive into the garage, and walk right into the kitchen.
Guess what she said?
"My! You think I'm handicap already?" And then she went on to tell us how hard work makes you stronger and healthier. True, mom, very true. I couldn't agree more. But we hope mom lives in the Momplex for many many years, and at some point, she may need a walker or a wheelchair. So though mom is obviously very healthy and vivacious now, and probably still will be at ninety, we must consider things like wide doorways, large bathrooms and minimal stairs in the event that Mom's health does change. Some ideas I like are single story, raised dishwashers, a walk in shower with a seat, easy to clean floors, walkout patios, Sausha's Washer/Dryer Pedestals, and yes, a garage with a garage door opener. Sorry mom.
Sized Appropriately
We already know that the Momplex is going to be as small as reasonably possible, and a single story for efficiency and safety. But with 13 children (not including spouses), and the number of grandchildren growing exponentially, as well as extended family and lots of friends that are pretty much family, between the two moms, quite a party can happen on any given Sunday morning. So although each unit needs to be small and efficient, the floor plan must be open and spacious.
We will also build the furniture, taking great care to maximize storage whenever possible. I like the idea of a dining nook with storage seats, bathroom vanities with storage hutches, closets that are more efficient, and lots of built-ins.
We'd like to also uses other spaces creatively, for example, that garage my mom thinks she doesn't need could be finished out and used for the grandkid's playroom when the car's not there. And we'd like to take advantage of the outdoor space as much as possible - perhaps creating a community space with a children's playground, barbeque area . . . sounds like the perfect spot to drop the kids off and pick them up at dinner time . . . hint hint mom :) It's not so much about square footage - it's about a good floor plan, maximizing outdoor spaces, and using spaces well and creatively.
Budget
I will go into more details on how we are paying for the Momplex, and how much we can afford in a later post, but like all projects, there is a budget. But I feel like that budget can be stretched though creative means and DIYing whenever possible. Just by doing all the work ourselves is going to save us an estimated $100,000. Furnishing it with handmade furniture, vanities, closets, built-ins and kitchen cabinets could save us another $20,000. These things do add up!
And to keep us honest to that budget, I'm planning on keeping a public tally right here on the blog of how much we spend. That way, when it's all said and done, we can tally up how much one can save by owner building a home.
So now the fun part, considering all these objectives, it's time to find a lot, draw up a plan, and start building! We welcome any advice, useful links, or tips from you to help us build the best possible Momplex.
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Have to say, you might want
Have to say, you might want to consider building some of the Momplex, built into the ground. There is no other insulator like it..... and grass over the roof. There is an amazing project someone built in Wales and one day I would love to try this myself! Obviously not what you're looking for, but there are some great ideas here : http://www.simondale.net/house/
This is so cool! Thanks for
This is so cool! Thanks for sharing the link, would love to try something like this as perhaps a remote cabin in Alaska someday!
Wow!
This is awesome that you're doing this! As for the link above, I would SO LIVE in something like that. Oh...my goodness, its amazing.
mom spaces
i would start with their hobbies. ;o) if it includes the kitchen then it could direct the plans for that room. if its jewelry making i'd start with a hobby room. ;o) i so so LOVE to do floor plans for women. Have fun!!!
Great advice! Now you got me
Great advice! Now you got me thinking! One mom loves to sew, so we are thinking about putting a wall system in the dining room that opens up to a craft storage wall.
don't forget..
don't forget your permits! that's always important when renovating and building :)
That's the cool thing about
That's the cool thing about Alaska, no permits and no taxes! But we will be following standard codes and doing things the right way!
Momplex and senior living
I am a long term care nurse. Here's my input-
Pre-plan extra bracing in bathroom for shower and toilet grabs
Elevated toilet seats
Make all entry ways wide enough for a wheelchair, walker or scooter.
Make the bathrooms big enough for two people. Mom and Caregiver to move. Don't forget the space for the Wheelchair.
make the undersink cabinet removable to roll a wheelchair under or set a stool in front of.
Plan kitchen spaces wide enough for wheelchair and turning. Pay attention to door clearances.
Granted they may be great active ladies...that can change quicker than anyone wants to consider.
Will they have a guest room that could be used for a caregiver?
Exterior entrances will they be close to ground level? If not plan for doorway clearance and ramp.
You may have thought of these things. May be the furthest from your mind right now.
HTH
Tricia
Tricia, so appreciate all
Tricia, so appreciate all these suggestions! We don't like to think of mom in thirty or forty years, but it would be limiting not too! I hadn't thought of alot of your suggestions, but certainly am now! Thanks!
Mom Plex
Tricia...awesome input! Ana, you may also want to check out www.fabcab.com. They do pre-fab homes in a variety of sizes...designed for all ages and abilities AND sustainable! Since you'll be doing the labor yourselves, this might be an affordable alternative to starting from scratch. Then, your creativity can be used in the furnishings. Just a thought!
a few ideas
Ana, I dont have many insulating suggestions but as much as they may hate the idea of growing older, ( I do too!)I have spent a little time researching the subject of aging in place.
