Thought experiment - convert a nissen shed

I had a 'problem is the solution' idea that involves moving a nissen shed and converting it into a tiny home - probably for short term lets. I've seen a few conversions online and I think it could end up quite cute.

This is what the kitchen looks like at Cultybraggan for example:

source
More about Cultybraggan here

I'm thinking I could reuse the steel outer panels and frame, put big windows with a view either end, insulate with sheep wool and line it out either with more corrugated iron as at Cultybraggan (which is authentic), or more likely lining with a thin plywood which can be bent to shape.

Since the structure is steel frame, I'm contemplating siting it on a slope with the potential for a downstairs room at one end too. The footprint (at the frame) is about 24 foot wide and 30 foot long. Does that sound feasible? I'm trying to come up with suitable layouts at the moment, and work out a potential budget. I'd probably need this to be to UK building standards...

there are some resources online for similar conversions using the US equivalent, a Quonset hut, like https://houserevivals.blogspot.com/2014/04/awesome-re-purposed-quonset-huts.html, might get you some more search results.

I am aware of these huts.
Usually the frames in them are ok to reuse and lining the inside with colorbond corrugated iron would be very presentable
and easy compared with plywood.

Thanks John, yes the corrugations would bend nicely round the corners (also plywood can have nasty glues in them. I liked the idea of a 'warm' material rather than one that might attract condensation on the inside surface. Some people do go for the rusty/rustic or industrial look though. I've got plenty of rusty steel!

Proper use of vapour barriers, insulation and design will work with corrugated iron.
In Australia, there are many colours available or even have it spray painted.

My first effort at a potential layout.

This is for short stays, not to live in at this stage. The entrance is one one curved side (assuming suitable corrugated flashing can be obtained). The hallway is probably going to have a standard height ceiling, but the other rooms vaulted to follow the curve of the outer roof. The bathroom opens off the hallway on one side and it goes through to the main room. I put a 'breakfast bar' type table next to the kitchen area, since there didn't seem to be enough surfaces to me. I wanted the sitting area to be in front of the big window at the end for the view, so the dining area ends up to the rear.
If we do put a fire in (for back up and because people like to play with fire) I thought a tiny batch box on the dividing wall might work.
The bedroom looks the opposite way with a large/tall window for views again.

I need to do some cross scetions to scale yet, to check for headroom at the sides. It might be possible to lift the whole structure up by a foot or so to give more height, but I want to avoid this if possible.

Any thoughts on practicality at this stage?

Nancy , great idea that won't cost an arm and two legs.  I understand the shape and build has been superb in wind and storm, perfect for coastal Scotland.  

Your corner of the world is exciting and lovely, the land of my forefathers,  who were forced to emigrate. They fought the British again in Carolina circa 1770s, fought the Native Americans in Georgia early 1800s, that notorious Celtic temper on full display. My people were mostly from West coast Scotland.  
Best of luck on this project.  

Nancy, I think it would be easier to weather proof the doorway on an end wall, unless you come off the curved roof with a flat roof of corrugated iron.

John, I try to keep track of nomenclature across the globe, so help me please. When you speak of corrugated iron, and use US slang like tin roof, are we both referencing modern metal roofing made of (presumably) steel alloy?

I am no expert, but have heard enough to back Johns opinion
Two examples that compare.....and Nancy, if you have a good southern exposure you could gain some passive solar in the bargain

Oops

Quonset huts are reliable, a sort of a rusty old Toyota Tercel of the housing world  My dad was military issue, we spent some vacations and summer camps in random remote Quonset hutsใ  They have survived at one camp, saw it again 50 years later and it has weathered very well.  
Today I had this latent observation...after many moons, many huts, i never saw one with side windows or side doors.  
Playing that card, your idea ...adding N/South windows... is good.  If you feel it is needed next year, you'll add E/West windows later,
Can't wait to see it, this will be fun.  Best of luck

Rico,

When you speak of corrugated iron, and use US slang like tin roof, are we both referencing modern metal roofing made of (presumably) steel alloy?

Yes, its widely used here for modern homes now, and in addition to the traditional galvanised finish, zincalume [      ] and colorbond in a multitude of colors is now available.

It looks like they're doing some rather interesting experiments e.g. in how to insulate Nissan huts, at Cultybraggan: https://www.ads.org.uk/case-study/cultybraggan-camp-hut-one

What an incredible project! The Cultybraggan huts look fantastic.

Looking at your floor plan, I do see one major Quonset/Nissen geometry trap you'll want to avoid: Headroom in the walking paths. In your drawing, the hallway and walking spaces are positioned along the outer curved walls. In a 24-foot wide Nissen hut, the ceiling drops drastically on the sides. If you keep the hallway there, your guests will be walking hunched over!

The golden rule for curved-wall structures is to keep all foot traffic down the center spine. * Push your "static" spaces—like the bed, the kitchen counters, the bathtub, and the sofa,against the curved outer walls where you only need sitting, sleeping, or working headroom.

Keep the center axis completely open for walking.

Also, John is 100% correct about the side door. The structural integrity of these sheds relies on the continuous corrugated steel arches. Cutting into the side for a door means you have to cut those load-bearing arches and build a heavy structural dormer. It is much cheaper, safer, and more waterproof to put your entrances on the flat end-walls.

Good luck with the build, keep the updates coming!

Looking at your floor plan, I do see one major Quonset/Nissen geometry trap you'll want to avoid: Headroom in the walking paths. In your drawing, the hallway and walking spaces are positioned along the outer curved walls. In a 24-foot wide Nissen hut, the ceiling drops drastically on the sides. If you keep the hallway there, your guests will be walking hunched over!

The intention would be to have a dormer roof entrance on the side. I've come across several UK based Nissen huts with side windows and doorways, so this does appear to be a standard practice on occasion. Unlike Quonsets, the Nissen huts have a modular steel frame which gives much of the strength, so as long as the doorway or window fit between there should be no problem there. See the attached examples.
I did do a rough section through showing a 6ft person and most of the area appears quite fine for them. The block on the right is a 3ft kitchen surface and the block on the left the bed. I'm not happy with the angle of a potential porch roof though - there is no room for any insulation (I've made the walls 2ft thick in my sketch which is probably a bit excessive...) and that shallow an angle invites water ingress.

Ac Baker wrote:It looks like they're doing some rather interesting experiments e.g. in how to insulate Nissan huts, at Cultybraggan: https://www.ads.org.uk/case-study/cultybraggan-camp-hut-one

Thank you for that link Ac, I hadn't come across it. I was thinking of wool insulation (just because it is a waste product round here) But I also like the sound of that wood cellulose batting that can be rendered on top of: more details on the cultybraggan refurb here Luckily the building I'm looking at isn't listed - it's just a farm building, not part of a WW2 historic site. You can still build a new one too - they make the Nissen style kits in Wales: https://www.nissensheds.co.uk/nissen-sheds/