This is a room that I am building to provide a living room for a client who had previously been using an 18′ x18′ space as both living and dining.
The add-on is only about 240 sq ft, but it is a dramatic difference in the house.
The photos (not too good, sorry) show how I took out the corner of the home to add on to adjacent planes of the room, and used a bay clip to make the corner.
These people have a million dollar view, both day and night, and the expanse of glass gives access to it.
Since the photos, I have blocked in a kiva fireplace in the leftmost corner of the add-on and I will start plastering it on Monday.
The heck, you say?
Replies
Heck
Looks good, I lightened one of the pics up but when I went to post it it changed to bit instead of jpeg and was huge so I didnt load it.
It does look nice though, I like the beam!
Thanks, Doug.It's hard to take pictures inside when there is so much light outside. I tried flash/no flash with varying success.
Also, my camera shoots from 38 to 380mm, so in such a small area, it's hard to back up far enough.
My clients are loving the room so far.The heck, you say?
Looks great Heck. I assume the rest of the house has the exposed beam detail? Love that look no matter where it is. BTW, what's the trim on the windows?I get paid to do carpentry. That makes me a professional.
If I work on my own house does that make me a DIY?
Hooker, the main level of the house has round 'vigas'(vee-gaas) spanning 18', they are 4' on center.
Vigas are round logs, in this case they are spruce, peeled with a drawknife.
On top of the vigas and perpendicular to them, are 'latillas' (lateeyas), which are peeled straight branches,about 2" diameter, nailed to the tops of the vigas. I'll try to get a picture of them.
The large beams that were installed to remove the old exterior walls are douglas fir.
All of the wood vigas and beams are finished natural color.
As for the windows, I will do a bullnose drywall wrap on the top and sides. I am currently looking for a source for some fir for the windows sills, to match the fir beams.
HeckThe heck, you say?
Nice work. We looked at quite a bit of land between Albuquerque and Taos, more than a few yrs ago. Never found a fit.
Don't remember ever seeing vigas suspended a couple inches over a beam before. Is that common? I found it a little disconcerting, as in, what are the beams for? Ties?
Thanks also for the kiva fireplace explanation. Pretty sure I've also not seen a fireplace (other than a pit) in a kiva, not that I've been in more than a few, and none of which were beehive shaped. Any idea how that style fireplace came to be called kiva?
Looks like you're having fun there and have a great client.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
VaTom, the beams are there to take the place of the wall assembly that used to be the exterior of the house. I was limited in height by the outer roof assembly that was originally a porch on the right side, so I couldn't raise the beams. The vigas were already there.
The right-hand beam takes care of the loads coming from the roof trusses, and it also helps carry the interrupted left-hand beam, which is carrying the original gable.
This was a solution arrived at to enable us to remove the walls and not have a post in the prior corner of the room.
You know, I don't know where the term 'kiva' came from. I read that some of the buildings built by the Anasazi in the southwest are called kivas. I need to read up on it.
Thanks for the kind words.The heck, you say?
The kiva that you see in places like Chaco Canyon is a religious room, usually sunk down and descended into via ladder. They are big round rooms, and look sort of like they got dropped so they're smooshed (not a perfect sphere). The shape is not too different from a true kiva fireplace (sans the chimney), though in the modern day pretty much anything with stucco on it is called a kiva.
Thanks aimless.....I was going to post, but you beat me to it......The Anasazi ruins are one of the places on our to see list......Also, thanks for your response in the Where Is thread......Off to Tucson, got my groove on, in the shadow of the Rincon...
Have a safe trip, and please do consider coming back for an online visit - you will be sorely missed if you leave.
The road to Chaco is a washboard, there are no facilities there (or at least there weren't when I visited), and it is a long drive in and out. Nevertheless, given a choice between Mesa Verde and Chaco I'd take Chaco (sans children). It is spectacular and beautiful and, thanks to the road, quite uncrowded. Another great place to go is the Puye cliff dwellings. When I went several years ago the tribe still let you climb all over everything. Not sure if they still do, but it was quite an experience and gives just a glimpse of what daily life must have been like. No vertigo allowed!
Chaco.....Thanks....Sounds beautiful....I am making a list......Once we get out there we can travel!!! I also want to go to Canyon de Chelly.......Several of our friends out there have gone there.....Are you familiar with the book Sing Down the Moon? It's about the forced march of the Navajos by Kit Carson.......One of my interests is to also get to know the Navajo rug weavers......I also want to learn how to throw a pot!!Off to Tucson, got my groove on, in the shadow of the Rincon...
Take a look at Walnut Canyon at Flagstaff, worth seeing.The heck, you say?
Thanks, another one to add to our list....Off to Tucson, got my groove on, in the shadow of the Rincon...
Is it pronounced "keeva" or "kye-va"?Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
keeva is what I've always heard.
Heck of a nice job James.
