Dream House
From Toosigma
My best friend Josh and I have been bouncing ideas about Dream Houses - and the possibility of setting up a joint compound/commune for our friends/family.
Contents |
Basic Design Goals
- Energy Efficiency/Generation - I'd like to make whatever we do have a minimal energy requirement, and to generate as much of that energy ourselves as possible - ideally through a combination of
- geothermal
- PV & thermal solar
- wind generation
- Human-power generation (bicycle/flywheel generator)
- Stirling engine and some heat exchangers
- Minimize wasted space - While hallways, elevators, and stairwells aren't evil per se, I'd like to only have those that are absolutely necessary to functionality - though a bit of whimsy like catwalks, balconies, fire poles, and ladders aren't out of the question
- Style-wise - I tend toward a weird pastiche of minimalist, modern-contemporary, and medieval-European styles. I also prefer function over form - though if at all possible, I'd like to have both, though that might push a "bang for buck" idea into "money is no object" territory
- Location - my preferred location would be someplace in the mountains, relatively inaccessible/remote from the rest of society. It would probably also be underground - either custom-built or a repurposed missile silo. If money becomes no object (or if the compound votes me down) I've also got some ideas for island-based setups either instead of or in addition to the mountain location. One island idea in particular that's captured my imagination involves a pair of small offshore "haystack" islands, a bridge/drawbridge connecting the larger island to the mainland, and a footbridge connecting the larger island to the smaller. The main compound/living quarters would be on the main island, but my quarters would be either underground or in a lighthouse-esque tower on the smaller island.
- Self-sufficiency - in addition to energy generation, I'd like whatever gets built to be mostly self-sufficient:
- grow some of our own food (garden? crops?)
- manufacture our own materials (take machining lessons, q.v. workshop below)
- have sufficient stocked goods to go weeks/months without restocking
- High-flow well + gray water system for domestic water
Kitchen
- Layout - probably L or U with an island - need to do efficiency use cases to minimize wasted energy
- Marble/stone countertop - maybe hole to trash for scraps/chopping, slotted so you can put a bowl or a cover over it - w/under-counter stored wooden cutting board(s)
- FIFO-capable system for canned goods, staples, soda - Pantry accessible from two sides (door in garage to unload directly from car?) so that new groceries go in back (and are thus used last) and food is pulled from the front (oldest used first)
- Reasonably easy access to large chest-style freezer (provides better energy efficiency that stand-up models) - I tend to use more freezer storage than fridge - so finding a unit that reverses the usual layout that might not be bad either (for me)
- Grocery UPC/QR scanner to facilitate reordering and restocking efficiently - getting low on milk/bread? scan it and have it automatically added to the grocery list, possibly even send order to grocery store for delivery
- TV visible from sink/food prep/stovetop stations (whether the TV is in a different room or dedicated to the kitchen)
- Mountable touchscreen/tablet PC for recipe display/grocery lists - able to mount to maximize utility/visibility and minimize exposure to mess (use as TV?)
- Pizza oven - capable of temps up to 900 F ($$$)
- I (Josh) have been toying with the idea of a three purpose wood fired oven. essentially three sided hearth/chimney style. One side ( the one facing the courtyard or what have you) would be a wood fireplace for atmosphere and burning evidence and such, second side pizza/ bread oven, third side- a BBQ pit for roasting/smoking meat and such. Made of stone or brick pavers
- Walk-in fridge/freezer (Compound/$$$)
- Multiple prep stations - one (or more) for Josh/general cooking, and another (baking-centric) for me
- Recycling/trash/compost station - maybe with a chute to a central collection location?
My Bedroom/Bath/Closet
- My bedroom, if it exists at all, will probably be a minimalist setup with a mattress (maybe a pallet? japanese sleeping tube? hammock?) with as little wasted space as possible. Another possibility would be to have a "normal" bedroom with the usual trimming that I just don't use (sleeping in the office/gameroom instead) that becomes a guest room when necessary.
- I'm fairly fond of my current closet - so a walk-in closet with two tiers of hanging space and some cubby/shelving for misc storage - maybe a little smaller than my current one - I'd also like it to be somewhat proximate to my laundry facilities if it's my own house (less of an issue for the compound - I don't do that much laundry, compared to other people)
- Bathroom is relatively minimalist - small counter, medicine cabinet (for frequent use items), under counter storage (for infrequent use items), small box shower (3'x3') w/slightly higher-than-average (I'm tall) low-flow shower-head, generic/low-flow toilet - if I have money to burn, I might add a AV-endpoint with some in-ceiling speakers and a HUD-like setup on the mirror
- JOSH - Since we are talking DREAM compound - i would want a 5 piece bathroom. Dual sink vanity, Roman style garden soaker tub, a shower that could be compared to a car wash ( at least 2 shower heads, body sprays, and steam) and a toilet room that had the same style tablet as the kitchen for reading news/ emails/ watching video etc.
