Our House

Describing the construction overview is difficult because as I start to explain the general stages, I get caught up in the minutiae of the construction process and must rein myself in to just explaining the broad strokes. Getting caught up is not a bad thing. I end up considering things I have not yet considered, and everything I can plan out before I start construction is an answered question. Answered questions actually speed up the process.

The actual configuration of the pods interior is not correctly rendered here. You’ll need to look at The last page in The Progress of Design for the most current layout.

Before the first pod can be constructed lots of other construction stuff has to happen. The PAHS tubing must be buried. I am having a huge debate with myself on how/when to do the PAHS insulating/waterproofing. I really want the best of all worlds, of course. Who doesn’t. And I want to “undo” the minimum amount of stuff through the construction process.

Do I insulate and weatherproof the ground around the first pod or put that task off until the second pod is complete?

I don’t think there’s any way to truly protect the entire PAHS umbrella fabric through three rounds of construction. Logic says do the cheapy PAHS umbrella (layers of hay/straw and visqueen done in stages and layers as the pods are built). Once the final pod construction is complete, tear up the temporary umbrella and install the permanent version. Or, install the temporary umbrella deep enough to install the permanent right over the top. I think temporary to start is the way to go.

Once the second pod is complete we can go into holding mode for a while. Below is the “just us” configuration. It’s enough room for us to be comfortable. It’s actually 64 square feet bigger than the last “real” house we lived in.

At this point the permanent PAHS umbrella can be installed on the north, northwest, northeast, east and southeast sides of the master bedroom pod where it will be protected by the driveway and the permanent brick patios and landscaping. It’s the blue area in the image below. It actually won’t have corners (top left and right) and there are trees there. I want to stay back from the tree roots with the PAHS umbrella so the tree isn’t deprived of water and nutrition.

I can build a semi-circular greenhouse in the angle where the two front pods join when the final two pods are in place. This can act as an entry as well as a place to put the larger of my house plants.

Below is the final layout once construction is complete, the “it’s ready to sell” configuration. The final pod on the left will have a bathroom that will open out onto the patio.