Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Seasons heatings



I've always had a thing for architecture and well planned/utilized space. One of these days I'm gonna get myself organized enough and reduce the clutter enough to simplify my house. As it is I've got more crap than I can remember where I put it, and more space than I need or want containing that crap. At least all that crap and the container it's in is payed for, I guess.

I ran across this little write-up today. Lots of cool design features.

I really like the dish dryer/storage system here.

Something about those little sleeping lofts are so appealing, yet the thought of having to get up there somehow (or even worse, back down) after an ultra distance race makes me think I'd need another way up there besides stairs. Maybe a 3/4 ground house with an egress window in the loft so you could use it as an upstairs outside door.

Here's another interesting link, though most of these are simply too small. If there isn't enough room for two people to live, cook, and dance, there isn't enough room to live. And there would have to be a bike room/shop of equal proportions. But in general 1000sq foot living quarters with a loft would be plenty if designed carefully, I think.

A couple more interesting sites:
Bottleworld "Like dogs on speed" this site is great.
Resources for Life from IA City, no less.

Incentive to pare down my collection of crap to the essentials. Maybe I should start a yard sale blog.....anybody need any size 46.5 bike shoes, Camelbacks, or VW parts? Or how about a good cheap car?

In another recent thought pattern I found shackletoncentenary.org which is packed with extreme cold weather knowledge and noteworthy causes.

DG

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey, thanks for the shout-out. Regarding the sleeping loft, it does really feel cozy and secure. Your brain responds positively to some sort of primal impulse to be in this high, protected spot. You feel... safe.

And speaking of primal impulses, I desperately need a better kickstand for my Xtracycle. I see you made one... http://nonconformcycling.blogspot.com/2008/08/ohv15.html ... I've been thinking of making one too but I've never made anything out of metal. Any tips/more pictures? Do I have a chance in hell of actually succeeding? I've actually considered buying the $375 one -- that tells you how pathetic I am.

Neve_r_est said...

Well... I've got a full machine shop to play with and metalworking is my trade. However, all you really need is a hacksaw, file, hammer, vise, drill, and some way to stick'em together(braze/weld)or access to someone who can.

Most anything is possible with a little applied research.

Xtracycle just released a doublestand of there own too, Vik had a post on it just the other day: http://viksbigdummy.blogspot.com/2008/09/2009-xtracycle-catalogue.html

DG

Neve_r_est said...

Oh, and there are a couple more pics in my picasa site. The link's up there under my profile.

Maybe I'll make a sketch of the parts for the next go around.

DG

Anonymous said...

hmm, thanks for the tip-off about the Xtracycle version of the double stand. looks like it's in their "paper" catalog but not available yet on their actual online ordering system. this message suggests it will be soon though.

maybe i should focus my creative/destructive tendencies on words as usual instead of hunks of metal. cheers!

How do i get to my old stuff said...

good god, Dennis. You have a lot of stuff. I checked out your garage sale. Sheesh. And that's just the stuff you want to shed. Wow.

Neve_r_est said...

I'm not done adding stuff. Anything there you need?

DG

How do i get to my old stuff said...

Need? No. Not that i can thinking. Now .... wants.... I'll just wait and see what you load up there. Send me an announcement when you get it all online.