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Rain Forest building

CloudHidden | Posted in Construction Techniques on May 10, 2002 04:55am

Anyone ever build in a tropical rain forest environment? I’m trying to anticipate all the unique considerations in the design of a house in such a location. If you have suggestions, I’d love to hear them. Three questions get this started:

#1. Owner wants to use recycled plastic decking. No problem. But he also wants a porch cantilevered about 4′. From what I’ve seen, even the reinforced plastic stuff has less stability (greater deflection) than wood, and might not accommodate such a use. Just started research, so may find otherwise. Also checking with manuf of course. But thought there might be some experience here to point in right directions.

#2. I’d like the design to include a two-story atrium/courtyard w/ stairway (realizing that what I want doesn’t really matter, but the ideas gotta start somewhere). Owner is concerned that keeping glass and frames clean and mildew-free in such a rainy & humid environ would be prohibitive, even though it’d look cool. Any ideas on dealing with this?

#3. Any one here build on Maui? (No, he’s not offering T&L at this point.)

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  1. DavidThomas | May 15, 2002 02:13am | #1

    1. Isn't the plastic decking only decking, not joists?  Seems like the plastic would be great for termite resistance and, if it holds up to the UV, great all around.  But you still need some real wood to hold it up and hold it together.  Sounds like a job for PT wood.  But for low maintence in that environmental the fake decking could be good.  I use cedar myself, but we don't have termites, high humidity or hot sun in this state.

    2. Be aware of the greenhouse effect.  Lots of glass is great but not in a greenhouse or atrium layout.  Rather, place a large overhang or porch roof over the windows so you have light and views without all the solar gain.

    3. Only sand castles.

    David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
    1. User avater
      CloudHidden | May 15, 2002 02:44am | #3

      They make structural timbers and posts, too. They have a higher...umm...lower...ummm...worse modulus of elasticity than same-sized good quality wood, so I have their engineering dude looking into it. If they're gonna sell it, then they can help out in determining it's applicability. Still waiting for an answer. PT is out. This will house some international conservation exhibits and symposiums, and PT isn't green enough for that crowd. :)

      Good points on the atriums, etc. A friend who's been in that environ has given the same advice. I thought with airflow from underneath we might avoid humidity issues, but I'm convinced to not do it. Client liked the atrium, but not for this site. No loss, be/c two clients who saw the rendering the subsequent two days each wanted it. I always do the deep overhangs, so we'll retain that.

      As always, thanks for the insights...

      1. DavidThomas | May 15, 2002 02:51am | #4

        Seems like however flimsy they are, a big enough member would do the trick.  You could also sandwhich some 1/4" stainless  steel between two plastic joists for some incredible stiffness. 

        You'll note that my second solution still involved the use of chromium, but maybe in a less objectionable form.David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska

        1. User avater
          CloudHidden | May 15, 2002 04:13am | #5

          ng that with depth-of-beam, too. Surely a 2x8 (or x10 or x12 or ...) would support what a 2x4 wood timber would. But of course, the engineer has the final say.

          And a flitch plate is a great idea! I'll let you know what the company has to say.

          ps. My uncle worked for the NJ Zinc Company his whole career, so I'd get him to help sell it as EC (environmentally correct). 'Course, the meeting would have to be other than w/in 10 miles of the processing plant, be/c there's not a tree or grass lawn to be found. Might turn off those "Save the Rain Forest" types!

          Edited 5/14/2002 9:19:13 PM ET by Cloud Hidden

          1. Handydan | May 15, 2002 10:21am | #6

            Hey Cloud, Aloha!!

            I have spent the last three years just one rock to the South of Maui so I may be of some help.  You should try to find out about the climate specific to the exact building sight, it can vary an awful lot in just a short distance.  The key factor to happiness in my opinion, is airflow.  Catch all the tradewinds that you can, try for some convection if you are going two stories, or open beam ceilings are popular over here, and when all else fails, they make solar fans for about 550 each that are the "bom".  Just installed two last week for a customer, who is very pleased.   Think ventilation is good, heat bad, humidity worse.  Good luck, and make sure you gert a sight visit in there somewhere.

            Dan

  2. DavidThomas | May 15, 2002 02:38am | #2

    Would zinc on the windows help keep down the mildew, or does that only work for moss?  Don't know.  Just a thought.

    David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
  3. 4Lorn1 | May 20, 2002 11:57pm | #7

    I have always liked the look of this style house. The one I visited seemed very nice.

    http://www.phys.ufl.edu/~liz/home.html

    If I ever get a chance to build a house of my own it might look something like this. Many sound principles are incorporated.

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