A few things that come to mind if I was building for my Mom...
One is a curbless shower - no threshold to step over.
When you are framing - keep in mind you may want to add grab bars at some point - at the shower or commode especially - Think about putting in some blocking now to accomodate that without having to tear out drywall in 10 years.
Do the Mommas want access to each other? Consider adding a hallway or door to allow them to visit each other without going outside. This may be especially helpful if one is a little under-the-weather and needs some help.
Look into putting in dishwasher drawers. They are compact for smaller loads and minimal bending needed.
Of course that goes for cabinets too...more drawers is better.
Pocket doors are a huge space saver for coveted wall space...
Our mommas get along great,
Our mommas get along great, and I think the idea of adjoining garages might just be the thing to keep our Mom's happy and in good company come fifty degrees below zero and three hours of sunshine in January - they can visit each other! Love the idea! We haven't done a ton of research on appliances and cabinets, good to know drawers are better. Thanks so much for your ideas!
All GREAT ideas. The one
All GREAT ideas. The one thing that kept popping up in my head was radiant floor heat. I understand you can actually use geothermal heat (heat from inside the ground) to power it (if that's the right word) Is that possible in AK? I agreee you need space for family to visit but larger rooms are harder to heat so alternative cheaper ways to provide heat in those rooms would be a plus. Maybe a wood stove that actually uses deer corn? That would be something easy to require (no chopping firewood!) and I understand they put out ALOT of heat. And if you are planning ahead for if/when mom becomes incapicated put the important rooms close together. When my mom in law became ill with cancer just the walk from the bedroom to the kitchen (one end of ranch house to the other end) would tire her out so much she had to stop halfway to rest. So maybe put her bedroom near the kitchen and other common areas (or extra bedrooms) at the other end. Anyway, you've got GREAT ideas, you totally rock at this. Can't wait to follow along!!
The Ram is a big fan of
The Ram is a big fan of radiant heat floors (we have them in the garage and he installed them) and really wants our Moms to have a nice warm floor. I've heard quite a bit about geothermal heat, but nothing so far in Alaska. We definitely will be research more on geothermal heat. We are also considering a wood boiler to supplement heat - but obviously, that will require someone loading the boiler and then removing ashes and so on, but we are okay with having to stop by and say hi to our moms on a daily basis :) thank you so much for you advice and ideas, love the idea of important rooms close together.
Wow
With a concrete floor, in floor heating makes sense. Go with hydronic to keep the electric bill down. They have water heaters now with 2 units, one is on-demand for showers and such, the second is used to heat the floors. I wish we had set this up in our place, and we don't even live in Alaska.
Moms' Duplex
Hi Ana,
Great idea! Have you considered incorporating a shared "entertainment" space that could link the two duplexes? I'm envisioning a large room with two sets of french doors opening to each Mom's separate space. Something with a dining area and living area that your extended family could use for family gatherings? Maybe it could even have separate heating so the Moms only turn it on when they are expecting guests? With such a space each Mom's separate areas could truly be small and efficient.
What a fabulous idea! I love
What a fabulous idea! I love it! We were thinking the garages could be finished out and used as a "party" space . . . but that's just not the same. Thanks for taking your time to give us great ideas!
Shared space...
I was thinking the same thing! And...this might be crazy...but it might make sense to share the kitchen as well. Their kitchen could be larger and fancier if they are willing to share it. Anyway, this seems like a decision they could make: a choice between a little more privacy and control or a little more company and fanciness. Honesty is essential for decades of happiness! :-)
Dont really have much to add
Dont really have much to add to the above suggestions from caregivers. They are all spot-on. In our house, which is a work in progress, we are also planning for our old age, all of "the incase of's".. Pocket doors are great, dont have to worry about which way the door will swing in smaller spaces. Built-in cupboards and cabinets take up SO much less floor space than standard chest of drawers, plus they use valuable upper wall space, that in my opinion, is wasted space. I am putting in floor to ceiling built-in's in the bedrooms. You can purchase taller toilets for ease in getting up and down. Wide doorways and halls, keeping floor clutter to a minimum (coffee tables and etc). Keep counter heights just right (short or tall). Leaning over a too short counter is hard on a back. And if tall things are encountered, make sure that the step stool to get up there has hand rails for stability. And furniture.. Some couches are so low, its hard to get in and out.. thats the nice thing about custome made... Cant wait to witness this journey Ana.. Good for you!
The concrete floor
You mentioned "putting the Momplex directly on a concrete slab (looking forward to learning how to stamp concrete!) to minimize flooring maintenance over many years." We currently live in what will eventually be our garage...and have concrete floors (garage is slab on grade, with hydronic radiant floors powered by a super-efficient Buderus boiler).
