The New In My House... Philosophy of Architecture (from Let My People Go Surfing, Y Chouinard 1. Don't build a new building unless it's absolutely necessary.  The most responsible thing to do is to buy used buildings, construction materials, and furniture. 2. Try to save old or historic buildings from being torn down.  Any structural changes should honor the historical integrity of the building.  We rectify misguided "improvements" made by previous tenants and strip way fake modern facades, ending up we hope with a building that is a "gift to the neighborhood." 3. If you can't be retro, build quality.  The aesthetic life expectancy of the building should be as long as the physical material's life span. 4. Use recycled, and recyclable, materials like steel girders, studs, re-milled wood, and straw bales.  Install fixtures from waste materials like pressed sunflower hulls and agricultural waste. 5. Anything that is built should be repairable and easily maintained. 6. Buildings should be constructed to last as long as possible, even if this initially involves a higher price. 7. Each [house] must be unique.  The heroes, sports, history, and natural features of each area should be reflected and honored. My Philosophy: Unconditional love for individual humans I meet, a deep and loving connection for the natural world; a curiosity about how things work, a deep rooted intent to help others reach their potential; a healthy skepticism toward authority; a love of nature and physical work, a love for difficult, human-powered sports that require practice and mastery; a disdain for motorized sports like snowmobiling or jet skiing; a respect for real adventure (defined best as a journey from which you may not come back alive--and certainly not as the same person); a taste for real adventure; and a belief that less is more (in design and in consumption) Building envelope -rammed earth -high efficiency windows -porch for seating and eating on in summer, drying clothes and indoor/outdoor space Roof -green roof -solar panels -rainwater catchment -overhanging for outdoor dry spaces Electrical -wired for max efficiency, short runs, large gauge -solar power -wind power -natural lighting as much as possible -enough power to weld -hydrogen fuel cell combined with solar/wind -cogen (CHP) Heating & Cooling -geothermal heat pump -passive as much as possible -deciduous trees to the south, evergreens to the north -hydronic floor heating -proper house alignment to catch sun and wind -use of thermal mass and insulation is very important and wanted Entryway -plenty of places for shoes -solar powered shoe heater -plenty of places to hang wet/outdoor clothes -mittens -hats -coats -socks -etc. -airlocked from house -benches to sit and change on -place for dog stuff (leashes, balls, toys, tugs, etc) -place for snowshoes and xc skis -places for gear -nice and sunny for drying gear -ventilation in summer The kitchen -good view -solar cooking oven in south wall -eastern views -4 burner commercial style stove with griddle -1 big sink (not side-by-side), plumbed for planter -terra tile floor, heated -sunpipe -sunfrost fridge/freezer, SMALL -passive fridge/cold box/pantry in north wall -hydronic heated floors -easy to clean drain that is virtually uncloggable, and leads to a small indoor herb/plant garden -indoor/outdoor kitchen Bathroom -plumbed for greywater, short runs to plants/trees -hydronic heated floors -heated towel rack -natural ventilation -sunpipe -custom concrete counter top -towel storage in bathroom -sunpipe -separated toilet and bath -outdoor composting throne with amazing view Living room/great room/connected to kitchen -framed views (not just one big sheet of glass) -cork floors -soapstone fireplace in center of house w/heated benches Bedrooms (for sleeping, dressing, and fucking, not for showing off) -plenty of storage for clothes, shoes, belts, hats, etc. -large dressing closets, small rooms Nook -a place for reading and being by myself, quiet, removed from hustle and bustle -aerie -small, wooden floor -sleeping area for Birdie -sunlit, not mega sunny -bookshelves -privacy with a view and ventilation -comfortable couch, smooth and clean lines, leather -outdoor space/access, for meditation Working -Nik and Lee each have their own space -natural and artificial lighting -book shelf near -good storage & organization -private with a view Water/Plumbing -plumbed for max efficiency: short runs, tankless water heaters, recirc system if optimal -hooked in to heating (in-floor heating) -rainwater catchment -greywater -composting toilets -large cisterns Yard/Garden -xeriscaping with greywater fruit trees and garden -peaceful and private -grill -fireplace -hot tub? -sunny and shady -lots of greenery -dog friendly -clean and easy to clean Garage -passive solar -plenty of outlets -carport & workshop -blacksmith -woodshop -gear spaces -large efficient north wall freezer for meat Dogs: -water bowl in gravel path leading to tree -water bowl directly under faucet, out of the sun -some kind of pad/transition area between outside and in where they knock dirt/mud off their paws -spaces for them to be washed outside, with attendant brushes/shampoo etc -leash/collar hooks for hanging and easy access Overall: SMALL, natural, flowing, healing, rejuvenating, space, protection, warm, sunny, clean, open, healthy, welcome Books: -The Engineered House