Any shots of the exterior, or did I miss them in the shuffle?
thanks.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Thanks, Big Cal.
I have some shots of the outside in my camera, will not be able to process until this coming weekend.
I took a couple more photos today, will take a few more this week, will post them Sat. or Sun.The heck, you say?
Thank you.
You're getting good at this post-it stuff. Good to see it.
ps, don't forget where you started posting. We could use the bizness.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Nice! I love the glass and the scenery.......You guys amaze me.....
Thanks, Pi. I wish you could see the entire view.
It's like a trap: If I slow down for just a moment to look out, I have to tear myself away to get any work done!
What you can't see in the pictures is a magnificent mountain range skyline for at least 270 degrees.
HeckThe heck, you say?
We're moving to Tucson in 2 weeks! We have no place to call our own yet, but that sure would be a nice view....:)Where is it located? Friends of ours have a house in the shadow of the Catalinas and everytime we walk out there, it takes your breath away...Again, nice work....Off to Tucson, got my groove on, in the shadow of the Rincon...Edit: Our friends also have a Kiva fireplace.....That is one requirement we told our realtor we want.....
Edited 9/26/2005 10:16 am ET by CaroleG4
This house is located about 10 hours driving time fron Tucson (been there, nice place!) north and east, in New Mexico, on the eastern slope of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range.
I have done a few kivas, all a little different from each other.
Good luck in Arizona, it is a magical place. I lived in Flagstaff for 10 years, and I still miss it after being away 13+ now.The heck, you say?
Ah, New Mexico......We are driving out there on the 13th of October.....Our planned trip is going to take us through New Mexico, not sure where.....We plan to spend our last night in Flagstaff and then drive down into Tucson....I know what you mean.....We looked at Flagstaff, but wanted to get away from too much snow....:) But, Tucsonians always drive up into Flagstaff to escape the heat!Off to Tucson, got my groove on, in the shadow of the Rincon...
Come on now Heck, framing a room with that many angles and wood beams is anything but the ordinary room you are making it out to be -- looks great!
By the way, what is a "kiva" fireplace? Is that a brand name? ...because I thought I knew all the different styles...?
Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Thanks, J, this project has been a bit of a challenge, I will admit.
Here is little info on Kiva fireplaces: (found on the web)
Kiva fireplaces are sometimes called beehive fireplaces because their shape resembles the mound shaped hives that bees were once kept in. Basically a kiva fireplace is a modified dome with an opening for the firebox and another on top for the flue. Corner kivas display the mound shape on the exterior much better than wall kivas. Often kivas are equipped with butterfly dampers in the flue rather than at the throat, but most masons create a smoke shelf and install a traditional lever type damper. The good masons place the lever damper at the rear of the firebox which creates pockets around the arch of the firebox wall and the straight line of the damper frame, the other masons place the damper across the top of the firebox opening creating a ledge that acts as a dam and restricts the flow of exhaust gasses. Other than the aforementioned dam, kiva fireplaces are very efficient at expelling gasses because their shape channels the flow.True kiva fireplaces are constructed of adobe bricks, rammed earth about 12 inches wide, 18 inches long, and 4 inches tall, which gives the structure considerable mass. Once heated this mass conducts, convects, and radiates its stored heat into the surrounding environment. True kivas are probably the most efficient open fireplace ever designed. Most kivas are constructed of cinder blocks now, but they are still much more efficient than a traditional open fireplace.Because most kiva fireplaces incorporate compound curves into their structure they are not very insert friendly. There simply are no flat faces for the surround panel to lie against. Additionally the firebox opening is generally a narrow arch that is higher than it is wide, so without modification of the opening a stove generally won't fit. One answer is to place a small stove directly on the hearth (legs removed generally), line it as you would any other insert and leave off the surround. This is not the best of options as most of the stoves that fit are radiant heaters, not convective so much of the heat is wasted heating the fireplace and not the home.
Now some pictures I found:
http://www.adobelite.com/pages/fireplaces.html
The one I am constructing is not a true kiva, it is a 36" firebox inside a kiva-style surround.
HeckThe heck, you say?
Oh yeah, I knew what they looked like...just didn't know the name. I don't get alot of exposure to those adobe-clad units here in New England!
Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Oh yeah, I knew what they looked like...just didn't know the name. I don't get alot of exposure to those adobe-clad units here in New England!
How about those massive fireplaces in the center of a house that have flues/fireplaces in several different rooms? Don't know if they have a name, but thought they were used in your region a few years back. I've seen pics of a couple samples and it was like a russian/finish/etc stove on steroids. Wheew, seemed like about 1/3 of the house's floorspace was taken up by that brick monster.jt8
"Most married couples, even though they love each other very much in theory, tend to view each other in practice as large teeming flaw colonies, the result being that they get on each other's nerves and regularly erupt into vicious emotional shouting matches over such issues as toaster settings." -- Dave Barry
John,
Are you talking about the old center chimneys that ran from the basement through the center of the house? Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Are you talking about the old center chimneys that ran from the basement through the center of the house?