A couple of recommendations: 1) Consider the damage (scrapes, marks, etc) that occur to the slab during construction. We have permanent black marks and stains on the floor from the construction process and so our floors never look clean. 2) If the concrete is not sealed with a high-gloss finish your moms will not like the look of their dull floors. Again, they never appear clean, even when they are. 3) The concrete is hard...obviously. But, hard on the body too. Even linoleum or laminate flooring has some amount of give when walking and standing, but the concrete does not.
Again, our structure will eventually be our garage, so we live with it. BUT, if I had the option, I'd put some sort of flooring down over top of my slab for long term use.
I'm looking forward to following your progress...we'll be embarking on Phase II of our home in the next year or so. Actually building a home, rather than our garage! Woohooo!!
Hi Erin, I see you are in
Hi Erin, I see you are in Fairbanks! That would make us neighbors LOL! I had heard good things about concrete, but will have to rethink on your recommendations. We may just put high grade linoleum or even cork floors (per reader comments) to soften the floors. Even just building projects all day in the garage gets hard on my 30 year old back with the concrete floor in there. Definitely something for us to consider!
And yay on heading to Phase II!
One of the best things I've
One of the best things I've ever seen in an older woman's house (and now I want one of my own!) was this - She had a padded bench in her kitchen that was perfect for sitting on, but when you lift up the seat lid, it was a secret little door into the garage! When she went grocery shopping, she just had to put her groceries in that area of the garage and then walk into her kitchen (without the burden of groceries) to open the lid of her bench and voila! The groceries were already in her kitchen ready to be put away! The only hard part was getting them out of the car - she didn't have to deal with any of the carrying into the house. I bet your moms would love it!
So brilliant! We haven't
So brilliant! We haven't come up with a floor plan, but I've been doing some sketches and this is what your comment inspired:
Ledge & Stair feedback
Hi Ana, I'm really enjoying your site. Some feedback on the ledge above is that itlooks a little high...they'd have to lift the whole bag of groceries up to it at shoulder level or higher? I think that defeats the purpose of making it easier for someone in later years. This idea probably only works when the garage is on the same level as the kitchen.
That also looks like a lot of stairs to negotiate if they were using a walker or something. Are you planning an alternate entry in that case? My fit farm-wife grandma eventually had difficulty in her mid 80s with negotiating her porch steps which were about the same as just that first level of steps from the garage floor level up to the first landing.
Hope this helps.
This is option B - probably
This is option B - probably not what we will end up doing, but I just loved the idea so much had to share! We are really thinking a ranch makes more sense in the long run!
Brilliant
That is the coolest thing ever, I don't have a garage but I want one of those! :)
Concrete Floors
You mentioned "putting the Momplex directly on a concrete slab (looking forward to learning how to stamp concrete!) to minimize flooring maintenance over many years." We currently live in what will eventually be our garage...and have concrete floors (garage is slab on grade, with hydronic radiant floors powered by a super-efficient Buderus boiler).
A couple of recommendations: 1) Consider the damage (scrapes, marks, etc) that occur to the slab during construction. We have permanent black marks and stains on the floor from the construction process and so our floors never look clean. 2) If the concrete is not sealed with a high-gloss finish your moms will not like the look of their dull floors. Again, they never appear clean, even when they are. 3) The concrete is hard...obviously. But, hard on the body too. Even linoleum or laminate flooring has some amount of give when walking and standing, but the concrete does not.
Again, our structure will eventually be our garage, so we live with it. BUT, if I had the option, I'd put some sort of flooring down over top of my slab for long term use.
I'm looking forward to following your progress...we'll be embarking on Phase II of our home in the next year or so. Actually building a home, rather than our garage! Woohooo!!
Great Ideas
We built our home 17 yr ago. I planned extra spacing in case we ever needed to get a wheelchair around. While I was at work my husband changed the plans. Four very active children (high school and collage age)five broken legs and one broken back later I wish he would not have changed the plans. You can also get shower with ramps instead of dams.
One thing we used for a bathroom ceiling and closet walls is ceder plank fencing 1 x 6 inches x 6 feet, easy to install looks really beautiful. We got lucky and bought some damaged one really cheap. Good luck.
Geothermal
Def. look into geothermal.. I don't know in Alaska, but here in MI we do geothermal drilling with our water well drilling business. Because y ou are planning on doing your own work, you could look ingo horizontal loops which if you have a backhoe you could do yourself. I don't know how deep you would need to go in Alaska, but in MI we do 6-8 feet for horizontal loops and 100-150(depending on ground makeup) for vertical(would need a rig for that type..) but I would talk to a heating person on this.. my parents put this system in their house and it does air, heat, and water heating(up to ground temp) then uses the pump to add extra heat and finally a instant water heater to add the extra they need. Works wonders in cuts costs greatly.. and is tax deductable(10% on federal)
Geothermal heating is
Geothermal heating is something we are very very interested in! But we haven't seen any applications yet in Alaska - will be interesting to see if this can be done!