Gents, HVRT general concept: Access for companies to a team of capable and quiet professionals who specialize in global recovery of high value items, whether materials, persons, or even intellectual property.  (Not sure about the last one, but the rough sketch is we'd convince people not to use whatever it was that they'd stolen, or maybe to work for different employers...I dunno.) Examples include stolen diamonds or minerals, cargo tankers full of oil or merchandise taken over by pirates or environmental events (disaster recovery), high value personnel etc.  I'd like to focus much more on "stuff" recovery vs. people because it's much easier to value "stuff". We could emphasize the discreetness of the operation as well as it's full legality in the global environment, and then deliver ultra-professional results.   Fast and hard and competent, leave no trace other than the performance. No recovery no payment, just like the salvage folks.  Essentially the company would release the claim to us, we'd recover the item, and the company would then purchase it back at a discounted rate.  It'd be ideal it if was stolen diamonds or a proprietary oil drilling bit or a truckload of, hell, I don't know, rubberanium; small enough stuff that a team of 5-10 thinking pipe-hitters could go in and get it done quickly. This could be advertised by ** as the capability for business to have their own Tier 1 asset recovery team.  I can write this up a little prettier, but wanted to see if this is a good direction? NFH

***, Greywater took about 3 days + prior thinking and planning time (for me that took about 2 years to figure out what I wanted and how to do it.) 1 day to gather materials, do set up and layout. 2 days to trench, lay pipe, and function check. Lots of good learning, but it boils down to a few simple lessons: 1. Water flows downhill. 2. Buying material and doing it yourself is the cheapest way to do the best job. 3. Thinking about doing it takes much longer than doing it, so it's worth it to think for a long time. 3. Reading about this was good for inspiration, but learning by doing is the one of the best ways I can pick up a skill, and it opens lots of other creative doors for me:  Plumbing the back yard for an outdoor shower, wanting to learn more about plumbing and the high pressure side of it, being stoked to work with my hands on other projects like wiring a new room, and just in general more self-confidence in my trades work. Brings to mind a great Aristotle quote I saw in Shop Class as Soul Craft: "Lack of experience diminishes our power of taking a comprehensive view of the admitted facts.  Hence those who dwell in intimate association with nature and its phenomena are more able to lay down principles such as to admit of a wide and coherent development; while those whom devotion to abstract discussions has rendered unobservant of facts are too ready to dogmatize on the basis of a few observations." NFH

CR, Stoked for you! The tires I'm using came with the truck; Cooper Discover S/T.  I haven't noticed any problems at all, but haven't really paid attention to them. Regarding building the back platform, the first thing that **** did was to ask me what I want to use if for, so, what do you want to use it for? My guess is you'll be doing the same things you're doing with your current truck, (hunting, fishing, skiing, Norris hot springs) with a little less emphasis on long term comfort and a little more emphasis on gas mileage and nimbleness.  The following recommendations are based on that assumption. If I were single, or planned on sleeping singly most of the time and wanted constant "work/head" space, I'd divide the bed on the long axis, not the short.  Not sure if I'd divide it exactly in half; check how much space to sleep you want/need, but it'd be nice to always be able to sleep and to throw in a deer carcass or ski poles etc without messing up the bed. I like the aluminum legs, even if they are a bit more expensive.   I'd try and find something a little thinner (and lighter) than the 3/4" I used.  If you use angled metal you can probably put a couple slats across it and get away with 3/8" wood.  Not super sure about that, I just always want to build with the minimum amount of material possible both for cost and aesthetics. For taking it in and out and fastening the wood to the metal I like the wing nuts, but if you're not going to pull it out once you put it in, go with a locking nut and loc-tite combo or something comparable.  ****'s idea of making sure if you roll nothing knocks about is a good one; everything should be securely fastened. I love the pull-out boxes underneath, they make it very easy to stay organized.  Maybe get three smaller instead of two larger and have a dry clothes box, a kitchen box, and a wet box.  Make sure they're secured underneath the platform. 5" is too thick for a mattress, I'd probably cut it down to 3", check with your local foam dealer.  If you come through SD on your way back there's one right down the street from our place and they did ours in about 3 days.  Mine is super comfortable but a little thicker (and more expensive) than necessary.  For hold downs I'd see about extending the metal frame to form a lip on the center side of the platform to hold the mattress in. As far as a cap, if you can, get the one with the fold out screen windows and seal it up against leaks...mission critical in your neck of the woods.  I'd also look into one with a slightly raised back end for the extra head space, although that'll affect gas mileage.  Check for lights in there. Cheers, NFH