- For the compound, I'd prefer to have my bedroom/suite isolated from the others (if at all feasible) - that way if I'm feeling anti-social I can go hibernate in my cave - I might also consolidate my bedroom with my office/computers (q.v.) to maximize efficiency
Office/Computers/Theater/Game Room
- My office will contain a dedicated desktop computer with 3 monitors (one for reference, one for work, one for misc) with all my usual bells-and-whistles. It'll probably be within 2-3 years of state-of-the-art, less if money is no object. As money is less tight, adding additional monitors will likely be a priority - probably capping at 7 (two tiers of three, plus a larger tv for video display) - in the absence of a dedicated server, this would serve the media library and file services
- For the compound, I'd setup a basic server that would provide file services OS and application virtualization to all the PCs on the compound (and allow me to keep all of them updated and patched without having to work on each individually) - also look into ways to keep laptops/tablets updated when they are off the local network - if money isn't an object, I'd probably add some RAID redundancy and tape backups, along with a fireproof safe
- My personal theater would probably just add a projector and a couch to the office - a compound theater would be much more elaborate (dedicated room, projector, speaker setup), with enough seating to accommodate the entire population?
- My personal game room would probably just add a mirror to the ceiling to redirect the projector to a table-top display, along with bookshelves/storage for gaming supplies. A more elaborate setup might include a Microsoft Surface (or similar DIY device), custom game table, specialized decor/lighting controls, mini-bar/fridge
- Josh - Since seeing the pub at castle thorne, I cant have a dream house with out a pub. The usual fair of darts/ pool of course, but I would add shuffle board, arcade games ( The OLD ninja turtles, xmen, and simpsons for example) and some pinball machines.
Exercise Room
- TV/speaker setup hooked to the library
- Upright stationary bike (~$150), Treadmill (~$300), and Elliptical (~$300) - in order of preference, more money = nicer models, more frequent replacements
- Some sort of AC generator hookup for cardio machines to add to the house power (?)
- Free weight power rack, bench, barbell, plates - ~$500 - rubber mats? dumbbells (Bowflex selector-type, or full-blown set?)
- High(ish) ceiling for pull-ups
- Heavy bag/punching dummy
- My exercise room might get rolled into the office/theater or into the workshop/garage - but it'll be one of the first rooms to split off
Workshop/Garage
- Standing-height bench w/stools
- Tool storage and organization - pre-packed portable toolboxes for common remote activities (computer/electrical repair, plumbing, general)
- Parts inventory: Bulbs for projectors, basic electrical stock (switches, plugs, wire, conduit, etc) and plumbing ( washers, o-rings, pipe, glue, etc) and hvac ( parts for boiler, solar, pumps, ignitors, etc) Possibly with same inventory monitoring as the food supply. If we are going to be off grid, gonna have to fix a lot of stuff our self, plus the usual mad scientist experiments we will conduct. " Im ready to test the proton accelerated humming bird feeder!"
- Area for electronics storage and workbench - power, breadboard, PCB stock, electronics parts chest (labeled and organized)
- TV/speaker setup hooked to the media library
- Mounted/mountable touchscreen/tablet for instructions/directions
- Multi-machine - basically a full machine shop in a single (large) device
- Woodworking? Metalworking? Vacu-forming (plastics)?
- My workshop would just be part of the garage, along with laundry and enough room for a single vehicle (maybe extra for a scooter/motorcycle if I ever make that plunge). The compound would obviously need more vehicle storage, and maybe a separate workshop
- Josh - If it was a separate building it would be cool to have an underground tunnel connecting it to the garage - wide enough to drive an ATV through.
Atrium/Mudroom
- "landing zone" at primary entryway
- shelf/bin for basic stuff (wallet, keys, gadgets)
- charging station for gadgets
- coat hangers/rack
- shoe rack/cubbies
- chair/stool/bench to sit on to don/doff shoes
- Preferably a surface that is easy to clean for the floor. - slate tile ala Silverthorne?
- Just outside of the entryway i would put a grate with a catch basin rather that a rug. A large pit to catch gravel, dirt, and snow/water is better than a rug imo.
