WikiHouse in USA

[alastair]

By demand also, a thread to connect teams, collaborators and potential build projects in the USA (Even though it's quite a large country.. apparently...)

[nick]

We are:

 The Charleston Fab Lab LLC.
 referred to as The CFL.

Located in:

Charleston, South Carolina
 eastern time zone


Find us on the web at:

https://www.facebook.com/TheCharlestonFabLab

[Patrick Beseda]

Hi, I'd like to introduce a new project that utilizes the WikiHouse system that we are developing in Colorado. Project FOUNDhouse is a 150 sf (14 sq m) house for two people. We are taking advantage of the ease of construction, adaptability of the design, and ability to be deconstructed easily to make it a mobile microhouse. The team is currently myself, and one other Master of Architecture student, Lacy Graham.

We are holding two different stages of fundraising starting this next week in order to construct the first prototype this summer. We are using Kickstarter.com in order to raise enough to begin fabrication in the next 3 weeks, and then we'll be accepting donations through gofundme.com for the rest of the summer and fall. We're excited to work on a house based on WikiHouse and we'll of course keep the community updated on the progress.

You can check out the beginnings of the project at FOUNDhouse.cc. We will be updating the website, and via google groups often, as I'm sure we'll have questions along the way.

Check back here in a day or two for a link to our Kickstarter! and let us know what you all think!

 

[nick]

Nice work Patrick! how are you guys addressing code? we have been trying to tackle the issues ourselves and were working under the premise that if we stayed under 200 sq/ft that we were safe. I am thinking that non permanent (mobile home) may be the path to travel at this point. We also have been researching code for SIP construction as an option. Keep it up!

Nicholas

[Patrick Beseda]

The project will be under the distinction of installation, or art installation so while we are making prototypes there's not permanent residency. In Denver, there is a clause in the Municipal Code that says,

"Temporary housing means any tent, trailer coach, or other structure used for human shelter that is designed to be transportable and that is not attached to the ground, to another structure, or to any utilities system."

Temporary housing is excluded from the definition of a "dwelling" which requires all the regulations applied to housing in the Munipal Code. Also the standard "Permit Exempt Work" clause from the IBC 2009 which Denver has adopted:

"1. One-story detached accessory buildings or structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses,not to exceed 120 square feet (11 m2) of projected roof area or a maximum height of 8 feet above finished grade."

We think that between these two clauses, plus some honest conversations with the building department, the FOUNDhouse may have a chance at actual occupancy. We would need to get a generous inspector who's in a very good mood. Making the case that it is non-permanent, and small enough to not require a permit may work.

[nick]

Wow. That is some great information. We need to chat at some point. I have got some great, compact plumbing and mechanical items. Like a portable tankless hot water heater with shower. It hooks up to a standard LP propane cylinder like for a gas grill. Also have a super efficient throughwall 8k BTU thruough wall Ac/ heatpump. Very compact. copious amounts of PEX pipe and push on quick connect fittings as well as Tracpipe flexible gas line and fittings.

[Patrick Beseda]

Thanks for the info Nick. I would love the specs or the suppliers you have for those kind of things, we are working through so many options.

We just launched the fundraising for our build. If you're interested, take a look and let me know what you think. The Kickstarter funding will cover just the plywood purchase, the rest we will have to raise somehow!

Here's the link: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pbeseda/foundhouse-a-mobile-microhouse

Tell your friends!

[Brian Korsedal]

Hi,

It's time for my group to go out in the wilderness and start building.  If there are people in America who want to build ASAP, let me know.  We love to build.

This is my group:  www.arcologynow.com

We'd be interested in cohabitating with a wikihouse team. 

If you know anyone in the Open Source Ecology team, we're evaluating the feasibility of buying some land next to them.  It would be awesome to start a hotbed of development in the USA.

We'll hopefully start construction in spring/summer of next year.

[Brian Korsedal]

I think we are going to relocate to Crestone, CO early next year.  I have to sell a house or two to pay for it.  The reason I like Crestone is because there aren't any building codes and there is a history of architectural experimentation.  I'll be getting 40+ acres near the main road.  I like the main road because I want people to stop and stare at what we are doing.  It's good for publicity.  Also, because I'll be using the site for my factory.

If you are interested in living this lifestyle, let me know.

-Brian

[alastair]

Patrick (and Lucy) – Super-excited about the project. I feel bad because I completely missed your Kickstarter funding - but it looks like you nailed it! If along the way, design-wise, or anything else wise in negotiating practicalities of stuff you think we (London WikiHouse team) can be any kind of use - please do email / tweet / skype us!

Alastair

[Brad Jensen]

I am interested in starting up a WikiHouse project in Detroit MI.  My immediate goal is to set up a chassis for the Detroit Design Festival. 

[Brad Jensen]

So the Detroit Design Festival set-up is going well.  We will use TechShop Detroit as our workshop and they are providing in-kind and administrative support.  In two days we will find out if our grant application has been approved and if we can move forward. I have not yet gotten the plugin to work correctly so I am currently just playing graphics files on the open library to see how they would work in VCarve.  I will keep you up to date as we progress.  I would also like to hear from anyone in the Detroit area who is interested in cooperation.  