Your location makes some of
Your location makes some of my ideas questionable. Do you have access to inexpensive straw? Or is it all shipped long distances and priced accordingly? Straw bale houses are great for insulation value.
I too thought of the radiant heat floors. Might be more expensive up front (?) but for comfort, can't be beat. (I think) you'd want a system that sits above the slab, for maintenance reasons. Nothing worse than having to ditch your system because you can't afford to tear up hunks of slab to fix it.
If you do go with concrete floors, there are all colors of stains that can be applied. Frank Lloyd Wright loved a color he called Cherokee Red. ( http://www.voiceofcolor.com/en/exchange/the_voice/dee_schlotter.asp ) A dark floor with light rugs is popular in the design field right now - with dark stained wood rather than concrete, but it is "the look"... And concrete can always be upgraded, as you already know.
I follow another creator of an owner built home here:
http://edificerex.blogspot.com/
She's got stuff tagged on the sidebar, doesn't seem to have a tag for 'house' in general. She's got a plywood wall that she's making into art, but I can't find the image right now, dangit.
Here's a great share of making a nice wide plank floor from plywood. http://quarryorchard.blogspot.com/2010/12/plywood-to-plank-flooring-tuto... Looks GREAT!
Looking forward to watching your progress!
Shared entertainment space... maybe you make the garage one unit and put it in the middle of the two units? Then the play area/shared space can be easily heated (all that space insulating above and on the sides!) and functional all the time. This also gives a interior access door at both units for the two to use if they need to help each other out occasionally.
Finally, it sounds like you are leaning to a single level. I'd at least investigate doing a cape cod (or saltbox) style - a large undefined space above each unit can be finished as needed for sleepover space, caretaker living, and resale value (this last is the very last thing you want to think about, but it should be in the equations.)
Thank you for all the ideas!
Thank you for all the ideas! We certainly will be considering many of them. I love the plywood floor too! Stunning, economical and doable!
Concrete floors can be really
Concrete floors can be really hard on the hips and knees.
What about can solar for some heating?
The major issue with solar is
The major issue with solar is we get the sunshine in the summer, the low season for energy usage, and then get no sunshine in the winter months when you really need it! Some people do massive battery banks, but then you have to figure in the cost effectiveness of investing in so many batteries. Will be crunching tons of numbers for sure.
smart lady
Ana,
I just wanted to say how impressed and admiring I am that you have thought to look at the accessibility requirements your moms may have over the longer term! I work in he disability sector and retrofitting costs for houses are exorbitant in the case of reduced mobility, and often as not force older or disabled people to forego their independence before they really need to and move to other housing options. Chances are, if your mom is an active lady now, she'll want to stay that way even if someday(and hopefully this never happens) her mobility becomes a little impaired, building her house to keep that in mind, will go a long way to help.
Thank you! None of us like
Thank you! None of us like to think this way :( but it would be short ended if we didn't.
You are certainly on the
You are certainly on the right path when it comes to planning. My DH and I designed and built our own home here in NC and we only wanted to do it once, so we planned for future mobility limitations- I think every new home built should consider this- we never know what life is going to throw us. We built green long before all the local good'ole boy contractors had any clue what that meant(I think they thought I wanted everything in the color green, lol) It was very challenging to say the least. Things that were expensive up front but really worth it: Highly Insulated Windows(with consideration to directional exposure), Spray Foam Insulation (we had someone do it but I know there are DIY kits now availible)Geothermal HVAC(I'm not sure if that is practical for the deep frost of Alaska) & Tankless Water Heaters.
One way I saved a ton of money was by buying fixtures(mostly plumbing and lighting) on EBay. I have some really nice high end pieces for builder grade prices. It took a lot of time and alot of homework, but the savings made up for some of the more expensive green costs. Unfortunately the shipping to Alaska may make it impractical for you.
Congrats on owner building
Congrats on owner building your own home! You know, what disgusts me more than anything on a construction site (not every site) is the huge waste pile. When labor is more expensive than materials, sometimes it's easier to throw materials away then deal with imperfections or salvage good parts. When you owner build, you minimize your waste - that's how my Farmhouse Bed comes along. And you also be "Green" because you don't want high utility bills. Yay for owner builders!
ideas for the Momplex
I love the idea of having a shared large gathering room! When I was young, we lived on a hill and the other occupants of the 8 other houses were all aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. We had a common area that we all shared with an outdoor fire place and picnic tables and a "cardhouse". The cardhouse was a large wooden building...I'm thinking at least 20'x30' that had large screened window openings and a screen door. Inside was a concrete floor, a refrigerator, and lots of picnic tables and a couple of ceiling fans. We had feasts in there, and it was a wonderful place to play during the summer with my cousins and at night the grown-ups sat up late, played cards and sang...I still remember listening to them while lying in bed.