- prefer a single entry point (garage/front door) - keep shoes/outside tools in just one location - if single point is infeasible, then having secondary points as close as possible is preferred (more for when we're really leaving the compound - not just going outside to enjoy nature. Mainly cause I don't want to have to trek through the compound to get all my "landing zone" gear, then trek back through the house to the exit - so front door/garage entrances should be proximate, but that won't eliminate side doors, balconies, back doors, or connecting passages to other buildings)
Living Room/Dining Room/Guest Room
- I almost never use any of these - so in my own house I'd probably ditch the living room entirely, maybe setup a breakfast nook for a dining room, and maybe a murphy-bed for a guest room (if my bedroom isn't being used instead)
- For the compound, I'd probably just defer to any preferences the other folks have - though I'll admit the idea of a "great hall/mead hall" medieval-esque dining room setup has some appeal
- Other rooms I'd have less need for (but other folks might want): bar/pub, wine cellar/closet, greenhouse, library, pool (though see below), hot tub, "traditional" game room (pool, darts, foosball), aquarium, steam room/sauna, patio/deck w/grill/smoker/green egg,
- Josh - if it was the compound have a nice medium to large sized laundry facility ( Washer/ dryer/ dryclean machine?, ironing table, folding table, storage for cleaners and such) and then have some type of dumb waiter system to distribute.
- Josh - No pub? Also I think a pool and green house could be combined. That would be sweet. Decent humidity ( this room only) slightly warmer, and really the only room I would want a significant amount of windows. Have hose bib connections and such readily available for gardening and for pool filling/ cleaning.
Weird Ideas From Left Field for the Uber-billionaire
- Large-scale telescope room (tower-top?) - 20-30" telescope?
- Zeppelin docking tower + zeppelin - for when you absolutely must get away from everything - maybe with gliders/parachutes for even more fun?
- Airplane/runway/helicopter/helipad - in case we're way out in the middle of nowhere, or if someone just really likes flying
- Armory - for storing all the kick-ass weapons (ancient and modern) that we're gonna have for "self defense"
- Electronically controlled windows - instant tinting/opacity at touch of a button - maybe even usable as a display?
- Negative-edge pool - I just love the visual effects of these, especially with a really good drop-off (balcony, cliffside, etc) beyond the edge
- Current pool/endless pool - the kind that's just barely long enough to hold a person, and you swim against the current
- RFID tracking/voice control/house control devices - possibly doable with existing phones/handheld devices, or repackaged as bracelet/necklace/head-mount wearable computing devices - would report localized position within the house to the server (allowing directed communication via in-wall/in-ceiling speakers or the devices), controls for room lighting, media-center remote control, garage door opener - Siri-esque voice-controlled Internet-connected assistant
- Climbing wall
- Secret doors, hidey holes, secret passages, underground bunkers
- Racquetball court - Multi use court ie racquetball, tennis, basket ball, and jai-alai + roller bladeing and skate boarding, and r/c car surface
- Bowling alley
- Large courtyard w/stables, kennel - tractor with front end loader and backhoe. and ATVs with snow plows, and a cesna 179, and a robinson r44, and DUNE BUGGIES!
- Shooting gallery
- Paintball arena
- Computer gaming lab - 4-8 networked computers for frag-tastic action?
- Rock band studio - or a full-blown real (sound-proofed) recording studio?
My Ideal Life Routine in the Compound
- Wake up with my usual morning routine
- Make breakfast (and any carry-out lunches) for the compound - scheduled around everyone else (prolly 6-7am on weekdays, later on weekends)
- Clean kitchen
- Complete any necessary (emergency, weekly, monthly) household tasks (groceries, finances, cleaning, repairs, computers) - finish ~9-10 am
- Spend the rest of the day working on projects - telecommuting, F/OSS contributions, learning new skills, improving the compound, teaching/mentoring
- Assist cooking/Eat dinner/hang out with the "fam"
- Veg-out in my room, evening routine, crash
Barring a well-paying telecommuting job (administering other smart homes?), I probably wouldn't be a major earner - but neither would I be a major consumer, since barring property taxes, I'd probably only consume a few dollars a day. I'm also oddly pretty close to a "house-husband" - but that kinda fits my general style. <shrug> I might also be overly regimented/scheduled in my preferences - we'd probably have a weekly/monthly menu that gets repeated on schedule, meals would happen at specific times every day (and if you can't make it, you get leftovers/reheats), etc. (The main reason I like set menus is to minimize food waste - being a single bachelor, i can have a hard time finishing even the smallest size containers before they spoil unless i plan specific meals to utilize everything. Might be less of a problem with the big compound and plenty of people to eat everything - though it may just be a difference of scale)
