Designers welcomed...

mikeschn · January 12, 2006, 09:11:58 PM

I've got a challenge for anyone who is interested...

Starting with this microcottage... http://www.backroadhomes.com/noff/tcmicro.html

I would like to add space for a chest freezer... and two computer desks... Also a little storage on the first floor wouldn't be bad. A back door would be a wonderful bonus...

Any suggestions...?

Mike...

glenn kangiser · January 12, 2006, 10:45:11 PM

Possibly an addition based on the Little House Plans or part of The Big Enchilada
with access to it from under the stairway -put it on the backside of the kitchen and extend the Micro Cottage roofline over it. That would get you a set of stock plans very inexpensively and allow you to do what you want with the space. From the Micro Cottage plan it looks like there is nothing beyond the kitchen - no windows as designed.

The only other place I see room to add on would be left of the fireplace - the above seems like a better choice though.

January 13, 2006, 12:12:57 AM

The summer I spent in Mexico playing anthropologist, "my" Indians when they needed more room put up another building!

Two could use their laptops while sitting on the bed--stick the printer underneath???

I do agree about two doors. Probably out the bay window--could you have two sections swing out and fold, and still seal against the weather when they're shut? Some sort of travel trailer (store-bought not teardrop) screen arangement on the inside?

Can you tell if that's a little shelf usable for storage behind the gable next to the porch. Not much 'count, but any would help. Failing that, an inexpensive--not to mention ugly--storage building out to the side.

tjm73 · January 13, 2006, 09:22:23 AM

Here's my idea on your question.

I took out the bay type window and added a french door in it's place. It'd still feel open and it'd add a door.

For the extra space you want I added a 12x10 room which would probably be plenty. I put another french door off this room to keep the open feeling of that room flowing like the living/eating area.

I tied the back of the house together with a patio that could be enjoyed as weather allows.

And the 2nd floor remains untouched/unchanged.

mikeschn · January 13, 2006, 09:30:45 AM

I made some small changes to the plan. I kept the width of house 16', but it got slightly longer, and I added a 4' bumpout for the kitchen table and the computer desk.

The second computer desk will have to go upstairs in the bedroom.

TJM,

Your idea of adding the room looks good too. We have a similar room now, but it's 7'6" x 11'.

Mike...

January 13, 2006, 03:02:50 PM

Heres a sligthly more ambitious expansion. A 10x16 addition at the back provides a new and larger kitchen/dining space under a shed roof. Wall of closets for the chest freezer and possible w/d. Kitchen is less visible. Double computer desk in old kitchen location. Possible expansion of second floor by building over the new kitchen, provides new master bedroom and two guest bunks,closets and seating area.

mikeschn · January 13, 2006, 05:17:40 PM

Mark,

I really like what you've done. Can you explain how the roof would look on something like that? And do you think it's something that could be done in 2 stages if need be?

The area that you have set aside for computer desks in the original kitchen might be a little small... but I'll bet we could turn that area into something similar to what we have now. I'm thinking 6x10'

If you don't mind the mess, here is what we have now...

Mike...

Mark_Chenail · January 14, 2006, 03:25:45 PM

Mike: Glad you like the design. That computer counter is about 10' long. If you had drawers on either end for support and upper cabinets for storage, you might be okay. Id have to tinker some to get more counter space for puters. I can do a little drawing of the roof. Might take a day or two, but I will do it. Basically its just another gable intersecting the original one with two shed doors on each side.
Give me a day or so and I will post something.

mikeschn · January 14, 2006, 06:42:19 PM

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with Mark!

Mike...

QuoteMike: Glad you like the design. That computer counter is about 10' long. If you had drawers on either end for support and upper cabinets for storage, you might be okay. Id have to tinker some to get more counter space for puters. I can do a little drawing of the roof. Might take a day or two, but I will do it. Basically its just another gable intersecting the original one with two shed doors on each side.
Give me a day or so and I will post something.

January 15, 2006, 06:36:58 PM

Mike: Heres a new plan with a computer room and two views of the exterior that show the additions.

Let me know what you all think.

Mark

mikeschn · January 15, 2006, 07:03:13 PM

Mark,

I'm really impressed with what you've done, especially since I know you did it in paint, and you had to draw every individual line.

We need to get you hooked up with a program that lets you do more in less time... Now I'm not the expert, but I played with ISMI Floor Plan this morning, and other than needing to peek at the help a couple times, it's really not hard. And you can crank out designs as fast as you can think em up. Just food for thought.

Okay back to the house design. Well, you certainly gave us the computer room that we know and love. I guess there really is no way to integrate that into the main house without making the house larger.

Thanks for taking the time to do this... It really clearifies your thoughts...

Mike...

John Raabe · January 16, 2006, 12:28:42 AM

Nice work once again by our resident designer Mark.

I've taken Mark's design and fit it onto a one page pdf in the download section here:

http://www.countryplans.com/Downloads/Mark-1-15-06.pdf

This will make it easier to print.

tjm73 · January 16, 2006, 09:28:43 AM

An upstairs bathroom over the computer room makes sense to me. Just an personal observation.

John Raabe · January 16, 2006, 11:19:01 AM

That would involve extending the gable back over that section of the buidling but is a good upgrade idea that I would probably do as well. With a steep gable you may only be able to fit in a 1/2 bath.

January 16, 2006, 11:54:03 AM

Even a half bath would be fine.... so you didn't have to go down stairs in the middle of the night to pee.

Mark_Chenail · January 16, 2006, 12:42:04 PM

"Resident Designer" You make me blush John

but thanks for all your kind words.

I agree about the convenience of a half bath on the second floor. You could possibly make the closet on the landing a water closet with a bit of shifting but it would be tight. Extending the gable over the computer room would probably be a simpler solution. Considering how much alteration we have made to the original house particularly on the second floor, it might be simpler to frame the main walls higher than the original design so that you got a 3-4 foot pony wall all around on the second floor and then sprang the roof. This would give a lot more headroom and useable floor space without much expense, give room for the half bath. The house would look a bit taller but I dont think it would hurt the appearance any.

MIKE: I will take a look at ISMI today and let you know what I think.

Mark