Dude, I could have sworn I sent this to you already, but I can't find it in any of my "sent" emails, so.. "Whom then, do I call educated, since I exclude the arts and sciences and specialties? First, those who manage well the circumstances which they encounter day by day, and who possess a judgment which is accurate in meeting occasions as they arise and rarely misses the expedient course of action; Next, those who are decent and honorable in their intercourse with all with whom they associate, tolerating easily and good-naturedly what is unpleasant or offensive in others and being themselves as agreeable and reasonable to their associates as it is possible to be; Furthermore, those who hold their pleasures always under control and are not unduly overcome by their misfortunes, bearing up under them bravely and in a manner worthy of our common nature; Finally, and most important of all, those who are not spoiled by successes and do not desert their true selves and become arrogant, but hold their ground steadfastly as intelligent men, not rejoicing in the good things which have come to them through chance rather than in those which through their own nature and intelligence are theirs from birth.  Those who have a character which is in accord, not with one of these things, but with all of them--these, I contend, are wise and complete men, possessed of all the virtues." -Isocrates, from the Panathenaicus In addition to those I count a strong curiosity for goodness in all its forms and the will and action to perfect an athletic and capable body. -NFH

****, Lee and I just sat down and enjoyed our first meal of Nik-shot Montana venison; grilled backstrap and salad.  ****, it was delicious.  I'd like to thank you for helping me create this meal, for making the hunting experience awesome in the truest sense of that word.  I'd like to get more flowery but I don't think it appropriate or really necessary to spice up a heartfelt thanks.  Thank you. I've looked around for the plans I drew up when I got back from the last trip but haven't found them.  I'm beginning to think I confused those with my current house remodel plans...but I did make some notes on the way home about the kind of house I'd like to build. Straw bale for insulation and rammed earth for thermal mass.  Both are local materials, both appropriate to the climate, and both help give the house the wall-thickness and solidity I like in my architecture.  I like open beams in the ceiling/roof, and I'd see how much scavenging/salvaging I could do to get good, high quality used materials (beams, windows, doors, floors, fixtures etc.)  Loved your pull up bar between beams, even if I couldn't reach it. As far as design, it always seems so site dependent.  I'd look for a site with good southerly views of mountains and some bottom land, with a line of willows showing where the water flows and the deer live.  Near a road but out of site and blocked by geographical features. After only a few days of winter living I was reminded of how important the interface between indoors and outdoors is in a cold and wet climate.  I'd have a long entry way (10-25') with plenty of southern exposure, maybe take the green house idea from earth ships and place it so the entry way is the heater for the house during winter. In the entryway I'd put in a specific number of boxes (one for each permanent resident plus two more) for shoes/boots etc as well as plenty of hooks and more boxes or shelves for jackets, hats, and hand coverings.  I've developed the idea for a solar boot dryer/heater, so I'd put one of those in each "box". Because I've got dogs and I'm into them, I'd plan for an airlock double dog door with mats and body brushes for the dogs on the way in.  I like to give my dogs free reign, so it's only appropriate that I make sure they're not a pest about it. An open floor plan has always been a favorite of mine, but along with solar hot water, solar panels, rainwater catchment/storage and general energy/water efficiency I just take all that as a given; no need to go over the basics more than a few times. Some key points: -run plumbing so there are no joints in the walls, so there's the shortest run possible between heater and faucet, and insulate all lines.  