What a wonderful way to bless your Moms.
Sounds like a dream childhood
Sounds like a dream childhood with all that family! We hope that the Momplex becomes family gathering central! Perhaps it should be named Camp Grandma, love the idea of outbuidings and gathering places! But then we'd never see our kids!
"Green" building
Ana,
To avoid echoing too many of the other comments.. (Whole-heartedly agree on the shared space, btw. My in-laws have one for their g-ma. It's a small 1BR, 1BA, 1 story, ADA compliant house, but has a 4 season room for the large holiday, birthday, celebratory gatherings. My father in-law actually built it using the shell of a three car garage.) But as for being green, perhaps consider looking at the LEED rating system for some ideas. Guidelines and a plethora of info can be found on the USGBC website for LEED Homes http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=147
Thank you and thank you for
Thank you and thank you for the super useful link!
Building for Older Adults
Like you mentioned, your moms don't need these things now, but someday they will, and its wonderful that you are keeping that in mind. I finished my master's degree in Gerontology last summer, and the home environment was discussed often. Here's a checklist that may help:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/pdfs/FCS-461.pdf
It's a bit lengthy, so here are just a few things that come to mind when housing older adults: using lever-type handles instead of rounded door or sink knobs, one type of flooring throughout house, and hallways and outdoor spaces have enough room to add handrails if needed. Good luck! What a great way to honor your mothers.
Would never have thought of
Would never have thought of lever handles on doors! Thanks for the check list, it'll help immensely with the planning!
Momplex
Some things to consider from a woman around your mom's age or older:
- Concrete floors are a killer on your body and bones as you age (regardless of how physically active or healthy a person is).
- Carpet is a real killer (slipping and falling on it) so don't carpet
- You can cover the concrete with a flooring that will make it better such as vinyl/stone-like tiles
- A large, shared common area for those family gatherings would be fabulous
- If the living areas are going to be small, make the walls 9 feet high instead of 8 (you can get sheet rock that is 4 foot wide and 5 foot wide, place it sideways and you have the 9 feet high walls covered) - the 9 foot height give the appearance of such a larger space
- Use levers for the doors instead of knobs - wow, what a difference
- Check out IKEA for incredible storage solutions for small areas - I consider them the ultimate storage "go to" place
- Definitely 2x6s, not 2x4s. Our house (in northeast Mississippi) was built with 2x6s and it is so energy efficient
- Measure your mothers height before installing kitchen counters and adjust the counter height to them
- Good lighting - as we age our eyesight gets worse and good lighting can make a real difference
Thats my input Ana. Good luck and I look forward to your updates on the project. I am an ardent fan of yours and you've taught me a lot over the past year plus.
Thank you and now you are
Thank you and now you are teaching me tons! I love the 9 foot wall suggestion! Especially in a efficient ranch style space where most rooms will be flat ceilinged.
Efficient Wood Burning Heating
You might want to take a look at something called a Rocket Mass Heater for winter warmth. It burns small pieces of wood in a double combustion chamber. The heat is absorbed into a big thermal mass made from gravel and bricks. It can be built into an adobe style seat to provide seating. I haven't built one, but I've looked at a lot of examples. One guy said he went from 7 cords of wood/winter to 1/2 cord all winter. The double combustion chamber means no smoke and low temperature exhaust. The fire exhausts through a bunch of piping buried in the thermal mass/adobe seat, so it keeps radiating heat. There's very little in the way of ash to clean out.
Here's one link. I like the folks at permies.com, a site devoted to permaculture and green living.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmYaIrHRMLM
Very interesting stuff - will
Very interesting stuff - will have to do some checking into this! Our home wood boiler is Energy Efficient and still burns ten cords a winter!
Building, building, and more building
I have to say that I have been wanting to build a chicken coop, but was nervous about building a "house" that a real live animal would have to live in and depend on. However, now that I know you are taking on the momplex project, it makes a coop look easy!! Thanks for your inspiration!!
So sorry I haven't got to a
So sorry I haven't got to a chicken coop plan - been drawing them, but just haven't got time to build one! Maybe the Momplex should have a Chicken Coop - my mom would love it! And I would love the fresh eggs!
One note, as we build, many of you might not be interested in owner building a home, but the techniques that you will see can apply to building a shed or a chicken coop or adding on to your home, or even just understanding how walls are built for remodeling.
Chickens are great
I have friends who raise them, and the eggs and meat are way better than what you can buy in a super market. The one downside is that chickens are more vulnerable to predators than most other livestock. My friend is currently at war with a racoon who has wiped out half his stock.
please do!!
