Trailer Conversion - Exterior
The Project:
We were invited to work on this project by the property owners Andy and Laura.
To put it mildly, they have very diverse backgrounds. Laura is a former Team Roper in the California Rodeo circuit and is currently an author of a successful series of books. Andy was a former world traveler that spent time in countries some of us have never even heard of. In his travels he saw some incredible homes, from Rock huts to tree houses and was fortunate to be exposed to some incredible cultures. Andy is currently Production manager at one of the largest flower bulb growers in the world.
When Laura and Andy told us their plans for the new cottage, they explained that this would be like nothing we had ever worked on before and so we wouldn't even be able to bid it. We would need to work for Time and Material. That way they could modify the project to suit them as it progressed. Their statement was not just bluster, it was truly like no project we had ever worked on before.
The Structure:
From the very beginning the exterior of this project was challenging. The rosebushes that surrounded the existing structure were to be kept absolutely safe from harm. We were able to prune back enough to free up the trailer so that it could be cut up by hand and removed piece by piece from under the roof structure. After many band aids and creative non swear words that part of the project was completed.
We then brought in the bobcat with the 10 foot long auger under the roof to drill the 24" diameter pier bases that would support the new home. The trick is, we are not allowed to bump, touch, or scratch the existing support posts, because they have been aging for 30 years. If we scratch one it cannot be sanded out, because the color will no longer run consistent throughout the home, and the post are to be an integral design feature within the new structure.
After that was successfully accomplished, the pressure eased and we were able to get into the fun stuff, building the new place. After some last minute design changes, We laid out the floor system and got busy building. First we stood up the stud walls with approximate door and window placements. Andy and Laura then spent the weekend studying the optimum window size and placement to take advantage of the lighting and great views of their ranch.
Once that was settled the construction became pretty conventional, well, with the exception of putting the cedar shake siding on through the rosebushes. Time for more creative non swear words @&#! and band aids.
To see the Interior
pics, click on this link
Copyright 2010