Make it so access is very easy (maintenance room on the north side seems the best way to do this.  Easy access and free insulation.) -I like the industrial look of exposed utilities, it also makes working on them easier. -radiant heat floors (for constant heat so fixtures don't freeze during away time.) -I like a soft floor, but every time I've lived with carpet it just gets fucking disgusting after a while.  I'd go with throw rugs, pillows, etc. for easy cleaning and comfortable living. -wood stove for fast and pleasant heat, ideally a soapstone heater. -bathrooms should be well ventilated, warm, and have plenty of daylight, as well as being private parts of the house. -I don't like guests to stay more than a week, so I'd keep a pretty open arrangement as far as their living/sleeping quarters.  Maybe a shoji screen at the max, although I'd probably invest in a good natural mattress (latex or foam rubber, whatever) so they get a great nights sleep.  That is not at all a reflection on your guest sleeping arrangement, I slept like a baby at your place.  I just really like the idea of giving guests the highest quality quarters that are obviously (in a way that says "move on" after a few days) not permanent.  Along with that idea there needs to be a private place where one can get away from everyone else.  Usually the bedroom works for this, although I've read about specially designed reading nooks protected by a heavy curtain that sound interesting. -the living space itself does not need to be large; the kitchen and living/dining/whatever room don't need to be more than 400 sq ft. -All that "living" space should be really functional; stove, countertop, table, a "desking" space or two (depending on how many folks will live there, and enough electrical outlets to plug in all the bits and bobs of modern day life. -living areas well lit with as much daylight as possible while staying within the confines of passive heating/cooling -plenty of storage space (cubbies or cabinets under stairs, as many places to put things in as you'd find in a small boat.  Out of sight but well organized, plenty of book shelves. -get the fridge and freezer up against the north wall, running the coils outside to take advantage of outdoor "coolth."  Good design on the sunfrost.com site. -Total bed/living/bath area shouldn't need to be more than 900 sq ft.  It's the gear and the workshop that really need the space. -give gear it's designated place, with room enough to plan outings, lay out clothes and equipment, drip dry areas, and specific cubby holes for "families" of gear (i.e. hunting, skiing, riding, whatever.)  The gear room should be fully a part of the home climate control, warm enough to change clothes in, with an easy drain floor system for wet boots/rain jackets etc.  I'd put the laundry in here if I could, making sure to follow my plumbing rules (above) and if necessary install an additional tankless water heater for it. -a workshop is essential.  This should be large enough to work on "winter" projects, with passive and renewable powered heating/cooling an integral part of design.  I think 800 sq ft is plenty (includes indoor and covered outdoor)   Roughly equal indoor and covered outdoor space.  Woodshop, metal work, mechanic stuff...all important parts of a good shop.  The shop roof should be dedicated to the usual rainwater catchment and solar energy production, and should ideally be powered by a combination of wind/solar and hydro energy, backed up by a generator and battery bank. -if I could get away with it I'd put up at least a covered area for vehicles, if I had space and I could hide it well I'd put in a small garage to allow me to keep up my vehicles for much longer. That's all for now, until I find a site I don't know how much more detail I could get into and not be a total daydream waste of time. Great to see you, looking forward to our next meeting. Take care, NFH