That might be it. Like 2-3 fireplaces on the 1st floor and 1-3 on the second (some of which had been covered up). Don't know if the house had a basement, but it was about like a massive brick tree growing through the middle of the house.
I think the kitchen area fireplace was actually designed for cooking.
Hmm.. now that I'm thinking about it, seems like TOH ran in to one of them somewhere too. Maybe that's why I thought it might be a NE coast thing.
jt8
"Most married couples, even though they love each other very much in theory, tend to view each other in practice as large teeming flaw colonies, the result being that they get on each other's nerves and regularly erupt into vicious emotional shouting matches over such issues as toaster settings." -- Dave Barry
Very much an old New England thing, from the 1600's 'til the late 1700's. My house had one (1690's), but lost it along the way, as many houses did. My grandparents' house had had one; space was used to make the bathroom downstairs & closets upstairs. I could slither carefully between the clothes all the way at the back & get into the other bedroom, & I still remember that slightly mothbally smell.
Here's another picture, Cal asked to see the outside:
The heck, you say?
You don't have any grass there do you james? The fanned roof reminds me of our place. First time I've seen one similar. At the time we framed, didn't want to see one of those turret style. It just evolved.
What's next on the agenda?Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Grass is a luxury in this area, Cal. These owners have done a pretty good job of landscaping with native plants and plentiful resident rocks. I had to invade some of it to work this project.
The roof is a way to turn the bay corner. I drew a few other designs, this is the one that worked best.The heck, you say?
Here's a couple of views of the 'kiva-style' fireplace. The first one shows the firebox nestled inside a frame made of electrical conduit that is then wrapped in stucco mesh.
The next photo shows the kiva has been roughed in with structolite.
I will finish the drywall before I final plaster the kiva.The heck, you say?
so... the structolite doesn't mind the heat from the fireplace ?..
View Image
is that triple wall, or metal-bestos type ?Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Now you know that the vigas don't go on throught the wall, Mike. <g>The owners wanted them as an accent, I didn't push for them, but I think they look OK, and they tie in to what was already in the original space.
However, there are no other such features on the exterior, so what you'll see when I can get back to take a pic of the outside is your basic stucco job. Portland stucco, not that heavy paint posing as stucco.
The structolite will not burn, and I have done others that are now 10 years old or so.I think it just gets harder as it bakes. Time will tell for sure.
The pipe is double wall. I prefer to use the dense-pac stainless; these folks decided not to spend the money.The heck, you say?
hey, heck... i'm jealous... i'd love to be building some of that style..
nice work... what's comming up for your next project ?Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Thanks.
It may be a while before I get to do stuff like this again. I really don't know what my next project is.
I have moved from NM to Colorado. The job shown here just wrapped up, so now my tools and I are looking for work in a new area, gonna be rough for a while, I suppose.
Right now I am beating the streets.
Tough to start all over again.But, hey, I've done it before.
Thanks for the kind words.The heck, you say?
We sat in a small trailer (just off the site) during an all day soaker, drinking beer and bull #### ing and pretty much did the same thing with our half an octogon stairwell roof. Reminded me of the wheelhouse of a tug, an old streetcar and the back end of a pullman. Joyce liked it, we framed it.
Nice place they have there. Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
The 2x12 rafters make both the outer profile and the inside. On the inside, the lines punctuate the turns in the bay.The heck, you say?
Here is a pic of the existing ceiling of the house, showing the vigas and latillas.The heck, you say?
Here is some of the view. This was taken just outside the middle bay window.
The heck, you say?
Wow! Believe I could handle that setting for a hundred years or so. Takes me back to when I worked for Air New Mexico and got to fly all over the state every week. New Mexico does live up to the name, Land of Enchantment. Zbalk
Heck, nice stuff, nice place, nice scenery. Sangre de Cristos always brings to mind the Milagro Beanfield Wars...you got skunks and crazy pigs there?<G> "what's in a name?" d'oh!
Milagro is closer to reality that you may realize!
You can't make up some of the stuff that goes on around here.The heck, you say?
Not to make light of reality there...but Nichols has quite a way of portraying the local color...one of my favorite series of books. Thanks for sharing the scenery<G>And, there's just something soothing about south western building, you seem to keep it that way. Cool. "what's in a name?" d'oh!
this view ....
View Image
what does this look like now ?Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
I wanted to show y'all the finished kiva-style fireplace, and the vigas the owners asked for on the small ceiling.
All done, 'cept the carpet, due to be installed the day before Thanksgiving.
The heck, you say?
cool. !
... now some of the outside , finished... i wanna see where the end of that viga (? ) going thru the chimley wound up .....
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
The other side of the house.
I added the left side, two story addition about 5 years ago.
The heck, you say?