Hello folks!
We are starting down the path to building a small retreat on a coastal island in Georgia. I am interested in reading and researching over the next 24 months so I can get educated. The site has a number of unique design and construction constraints:
No bridge to the island. All equipment and material must arrive by barge. All labor must arrive and leave daily by boat.
Must be built on piers/poles. In the event of a hurricane there will be water. Soil is sand. Vegetation is grasses, live oak, palms, Yellow Pine, and other trees. Must plan for hurricane wind conditions. To the East is 3 miles of marsh and then an opening where the sound meets the Atlantic.
Narrow lot (100′) overlooks tidal river and marsh looking west northwest.
Not interested in fancy or big. Perfection is a “sweep the sand out the front door” place. Good use of space that “feels” right is crucial.
Architecture that fits the region is important.
I am interested in advice on good books to read on subjects from design considerations and plans to tech stuff like hurricane building and pier foundation options. Finding the “right” books that address the needs of this coastal area have not been easy to find. I have been a faithful Fine Homebuilding since the beginning. The magazine has helped me with the never complete task of building my own house. I am hoping the expertise here in the forums will help guide me to information about building further south.
Has anyone had good experience with architects, structural engineers, or builders in the Savannah/Brunswick GA areas?
Are there any quality modular home companies that serve coastal areas and designs? Barging modular sections might be more cost effective than ferrying labor every day.
Any other ideas appreciated.
Thank you.
Abbott
Replies
Sounds like you will want a subscription to "Coastal Contractor" magazine leading into this.
Google it up - a Hanley Woods publication
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Thank you
I am also reading FEMA pubs 54 and 55.
Abbott
Good books you ask. I think if you (or anyone) is going to build a house, a budget of a few hundred dollars for books on all house building topics is essential. Internet's great for spot, specific information but nothing like a 300 page book to explain a topic in detail. And then of course that can give you the knowledge to be able to ask here or elsewhere an intellegent question on a specific aspect of that topic.
So books.....
All of Sarah Susanka's "Not so Big" books. "The not so Big House", "Creating the Not so big House", "Outside the not so big house", etc. The whole series isn't really about creating small houses so much as creating houses that work. Many of the houses she features have been published in FHB.
"Residential and Light Commercial Construction Standards"- Great book on what is normal practice and standards for all house building components.
"Patterns of Home"-10 things that make houses work.
I'm an architect so the above has a design bent and there are many more but that should get you going. Just completed building a house myself.
The best of luck.
Runnerguy
I am already a fan of "Not So Big" titles. Thanks for the other suggestions as well.
I agree a generous budget for books is one of the best investments.
Thanks for the tips.
Abbott
>Patterns of Home"-10 things that make houses work.<
who's the author of that?
Patterns of Home, is pubished by Tauton. The authors are Max Jacobson, Murray Silverstein and Barbera Winslow
I was recently just across the border in Beaufort, SC and there are some extreme measures taken there to preserve the live oaks around houses - not disturbing roots that arch across sidewalks, etc. Not sure what the regulations/desires are for your site, but you may want to check into it before you get too far along in the design.
I don't live around there so I'm afraid I don't have much more to offer, just saw the mention of live oaks in your post.
Do you work there or just stop by on a visit?An old partner of mine moved to Beaufort area and I lost touch with him. Wade Caron was his name.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I live and do nearly all my work (environmental consulting) in Ohio, but the company got a job down there and I recently spent a couple weeks sampling groundwater.
Thanks, thought if you were there you could scout him out for me.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
If you are a construction professional you can likely get a subscription for "Costal Contractor" (mentioned above) for free. Somehow they got me on their list and it just started showing up. It's kinda thin - not really a lot of content, but does have some good articles.
BTW - 100' isn't what I'd calssify as a narrow lot. I guess it is in "Farmville", but in suburban or urban areas 100' is quite wide. Probably costal areas too where land is at a premium. The first thing you need to do regarding that is find out what your setbacks are (if there are any zoning restrictions) so you will know what size your building envelope is so you will know your limits of size and shape of the house.
Really though - and I'm not being a shart a$$ here - regarding costal construction practices, if you are a building type, your first read should be your state's code book. Ours has a number of special requirements for high wind areas.
Also I'd visit every house in the area that is under construction. Take lots of pictures. Here are some from costal NC - just to get you thinking....
Sounds like your quarry is more design oriented though.... Seems like many of those web sites selling house plans have costal or "low country" designs. Also, you might want to read this thread: Need Find Architect and Builder
And this one: Green SPF lumber for framing which talks a bit about the trials and tribulations of island construction project access.
Architecture that fits the region is important
What exactly is the architecture of the region on this island? We've done a few here in Michigan that are very similar in criteria (boated in materials, etc.). I've also done a boathouse in the Bahamas in which everything needed to be floated in. Most difficult part of that job was finding help!
Hey Mon. Next time you build in the Bahamas sign me up! I worked on a church in Marsh Harbour last year. We did find some good help, although we had to loan tools and teach them how to use them. We even found a crane to set the site built trusses.How about treehouses in coastal Ga.? Maybe not so good during hurricanes, but they'd look great in some live oaks. I love that area.