CR, Going through some journal entries from a few months ago and found this from a Seneca quote: [The wise man] does not have to walk nervously or cautiously, for he has such self confidence that he does not hesitate to make a stand against fortune and will never give ground to her.  He has no reason to fear her, since he regards as held on sufferance not only his goods and possessions and status, but even his body, his eyes and hand, and all that makes life more dear, and his very self; and he lives as though he were lent to himself and bound to return the loan on demand without complaint. Nor is he thereby cheap in his own eyes because he knows he is not his own, but he will act in all things as carefully and meticulously as a devout and holy man guards anything entrusted to him.  And whenever he is ordered to repay his debt he will not complain to Fortune, but he will say; "I thank you for what I have possessed and held.  I have looked after your property to my great benefit, but at your command I give and yield it with gratitude and good will.  If you want me still to have anything of yours I shall keep it safe; if you wish otherwise, I give back and restore to you my silver, both coined and plate, my house, and my household." Should Nature demand back what she previously entrusted to us we shall say to her too: "Take back my spirit in better shape than when you gave it.  I do not quibble or hang back:  I am willing for you to have straight away what you gave me before I was conscious--take it."  What is the harm in returning to the point from whence you came?" -Seneca, On the Shortness of Life This fleshes out the basic ideas of non-attachment and how it ensures tranquility.  I especially like the idea of "take back my spirit in better shape than you found."  Living well for the experience alone of living well and righteously.  This whole of idea of not being a slave to anything lends freedom to my thoughts and ideas. See you soon. NFH

I found I love the American West, that there's a whole hell of a lot of country out there that is still pretty untouched, that there's nothing like the warm rays of first light on a cold desert morning, that freedom is worth running fast and loose for, and that the most important things for me are happiness, health, peace, love, and joy. I've found that wealth follows all that stuff, that dogs are the ultimate animal companion, that sharing hardship with one good friend is better than dining in luxury with a hundred, and that the highest quality people and experiences come to you when you focus on doing your best in life. I've found I'd rather have less than more and that the adage, "The more you know the less you need" rings true for me. Thought you'd dig it.  Been listening to a lot of Willie Nelson lately, I've found he always affects my mood towards freedom, hobo style.  It's a good thing if I can keep a handle on it. Cheers, Nik

tough sense of humor/levity show generosity conscious of diction/vocabulary Justifiable self confidence and belief in self read for professional development Joy in their work care for others Respect for blue collar work and craftsmen Attention to detail Integrity Self awareness of ability/capability Understands the place of physicality Willingness to face facts List makers Written goals Talking to yourself Lack of patience when it comes to self improvement Taking the job seriously Desire/excitement to learn new things Willingness to eat new ideas Willing to put in time to increase competence

CR, Am reading "Let My People Go Surfing" by Chouinard and these passages stood out enough for me to adapt them to my own work, with inspiration for a more concrete personal philosophy. Cheers, NFH Philosophy of Architecture (from Let My People Go Surfing, Y Chouinard 1. Don't build a new building unless it's absolutely necessary.  The most responsible thing to do is to buy used buildings, construction materials, and furniture. 2. Try to save old or historic buildings from being torn down.  Any structural changes should honor the historical integrity of the building.  We rectify misguided "improvements" made by previous tenants and strip way fake modern facades, ending up we hope with a building that is a "gift to the neighborhood." 3. If you can't be retro, build quality.  The aesthetic life expectancy of the building should be as long as the physical material's life span. 4. Use recycled, and recyclable, materials like steel girders, studs, re-milled wood, and straw bales.  Install fixtures from waste materials like pressed sunflower hulls and agricultural waste. 5. Anything that is built should be repairable and easily maintained. 6. Buildings should be constructed to last as long as possible, even if this initially involves a higher price. 7. Each [house] must be unique.  The heroes, sports, history, and natural features of each area should be reflected and honored. Patagonia Philosophy: a deep appreciation for the environment and a strong motivation to help solve the environmental crisis; a passionate love for the natural world; a healthy skepticism toward authority; a love for difficult, human-powered sports that require practice and mastery; a disdain for motorized sports like snowmobiling or jet skiing; a bias for whacko, often self-deprecating humor; a respect for real adventure (defined best as a journey from which you may not come back alive--and certainly not as the same person); a taste for real adventure; and a belief that less is more (in design and in consumption) My Philosophy: A unconditional love for individual humans I meet, a deep and loving connection for the natural world; a curiosity about how things work, a deep rooted intent to help others reach their potential; a healthy skepticism toward authority; a love for difficult, human-powered sports that require practice and mastery; a disdain for motorized sports like snowmobiling or jet skiing; a respect for real adventure (defined best as a journey from which you may not come back alive--and certainly not as the same person); a taste for real adventure; and a belief that less is more (in design and in consumption)