Shelter Collection Fall Sale
I recently came across my original drawings of the interior details of the houses in the Shelter Collection. A journey down memory lane ensued where I was reminded just how it was that these plans came to be.
With so much interest generated by our little house when it hit the scenes in 2013, I knew I wanted to offer plans that would build houses similar to ours, only better. Plans that were inspired by our house's layout, but that offered more in space, in storage, and in livability, without sacrificing essential character and structural elements, as is often seen in modern-day mass-produced houses. Elements that give a house soul, like exposed beames, bedrooms tucked into the eaves with beds built into the dormers, a custom designed kitchen efficient enough for several cooks, a private master bathroom, a reading nook, a recycle station, a window seat (or two). These plans were informed by the same appreciation one might have for a piece of hand crafted furniture, a tailored garment, or handmade shoes.
The overarching goal in the design of the Shelter Collection was threefold. First, I wanted to design floor plans that would be as small as possible, yet live large, answering the call for something meaningful and different than what was being offered elsewhere. Secondly, I wanted these plans to comply with International Residential Code, which, among other things, requires components such as a standard rise-and-run stairway and full-height ceilings on the second floor. My desire that these plans satisfy the technical requirements for today's modern family resulted in a detailed electrical plan intended to make living comfortable and efficient. Finally, I wanted to offer plans that would also capture the architecture of a bygone era where character was built into the very bones of the house, creating an envelope that would welcome with ease the life of those who built it and respond to their desire for detail, craft, and character. The result was four home designs that captured all of this.
Today begins the annual fall sale on the building plans in the Shelter Collection. Find your plan of choice and your $500 savings here.
Read more about the Shelter Collection here.
Of note:
// Cost to Build: I wish I could wave a magic wand and be able to say an exact amount, but too many variables come into play that affect the final price. I can, however, offer an approximation of $150 +/sq ft. A qualified building contractor will be able to give an accurate cost-to-build upon study of the building plans and discussion of interior and exterior finish and window selections with the homeowner.
// Heating & Cooling: Though it is often thought that the heating and cooling sources are specified by the designer, these are actually decided by the homeowner after research and discussion with their builder and various heating and cooling experts. With that being said, provision is made in the floor plans to accommodate more traditional forms of air handling, such as forced air (the mechanical components of which are intended to be installed in the crawlspace and ducted through the walls and floors). I recently had an interesting conversation with a builder who suggested that, in his experience, radiant heat would be a very efficient way to heat the homes in the Shelter Collection. One thing to note: a mini split is not the intended method of heating/cooling for these houses.
// Printing of Plans: The study plans for the homes in the Shelter Collection can be printed on standard paper with your home or office printer. The building plans require printing on 24 x 36 inch paper. I recommend sending the PDF file to PDF Plotting. Printing is fast, reasonable, and the finished plans will arrive on your doorstep. Note: Plans should not be altered in any way by the printer, as this would skew the scale, rendering them unsuable by contractors.
