What Is Going On?

 

I am beginning to feel the weight of this project! I am not exactly certain what I am doing either! The project appears to have assumed a life of it’s own. On the one hand it is about low-cost, mortgage-free, self-build. On the other it is the story of living architecture. I suppose if all the dynamics of this were known there would be no need to do the project. I have the frame more or less designed now. I need to turn my attention now to doors and windows and to the fine detailing. Keep ahead of the posse who are getting the workshop ready for rock n’ roll.

 

Self building is never that easy. It always seems like a relatively easy option but once you are immersed it is as demanding as a therapist’s silence. First you have to get yout toolkit together. This can be very basic. A saw, a hammer, a square, a pencil, a level. Throw in a bit and brace and a decent ratchet screwdriver and you’re off on a hack. The next thing needed is a place to work. Some form of covered area is best where you operate in all weathers. Then there are the building materials and where these are stored. Under a tarp and up off the ground is good. The tool storage, the work area, the materials storage and the location of the building all need to be carefully related to each other so that you can work effecticvely. Finally, you need decent design information in order to build what it is you wish to build.

 

Design information allows the self-builder to ‘quantify’ the amount of material that is needed to carry out the work. It also provides unformation on how to assemble these materials – giving heights, lengths, opening sizes, etc. Usually a building consists of floor, walls and a roof with openings in these to admit light and people. Without proper design information the self-builder will be lost in a sea of questions not even knowing how much of any particular material to order.