Out of the Five Basics for Human Survival (Water, Food, Shelter, Heat and Power) we have already covered the first two--Water and Food (Part 1 and Part 2). I've decide to name the property and project: "ALEXANDRIA" (for obvious reasons!).
It is time now to discuss Shelter. In my case, a very basic and small house (or cabin) that is livable but can also be added to later is the goal. I have contemplated and drawn out many different ideas for this dwelling. It is easy to fantasize about having bells and whistles, but when it comes right down to it, the realistic answer for someone with hardly any resources - like myself - is to do the bare minimum, at least to start with.
So this post will focus on "Phase 1" of three phases; the second and third phases to be completed only as resources may allow in the future, with the conservative expectation that they may never even be started.
Here are rough sketches of what the three phases together would look like, if such a completion ever becomes possible...
COMPLETED THREE PHASES
Scale: 1 square = 1 square foot.
Three Phases East Face
Three Phases North Face
Three Phases West Face
Three Phases South Face
In the above "South Face" image, what looks like a middle structure will be Phase 1. The section on the left would be Phase 2 and it would incorporate an indoor growing space for year-round plants. The tower-like structure on the right would represent Phase 3 and it would hold the PV (photovoltaic, or solar) panels and the wind generator (or turbine) at its top.
For a better idea, here is a rough drawing showing what Phase 1 alone will look like...
PHASE 1 DRAWING
Scale: 1 square = 4 square feet.
Phase 1 showing all sides.
Notice that on the North Face there is a windowless section to the left for the placement of the elevated rainwater harvesting tank (at least 50 gallons), which will feed directly into an indoor "water closet" containing a smaller tank (20 gallon).
The small room jutting off the East Face will be the initial Utility Room, housing the battery bank, breaker box, inverter, etc. It will also serve as a small balcony for the Second Floor bedroom, and potentially the base-point for the future Phase 3 tower.
Here are clearer diagrams of Phase 1...
PHASE 1 DIAGRAMS
Phase 1 East Face
Phase 1 North Face
Phase 1 West Face
Phase 1 South Face
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CONTINUING PROGRESS - LATEST UPDATES
* 7/28/2014 Update: This is a basic 3D look at the general shape of the house and the location of windows and doorways...
* 8/23/2014 Update: Shows foundation, floors, framing, windows, doors siding and roof...
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And finally here are drawings of the Phase 1 Interior Layout...
Color Codes and Key: Mahogany = Finished Furniture Surfaces, Dark Brown = Finished Structural Surfaces, Yellow = Porcelain, Green = Soft Furniture, and Black = Cast Iron/Metal Fixtures. Dotted perpendicular lines in the walls show the edges of windows. Solid parallel lines in the walls show wiring terminating in outlets. Diagonal lines in the walls show doorways.
First Floor includes a kitchen sink, bathroom with shower and sawdust composting toilet, wood stove (with a wood box that is loadable from the outside), large couch doubling as a guest bed, small desk with chair, water closet (with point of service water heater and transfer pump), a stairway/ladder (far left), and eight AC outlets.
Second Floor includes an open loft-style area--far left (with a railing, overlooking the First Floor and stairway/ladder), a large bookshelf, large desk, small bed stand, full-sized bed, and four AC outlets. Shelves will be used instead closet space in Phase 1.
I will add an updated floor plan in diagram form when I am able. But the above gives a good idea for now.
That's it for today! Thanks so much for following along on this project. Please make a contribution by clicking the "Donate" button at the top right of this page if you are able, and/or "share" this blog with your friends and neighbors on Facebook, Google+, Twitter and email!
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Property Update: I'm still very interested in the 1.5 acres in St. Albans that I mentioned in a previous blog post. It would be a $5,000 purchase. To avoid getting a loan, I plan to do a kind-of crowd sourcing fundraiser, more on that to come!
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