100% Glass Walls PSP Design

Here is a video of a PSP structure following Mike Oehler's design principles with 100% glass walls.  I like to dream big.  This is to generate discussion and help me understand what is possible and what is not.  The model is a work in progress.  I don't have any of the posts in place yet, so, for now, pretend the engineering requirements to make this possible have been met.

Window House video

Any and all comments welcome.

At the top of the roof joists it is important to have a barge board or retaining board big enough to completely cover the joist log ends.  If not and there is a way rain can hit the ends on the high side it will run down the joist log and into the house at any crack it can find - above the window, down the roof boards, etc.

Thanks Troglodyte,

I remember Mike talking about that now that you mention it.  I'll update the model.

Any other thoughts on drainage issues?

I would recommend the optional French drains around the perimeter - a gravel filled trench, with or without a plastic perforated drain pipe in it depending on conditions and have it drain to the downhill side to daylight at about 1/4 inch per foot.

That could help eliminate any moisture that made it past the other defenses of the cabin.

Gophers etc. do not always recognize the trouble you went to to do your grading properly and will sometimes route their water problems to your space.

A larger plastic umbrella can also help.  Water wants to move down and spread horizontally also, so if it encounters your wall plastic then it goes straight down to the bottom of the wall and wants to come out at floor level - the place of least resistance.

A French drain or even a sump can catch that.  I have a couple problem areas that I will eventually likely add a small sump to to eliminate the problem.

My house is in a very hard clay that water will not travel through with any speed, it stays like it is in a bucket, so I have to consider other options.  In deep sand soil that would not likely be a problem but then more side pressure on the walls could be a different problem.  Each house and set of soil conditions is unique.  I suggest that you become intimate with your soil  and land - learn it's properties to be used to your advantage.

Soil.  That's really the kicker isn't it.  Anything is possible if the conditions will allow.

I am young (25) and don't own any land yet so I'm unaware of what conditions I will be someday building in.

This was really just a proof of concept and I don't think I'll spend anymore time on it.  I'm like Paul Wheaton and like the idea of the Wofati effect which is really not a possibility with this design.

I think it doesn't qualify as an oehler structure because the water does not run downhill to soil only - it encounters a man-made edge.  At least, that's my understanding.

Good point Paul.  You are probably right.  The angled piece of shoring on the downhill side which forms part of the lateral window well would be interfering with the flow.  I put the extreme angle on it to minimize as much interaction with water as possible but its still in the way.

Good eye.

I think it looks cool on my quick scan of it   AT least you have some good idea's.  The site will dictate design but idea's are always fun.

Jeff

paul wheaton wrote:
I think it doesn't qualify as an oehler structure because the water does not run downhill to soil only - it encounters a man-made edge.

Hey Paul, I was thinking about this some more.  What about Mike's royer foyer concept?  Isn't that water meeting a man made edge in a very similar way?  I've drawn the surface in question in red below:

I don't like your white couch.  that's going to be really difficult to keep clean.  and not enough pillows on your bed.  I would need at least five pillows.

all that glass is going to means you won't be terribly well insulated, unless you use some crazy expensive multi-paned, low-e, magical glass.  other than that, looks like a pretty pleasant place to live.  I would visit you.

Its a fantastic idea Bradon.  I think it will create a wonderful space.

if you want to see a house made of glass drinking bottles google
Wellston Michigan Glass bottle House..

it has been there for many years and is beautiful..it is about 30 miles from me

I guess I must be missing the point of the glass 360, and have it in the ground,

glass is one of the worst insulators, (do not know your location),  yes build a beam and post type construction, and fill the panels with glass, very do able, but I would think it would be hot in the day and cold at night, hard to heat and cool,  just my opinion,