As a new backyard chicken-er, I have completely become obsessed with my beautiful feathered lawn decorations and the perfect eggs I collect everyday! Everyone should have them!! But, yes, keeping them dry and safe from their one-thousand-natural-predators is the absolute hardest part about keeping chickens. Well-built chicken coops cost $800+ and plans for the perfect coop would be soooo appreciated! I can't wait to see what you come up with! I love the look of mine (but had to pay my neighbor to build it) and it was partially made from discarded wood fencing. http://thefairyandthepumpkin.typepad.com/the-fairy-the-pumpkin/2011/06/t...
Guest, If you want to build
Guest, If you want to build right away and money isn't an object, Lowe's has a free plan online (very pricey--hopefully Ana's will be more economical!):
http://www.lowescreativeideas.com/idea-library/projects/Fowl_Play_0511.aspx
Building, building, and more building
I have to say that I have been wanting to build a chicken coop, but was nervous about building a "house" that a real live animal would have to live in and depend on. However, now that I know you are taking on the momplex project, it makes a coop look easy!! Thanks for your inspiration!!
Building, building, and more building
I have to say that I have been wanting to build a chicken coop, but was nervous about building a "house" that a real live animal would have to live in and depend on. However, now that I know you are taking on the momplex project, it makes a coop look easy!! Thanks for your inspiration!!
Me too!
I haven't had the confidence to build a chicken coop (plus I am concerned about the chickens in bad weather times). But if Ana can build houses, then surely we could build a miniature one!
Okay, I PROMISE, I will make
Okay, I PROMISE, I will make time for a simple chicken coop plan! I just keep seeing the ultra fancy ones and think . . . hmmmm . . . I need fancy :)
you guys are reading my mind,
you guys are reading my mind, i was just talking to my uncle about adding a chicken coop to our vegetable garden! and i thought hmm i should see if ana has a plan.
if this is helpful at all,
if this is helpful at all, here are pictures of my neighbor building me a coop from free wood we collected from craigslist adverts. I love the finished coop. the coop itself is insulated between the inner walls and the outer panels (old fence slats). The frame for the chicken run is bolted down into the cement pad to keep predators from digging under and into the run (I lost my first flock from raccoons and a fox). I know this isn't the best post (there are so many better ones) but I started also not knowing how to go about it & not realizing I might be able to do it myself!
http://thefairyandthepumpkin.typepad.com/the-fairy-the-pumpkin/2010/11/t...
good luck!
Building, building, and more building
I have to say that I have been wanting to build a chicken coop, but was nervous about building a "house" that a real live animal would have to live in and depend on. However, now that I know you are taking on the momplex project, it makes a coop look easy!! Thanks for your inspiration!!
Ana, you probably already
Ana, you probably already know this (because you are a genius!), but if you are looking to max out R-values you should look into structural insulated panels. It's where the industry is going. Savings of about 50% in energy costs, and they are simple to put together. They are more expensive than stick/frame built houses, but the savings you get in energy more than makes up for the cost.
Hi Bethany, I actually don't
Hi Bethany, I actually don't know a ton about SIPS - up here in Alaska, we tend to be a little behind, would love to learn more!
I am so excited
to follow you on this journey! Thank you so much for being willing to share it with us.
I don't know if SIPs are a DIY product, but I do think they are worth looking into. If I ever get to build, this type of system is definitely on my list.
At our local Wal-Mart, we have stamped concrete inside both entrances. It looks nice, but I DREAD taking a shopping cart across them. The cart chatters like crazy; it is bumpy and loud and uncomfortable. I can't imagine having to navigate my entire house in a wheelchair over that stuff. I agree with others that a softer surface would be more pleasant, on feet or on wheels.
I also agree that radiant heating in the floor is the way to go. I'm in my early forties, and winter chill in my feet and ankles is already getting almost painful. My feet are always colder than the rest of me, and heat rises, so it makes sense to heat the floor first. It is supposed to be very efficient, too. I think companion pets would love it!
I love the common space ideas. If you don't want to divide the units with an intermittently heated space, you can put a large gathering room on the back, leaving room for private patio space and windows to the individual units on either side. That way you keep the heat at the building core.
Great ideas, I'm so glad so
Great ideas, I'm so glad so many of you love the common space idea! And the radiant heat floors, I've been on the fence, but you have all convinced me, it's the way to go for comfort! We've done radiant heat before so looking forward to using our experience again!
A few thoughts . . .
1. Stairs will keep your mom younger. Studies have shown this. So, even if it's just up to a loft space (bunkroom for grandkids? ;o), have a second story & stairs. Yes, stairs take up square footage, but the health return is tremendous.
2. Concrete makes a VERY HARD floor surface; think a broken hip or arm or wrist. We all fall from time to time, regardless of age . . . but when you're getting up there with more brittle bones, concrete can be fatal. Linoleum, hardwood, low-pile wool carpet . . . far fewer broken bones. (And dishes. And goose eggs on grandchildren's heads.)
