Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Re: On-Line Collaborative Design

[Harry Pasternak (Harry_Pasternak]

c> Cool.  I would like to see on the list, regional code issues, since as 
c> we have discovered, many places limit smart things you can do by code 
c> fiat.  It would be instructive to see if certain "best" building 
c> practices are even allowed in places.  I will be working lobbying
c> the  Seattle City council for some code revisions later this summer
c> and so  any cool stuff I can suggest to them to adopt or check out
c> will be a help.
c> 
c> Rob Sandelin
c> Sharingwood

HP:
* Fortunately, the building codes across the USA and Canada are pretty well
the same because all of the Codes generally base their information on the
various Manufacturers Association's information. For example, the Asphalt
Roofing Manufacturers supply the "right" way to install asphalt
shingles---the Portland Cement Assoc. supplies the info on concrete etc.
etc.---so Code standards are much the same---with some small differences; for
example in Florida, there are Code requirements to deal with an extraordinary
rat population (no I am not kidding).

* Personally, I wasn't expecting any non-Code approved ways of building to
appear in the "Volkswagen Cohousing" solution. There are hundreds of seldom
used, Code approved methods of building that increase quality, save time,
save material money and are beautiful---I expose folks from across North
America to these methods in my "Knack of Home Construction" workshops---2000
folks so far---there is a free hotline that's included in the tuition---no
Code related hassles so far in 14 years---the workshops are
ultra-conservative .

* But if one of the team came up with the
super-dooper-ultra-fantastic-supercalfragalistic way of building---anyone
justs has to go to a Structural Engineer (or mechanical engineer, or
electrical engineer, or, or) for a letter--- the engineer simply analyzes
whatever the idea is and if it's sound, gives a " Stamped" letter saying
so---generally building dept. folks will approve it and  are happy to do so;
because now someone else (the engineer) has taken on the
responsibilities---Peter Sheffield formerly of Ove Arup is one of these
engineers (structural) who loves to do this kind of stuff---he's in Toronto,
now. 

So, I expect a pretty interesting solution to result using well proven
building methods---we don't need more guineau pigs, there are enough people
been turned into guineau pigs by blood banks, breast implants, etc. etc.

Harry Pasternak
Unpaid Volunteer For "Do It Yourselfers" Who Need Proven Information On
Designing and Building Affordable, Frugally Operationally,  Supportive
Neighborhoods With An Abundance of Social Networking Opportunities, who works
at:
Thousand Islands Institute
The Independent Centre For Housing Research & Education




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