[Ben Sumner]

I am currently starting my design, a modified version of WikiHouse v3.0 which is to be built to US standard sizes of sheeting and whatnot. I had some questions as far as what you all would think is best practice.

Standard sheeting sizes in the US are 4' x 8' I am not sure what size they are in UK or where most of these designs are from, but it appears slightly smaller.

I have no architectural experience at all, but am very well versed in 3D modeling for artistic purposes. I hope that by mostly copying the WikiHouse 3.0 design (like a fox) that I will maintain the structural integrity.  I wonder though, almost everything will change, the thickness of the board, the widths of the dogbone incuts, the construction grid etc etc. Looking at that, would it be easier for me to keep to metric and simply convert 4'x8' into metric and work from there?

How does the wikihouse plugin for sketchup currently work? It seems when I download a house file and click to make the cutting plans that the shits are hardcoded to a UK standard sheet size, can I change that? If not I have no idea how to get my cutting files when I'm done.

Lastly, building code. What are teh current hurdles that we havent figured out how to cross? I seems like as long as you install proper plumbing, electric, and build the foundation as code would require that it should be possible to get a design that would pass US building code.  If not I may have to build this thing on a trailer :/

On Thursday, June 6, 2013 9:04:24 AM UTC-4, alastair wrote:

[nick]

Ben,

1220mm x 2440mm is the sheet size overall. 18mm thickness which is approximately 45/64's imperial measurement. which is rounded out to 23/32's but most commonly 11/16's which is just under 3/4. So in the U.S., we use 3/4.  If you are using imported ply, the 3/4 designation will probably be 18mm plywood.  However, most domestic manufacturers offer a 23/32 thick sheet. All of the joints will fit nice and tight and will require the usual persuasion of the mallet to go together.

The code issues are that there are no codes for this yet.  I have sought out and spoken with ICC officials and their response in short was, it is not conventional construction with no static table to compare it to. Obviously, seismic and storm strapping is a start. 


The closest construction type that is out there is SIP construction.  I have researched all of the available code requirements for it and believe that is how it needs to be presented.

In my opinion, nesting the parts on the sheets for a higher yield and more efficient use of the material is where optimization is needed. As with any new product, there will be improvements that can only be discovered through the actual work be performed to create it. So build away! 

Nicholas

[Brad Jensen]

I use VCarve for nesting.  It seems to work well.  Send me your vector files and I will give it a go.

[nick]

Look at the CNC thread in wikihouse hardware group for the DIY cnc links. The blackfoot cnc has a wood chassis. If you have a cnc shop close by as you say, i would recommend starting there first. It is always good to borrow some elses learning curve to help get your bearing in the beginning.

Nicholas

[Mike Caskey]

Did this ever happen?

[Anil]

Hi Everyone,

Quick intro, I'm a Hackathon and Makerfaire evangelist, I've been working in community development for the past 5 years in Orange County and Southern California. I'm super stoked to learn about WikiHouse and have actively been learning about all the components to build a prototype.

So here's where I'm at, I was able to Import the model into Sketchup, Nest the files from Sketchup into SVG which can now be opened in CorelDraw. 

What I'm trying to do next is build a 'scaled down' prototype (preferably on an Epilog laser cutter) so that we can test it, but I think the thickness of the material becomes the biggest challenge. 

The CNC is capable of doing mm and inches, however all the material is in inches. So I worked out some measurements based on 1/4" thick wood we have.

Height - 16.959 in

Width - 33.919 in

Thickness - 0.25 in

Could someone please let me know if these numbers seem ok, before I test it?

Also if anyone is interested in collaborating further here in the USA, would be awesome to talk more.

Best

Anil

[Anil]

Hi Nick, 

I'm on the West Coast, let me know if you have time for a chat, would be awesome to see the progress you've made.

Best

Anil

[Anil]

Hi Brian,

I'm interested in learning more about the project, Your website is down, let me know where I can learn more.

[Daniel]

Hey Anil,

I may be doing the same thing as you in the coming month... that is, building a scale model of the wikihouse system using an Epilog laser cutter. I've just barely been assigned to the project so there is still plenty of learning me to do. I can see where the material thickness will cause problems in the scaled down version because all of the mortise joints will need to be offset by a particular amount. I will be using 1/4 plywood as well for the model. Anyways, I'd like to see your progress on this project, if you are willing to share, and likewise I'll share mine. The goals of my project are to understand the concept of the wikihouse fully before ramping it up to a full scale build. Anyways, I'll post back here once I start making progress on my model. 

...from Houston  

-Daniel

[Harry Knight]

Hey Anil and Daniel,

I've copied in Eric who may be able to provide a few insights around thickness of material and doing scaled models. Also Akiko has recently done a 1:3 model which worked quite well.

H

[Anil Pattni]

Thanks Harry,

Apologies for the delay, was traveling up north. Looking forward to the insights.

Akiko,

It's a pleasure to meet you, it would be great to see your 1:3 scaled down model and if you could share the skp file along with material and thickness you used, that would be awesome.

Look forward to learning more.

Best

Anil

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