3. Air-to-air heat exchanger. They are kinda spendy, but the efficiency increase & fresh air are huge benefits. Alaska has amazing, fresh air . . . but what good is it if the house is sealed tight eight months of the year? Indoor air quality is a big concern in green buildings, and this is a great way to ensure it.
4. I'm going rogue here, and saying go with wood heat. I live in N Idaho, and if your property has even an acre or two treed, you can heat your home for very little money. (Even paying someone else to get your wood in.)
I can't wait to see what you come up with!!!
Annalea, this is very
Annalea, this is very interesting about stairs keeping you younger. This is what my mom said, living easy makes you lazy . . . I like this idea! Then we could do a bedroom on the main level for when Mom is much older and stairs are too much.
Thank you again, always look forward to your wisdom and advice!
Now you got me thinking . . .
Now you got me thinking . . .
Found this article
http://impowerage.com/fitness/activities/the-benefits-of-walking-for-sen...
If we got them used to stairs at 60, they'd be in shape for them at 80 and beyond . . . hmmmm . . . you are such a smart lady!
South windows
No one has mentioned this yet but its the easiest way to build green! Make sure your main area and windows all face south. In the winter the sun will come in really deeply and heat your house wonderfully and in the summer the sun moves higher in the sky (well...not that the sun actually moves...the earth moves) so the sun doesn't come in your windows so its cooler. You will be AMAZED at how much less you have to heat your home if you have a bunch of south facing windows! We live in cold country and if its a sunny day we definitely don't use the heater as much. If its always cloudy then that would be a problem. And yes, definitely do 2x6 to get more insulation in. Good luck!
Definitely! Thanks for the
Definitely! Thanks for the advice, will be considering for sure! Thank you!
SIPs are definitely something
SIPs are definitely something to look into. You might be able to do your own version, use that as sheathing, and insulate the interior wall as well for some super-insulation.
Do you know what your garden zone is? That would give us 'southerners' a feel for what you need to think about while building. (average lows) Here's an easy tool to find your zone: http://www.gardenweb.com/zones/zip.cgi
We are in zone 6 . . . pretty
We are in zone 6 . . . pretty limiting what we can grow up here! Broccoli does well! I like the idea of SIPS but they aren't used up here. That could be a climate thing, or it could be a supplier thing, we aren't sure yet and will have to do some looking into it. We are also considering ICFs - used them on our crawlspace in our home, and loved how easy and efficient they are, not to mention it's a solid windproof concrete wall in the end.
Definitely 2x6
Agree with the commenter above who suggested 2x6 instead of 2x4 construction for exterior walls. If your building code allows construction of 2x6 24" on center, the extra lumber cost will not be significant. And you will be able to really load up the insulation.
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Conservation/Insulation/WallFraming...
Don't know if you've seen it, but that whole site (builditsolar.com) has some great info on green building in general, not just solar.
Thanks for the link! We did
Thanks for the link! We did 2x6 construction, 24" centers for our house, and it's pretty efficient, so that is the planned direction for stick framing.
sound proofing
Sound proofing in the shared wall, it will keep the peace! I've lived in far to many military duplexes and the noise from another person/family grows very irritating very quickly. You guys are doing a great thing.
Thanks, and we'll be
Thanks, and we'll be definitely putting this on the list. We want each Mom to feel like she has her own home, but for us, it's just more cost effective to build both of their homes in one - shared lot, shared septic, shared foundation, shared driveway - all things we have to DIY up here in Alaska. Thanks for taking your time to give us advice, it's much appreciated!
Forethought
REALLY looking forward to following you on this journey ... But please hurry! Hahaha hubby and I bought the family farm; 170-year old house needs burned, which means we'll get the chance to build our own home -- and I need to steal your ideas. We're both in our early 30s and this will be our forever home, so we've already decided on one-story and will make it handicap friendly, both for our own later years and also because his mother is soon going to be confined to a wheelchair. Absolutely hoping you get a jump on this. Can't wait to read!
Oh Andrea, I can't wait too!
Oh Andrea, I can't wait too! You will have to share your home with us too!
Lighting
Hi Ana,
I wanted to share with you something my cousin did in his house. He bought a church and an old house and pieced them together so "recycle" products. He also has a wood burning furnace which although it's efficient he's got a bad back and chopping and carrying all of the wood isn't the best idea.
One of the coolest things that he has in his house is the lighting. They basically don't ever pay for their electrical lights. They have huge energy efficient windows in every room but they also have solar tubes. http://www.solatube.com/ (This isn't exactly the product they have but it's the same idea) What it is is like a skylight but you can run the tube through your house (or have many of them) and then create openings in the tube or "lights" in the ceiling of your house. The light then reflects down the tube and lights your whole house.
