3 ms·

The example I'm aware of is the Segal Method: https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Segal_Method https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Segal_Method It'

The example I'm aware of is the Segal Method: https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Segal_Method https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Segal_Method It's a modular design system based on the dimensions of commonly-available construction material, intended to be both cheap and easy to construct without (too much) assistance. The gotcha is that it's based on dimensions of materials commonly available in the 1960's, so I have no idea if something you bought today would fit.

hedgehog 3y ago
His design system doesn't try to get anywhere near modern levels of insulation and overall thermal performance, though I suspect that is fixable and even at the time he modified the system as locally available materials changed. I think it would be really interesting to do an update, everything is sort of on a grid system so it should be relatively amenable to building software tools to help with the analysis and generating complete sets of plans. Even if I had those tools and the time to do my own build I think I would want an experienced architect involved with input into the design.
- regularfry 3y ago
  It's apparently possible to do it to Passivhaus standards, but I don't know what you need to tweak to get there. It would be an interesting exercise to try, though. It's the sort of thing that's got me thinking that the next time I need to build a garden shed I'll give it a go. Anything that doesn't need foundations, like a deck with a roof on an existing concrete pad, or similar, I'd give it a go to get some experience with it. Round here that wouldn't need planning permission so it's comparatively low-risk. Just need to make sure whatever I did to replace the ties into the foundation blocks was suitable, but that doesn't strike me as beyond the wit of man.
  - hedgehog 3y ago
    I looked at some similar ideas a while back. Screw piles are a good option for a stable base on uneven ground. Insulation requires coming up with a compatible design for the exterior walls to accommodate 4-6 inches of insulation and then rain screen on top of that. Top and bottom not so hard. Air sealing is quite a trick to do without compromising on disassembly-ready construction by using tape. Picture windows are a challenge, there's nothing really suitable available at least at US hardware stores. Not a problem for a shed but kind of in conflict with the motivation behind the system.

hedgehog 3y ago

His design system doesn't try to get anywhere near modern levels of insulation and overall thermal performance, though I suspect that is fixable and even at the time he modified the system as locally available materials changed. I think it would be really interesting to do an update, everything is sort of on a grid system so it should be relatively amenable to building software tools to help with the analysis and generating complete sets of plans. Even if I had those tools and the time to do my own build I think I would want an experienced architect involved with input into the design.

regularfry 3y ago
It's apparently possible to do it to Passivhaus standards, but I don't know what you need to tweak to get there. It would be an interesting exercise to try, though. It's the sort of thing that's got me thinking that the next time I need to build a garden shed I'll give it a go. Anything that doesn't need foundations, like a deck with a roof on an existing concrete pad, or similar, I'd give it a go to get some experience with it. Round here that wouldn't need planning permission so it's comparatively low-risk. Just need to make sure whatever I did to replace the ties into the foundation blocks was suitable, but that doesn't strike me as beyond the wit of man.
- hedgehog 3y ago
  I looked at some similar ideas a while back. Screw piles are a good option for a stable base on uneven ground. Insulation requires coming up with a compatible design for the exterior walls to accommodate 4-6 inches of insulation and then rain screen on top of that. Top and bottom not so hard. Air sealing is quite a trick to do without compromising on disassembly-ready construction by using tape. Picture windows are a challenge, there's nothing really suitable available at least at US hardware stores. Not a problem for a shed but kind of in conflict with the motivation behind the system.