Change of Plan...The New Final Design

Its a good thing we didn't rush into the ground this past fall, we have had to change our plans slightly. We have been having problems getting a septic design approved by the county that we were comfortable with. We wanted a septic system that would be gravity fed so that it would be simpler and require less maintenance. The alternative recommended by the civil engineer required a pump and dosing chamber. In order to achieve our goals and those of the health department we had to compromise and move the location of the house. Lynn Gaffney our architect came up with a wonderful solution by moving the house about ten+ yards uphill onto a high flat spot in the trees. In the end we prefer the new design and location. It provides a sense of coziness as its nestled partly among the evergreens. However this new design will require more site work than before and we will need to move trees. Transplnting the trees was something we were going to do in the future anyway to give us more privacy between us and our neighbor. So it looks like a win win. Now we just need to find a tree service with a tree spade big enough to move our trees.

previous Final Plans (link)

previous posts on the Septic issues:

Building our Eco-Nest, what's next...
Designing a Septic System, Hold your breath...

Comments

[Baldomero Fernandez]

Thanks Preston that means a lot coming from the Guru of Jetson Green. Will have some new posts soon. Promise. Thanks,
B.

[Preston]

Wow, looks great. Can't wait to see the progress as it continues. That's a great design. :)

[Baldomero]

Ahh Jen, nothing like old friends to make you remember the idiotic things you say and also call you by your childhood nickname. This Florida city boy has come a long way. We will have a fireplace post to come about that soon and yes some firewood IS heavier than regular wood: for instance:

In direct comparison Oak, Balsa and Pine (seasoned and dry) :
Oak has a average weight of 730kg/cu.m
Balsa weighs in at about 170kg/cu.m
Pine avaerages 530kg/cu.m

This is assuming that it is not wet. Moisture will have a direct influence on weight. As 1000kg of pure water = 1 cubic metre, those materials under 1000kg/cubic metre will float; more dense will sink ie. those materials with a specific gravity more than 1.
Pure water was chosen as the 'base line' for specific gravity and given the value of 1. The specific gravity of all other materials are compared to water as a fraction heavier or lighter density. For example, afromosia has a specific gravity (sg) of 0.705 while ebony can have a sg of 1.12 (1120 kg/cu.m)
As specific gravity is just a comparison, it can be applied across any units. The density of pure water is also 62.4 lbs/cu.ft (pounds per cubic foot) and if we know that a sample of apple has a sg of 0.73 then we can calculate that its density is 0.73 x 62.4 = 45.552 lbs/cu.ft.
Note, kg/cu.m divided by 16.01846 = lbs/cu.ft

This answer would have sufficed when I asked is firewood heavier than regular wood. ; )

Love B.

[jconroy]

Hi Merito...
Congrats on the plans. Looks really cool! And congrats on your new addition. He's adorable. Our best to you and S.

I just have a question....will you have a fireplace? And if so, is firewood heavier than regular wood? ;)

Take care,
Jen