Every time I'm there I'm amazed at just how bright the house is, even in the evening with the setting set. It's all about optics and using the natural light. I would definitely recommend it and if you wanted to contact him for more information just let me know!
Good luck!
What a cool project your
What a cool project your cousin took on, sounds interesting and innovative! Will definitely check into solatube, sounds interesting!
Something else I thought of
Something else I thought of last night is a common mud room/main entry. A place for everyone to some in and shake off the cold. Build a few lockers for boots and coats....then go in to living spaces for visiting.
Also for space saving, have you seen closet rods that pull down? Allow much more height for closet space. They also make similar units for cabinets - and shelves come out and down.
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Reval-32-inch-Pull-down-
Wardrobe-Lift/3987005/product.html
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10842
Love it! Thanks for sharing
Love it! Thanks for sharing links, and I like the idea of smart closets! Especially in small spaces.
Another Green Idea
Ana - you rock! When my kids get older, I'm going to tell them about you. Maybe they'll want to build me a house too. :)
Anyway, you mentioned wanting to be green and save your moms money too. I know solar panels won't work in AK with only a few hours of sunlight in certain months of the year. But, what about wind? I live in Pennsylvania, and there are quite a few homes around here with small windmills to help bring down the power bills. They're relatively inexpensive (compared to geothermal and solar), not too aesthetically intrusive, and a nice way to cut those power bills down to a manageable level.
I too was also thinking about an out-building of some sort for family gatherings. Sort of like an enclosed pavillion. You could install either a small propane heater or a wood stove to heat it when needed and have it be a multi-purpose room for family dinners, grandkid sleep-overs, Christmas morning gift opening, etc. That sounds like so much fun!
Krista, thanks! Our
Krista, thanks!
Our newspaper is called the Delta Wind because of the wind LOL! It's horrible here, and I'll soon be sharing the lot we choose, and it BLOWS up there! However, because it's a residential area, not sure what type of windmill we could use - will be looking into this for sure!
It's going to be fun, especially with so many friends on board!
Stairs in your Model.
Ana... as a 55 year old with a very bad knee, you model with all those stairs makes me cringe.. I came from a house with a full basement and a full second story, stairs everywhere. This house we are building now is all on one floor. We only have 3 steps to go up to get from the carport into the mudroom. Some days, those 3 steps are almost more than I can handle. I know that you say that your moms are in excellent health and active, but that status can change in a hearbeat (twist something slipping on the ice, or [God forbid!] a fall). Then comes constructing a ramp. IMHO, make # of stairs (or lack of stairs) a MAJOR design consideration. Cant wait to follow your progress!!
We've actually come up with
We've actually come up with two models, the one with the hidden door being the "stair" model, and then another that is a ranch. Haven't made a decision, think we should leave that up to the moms. I hear ya!
stairs
if your mothers like the idea of stairs for now, think about framing for the possibility of using a stair lift in their older years, they dont take up much space and you also wouldnt need to install them if/when they need them.
Universal design resource
Ana, you'd be very wise to aim for a single-story Momplex. I had two elderly neighbors die from falling, one down stairs, and one off a ladder. The stairs are a nightmare for my disabled father, though he claims they aren't. Sometimes, we have to ignore our parents and go with what we think is best. :) What you will find is that the person will tend to live in one small area of the home, and act as if nothing is wrong. I have noticed this with more than just my own father. Why not create a home where each and every square inch will be accessible, no matter the circumstance?
We were hoping to have a builder custom-build since my father is physically disabled, but have found it to be too expensive. When we were considering this option, I found a free PDF guidebook on the VA's website. It contains excellent tips for "universal design." I wish all homes were built this way--you also never know when you'll have "differently-abled" friends who'd like to visit!
The book is called: Handbook for Design: Specially Adapted Housing for Wheelchair Users
If designed properly (I know you can do it!) these types of homes can look just as pretty as any other home. And they'll look better if made this way upfront, rather than retrofitted when needed. The book is a wonderful resource, with drawings that will help you envision a perfect home.
Garage Idea
I see in one of your comments that you are wanting to put the two garages together so you can have a shared driveway (less expense, and less snow removal), but if you put a garage on each end of the duplex, it would help insulate the living areas of the two units as it would block the cold air and the wind. Just an idea. :) Good luck and I can't wait to hear about everything!
Fireplace
I do not know if you are planning fireplaces, but one idea is a heat accumulating fireplace. They store the heat, and heat the house long after the fire is out. It seems like you can find them in Alaska, too, for example here
http://www.alaskamasonryheat.com/
Amazing!
Ana, I just wanted to comment to let you know that my husband and I are SO looking forward to all the posts about the Momplex! We are thinking about building my mom-in-law her own place one day, so we are so interested to see how the whole process goes!!! Keep it up 'cause we are hooked on your site! Good luck!
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