Free Quonset House Plans: Side Window Studio Hut

My latest addition to the Free Plans Download Library at CleverModerns.com is now live: the Side Window Studio Hut. In this brief video I explain the design a little bit and look at the 3D model. This building is based on our Headquarters Hut at the Quompound.
Free download page: www.clevermode.... Scroll down to the Side Window Studio Hut and grab the download! The download includes basic plans, sections, and elevations, as well as a few technical specifications and some photos of our build.
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[@BigSkyAtNight]

Very cool that you’re offering free plans 👍. It’s nice to hear some details about the hut also.

[@native1181]

You are gift to the world!!!!

[@sirstephen2648]

Been waiting for some new videos love getting ideas from you as you know ours will be sitting 14 foot off the ground on a wooden floor box about to get started heavy on it this year I'll email you pictures

[@shafeequepezhumkattilperum3535]

very good thank you sir

[@CleverModerns]

Most welcome, enjoy.

[@danthefireman5229]

I’m wondering how cost effective it is to build vs the modern ways?

[@gordonyork6638]

I've thought often of using quonset huts to live in. As an artist I really like just one big living area. BTW: what kind of bike did you make in the background as you were filming yourself?

[@CleverModerns]

When I was in architecture school we all built bikes one summer in a summer seminar class and that’s when I learned to weld. Maybe I’ll do a video on the bike at some point! People ask me about it from time to time.

[@whoanelly737-8]

Very cool

[@CleverModerns]

🙌

[@lotus....]

How have the windows held up over time? Any leakage? We recently bought a property that has a 36x78ft Quonset on it that is a barn. Ventilation isn't great. I would like to have at least a few windows on each side in the center to get some cross ventilation going. Exploring options lol.

[@JonStpeter]

Hi, I'm curious if you can give me some idea of costs for spray foam installation. I realize you're not a contractor, but I'm trying to establish if its worth it to go with the quonset or if savings are offset by the cost of spray foam. Thanks

[@Wacko20111]

Earl I have a question. Could a Quonset Hut be converted to be an earthship? completely self sufficient with passive solar, and thermal AC? I've seen some that were buried and question whether the soil / weight might be an issue.

[@CleverModerns]

Burying them is more difficult than most people think and is actually pretty dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Earthship - maybe? I thought earthships were primarily built out of recycled materials and/or trash etc (used tires, cans, etc.) so in that sense I think an "earthship" in the proper sense is a different type of structure. But if you just mean could it be passive solar, self-sufficient, etc then absolutely. If you're talking about converting an existing structure then the passive solar aspect won't really work unless it's already facing due south to get the maximum solar gain. Or I suppose you could completely disassemble the thing and set it on a new foundation, giving it the correct orientation for the solar gain.

[@Wacko20111]

@@CleverModerns Thank you for your response Earl. My wife and I are going to build using a quonset hut, but also wanted to use passive solar and use cooling tubes which would require a berm near the quonset. I appreciate any of your wisdom.

[@808SBESTCOM]

Is it possible to add a concrete swale at the base of either side of concrete foundation for ground water catchment for sub-grade storage tanks? I have a one acre parcel on The Big Island of Hawaii in escrow right now and could really use some help pulling everything together for a Steal Master home-base-model. Thank you.

[@CleverModerns]

I think it’s totally doable. We set lines in the ground for this exact type of setup, we just haven’t done the concrete work.

[@CleverModerns]

Aloha and good luck!! You got this!

[@boualairatsavong6392]

hi there, I am a big fan of all your designs and subcriber. I plan to build one in the near future. I would like to be in contact with you in the future. My wife and I live in the Midwest and we plan on building our dream Quonset home in a couple years. we wanted to ask you any question that we have. please keep us updated on your projects.

[@lf-1942]

Excellent information on this type of building. Nothing new for a year now, are you no longer posting on KZbin or just taking a break? Thanks.

[@CleverModerns]

Thank you for the kind words! I hope to get back to making some new uploads this fall.

[@DustyC75080]

Hey, what’s the approximate price/cost of this guy (the 600 sq footer)? (Apologies for being ‘the’ price/cost dude)

[@CleverModerns]

@@DustyC75080 I mean you could probably do something like this for under $100K but construction cost varies wildly everywhere and DIY vs hiring a contractor makes a huge difference in cost too. Could you do it for $50K? Hard to say, probably not - unless it was nearly all DIY and you skipped the side windows.

[@DustyC75080]

@@CleverModerns Gotcha, that’s more than I expected. (Elephant in the room: is that what you paid? Lol. Totally respect if you don’t want/choose to divulge.)

[@CleverModerns]

@@DustyC75080 We're still building it, and on our end it's kind of all lumped in with the two other buildings on our property plus all the site development costs associated with the whole property together, (septic, water, power, road & grading, etc.) I don't really have a breakdown all put together in any kind of a neat tidy spreadsheet if that's what you're asking for. I'm just throwing numbers out up above there, really. Don't take my word for it, do your own cost breakdown and prove me wrong! The building itself cost about $15K, the side windows aren't cheap (and that doesn't include the actual window, just the box assembly that fits into the Quonset shell) the slab was another $9K. So that's about half of your $50K if that's what you're aiming for. Then budget your windows & doors, framing, plumbing, electrical, some kind of heating system, insulation, finishes, etc.

[@lelandeggleston1041]

Any chance you will be uploading any news videos? I follow on Facebook.

[@JD-po3uk]

Thanks!!!

[@gmog7857]

Are these STAINLESS STEEL or ZINC? What about the RUST FACTOR near the ocean?🖐🖐🖐🖐🖐🖐🖐

[@earlparson3936]

They are made of a type of galvanized steel called Galvalume. I'm not sure what the warranty is in coastal areas but I'm sure if you contacted one of the manufacturers or did some google research on galvalume you could learn more.

[@lotus....]

I dont know if this helps you but I am near the ocean in FL and we have a quonset building that is quite old on a new property we bought. There is only a tiny bit of rust on one area of the bottom end side. It is set up on a cement apron and this is where the metal bottom meets the cement..it may not have been draining well/ not graded properly for drainage in that spot. We get a ton of rain in the summer. It probably could be easily cut out and fixed being its on the end panel that isnt as corrugated.

[@marioremondino9837]

What are the legalities and zoning. Can these be legally built. I’m actually a home builder😃 and build spec homes in surprise. Been reading the Maricopa zoning book. I’m not getting my questions answered. Looking to build a Quonset hut for my personal home. It will be in north Phoenix area. Looking to have half the hut garage fitness area. Can I build a home inside the hut? Potentially drive a go kart around the home but yet still inside the hut? What are my egress issues? I have a basic 1 line floor plan sketch on cad. But this is beyond my basic stick frame skills

[@CleverModerns]

Yes they can absolutely be legally built but zoning is very specifically different everywhere so I can't give you a one-size-fits-all answer. You just have to do the research where you want to build. Egress issues are the same as with any home, the big one is every bedroom must have an egress window per code. Side windows add a lot of cost and maintenance issues (leaks) so end wall windows work best.

[@grimacres]

Haven't been on Facebook for over a month now. Did you apply a coating to the huts? In the aerial shot they appear quite white and not Galvalume in color.

[@CleverModerns]

Hey Grim! No coating. These are just Galvalume, the contrast or whatever on the drone is just making them look white. Saw some images of what Scott's been up to with your place, looks great!!!

[@12vLife]

Hi. Subbed. Thank you for the great info! I am wondering if possible to achieve R-30 by adding an extension rods inside, bolting on floating 1x4 firings, wedging in R-30 7.5inch Rockwool insulation bats, taping on a vapor barrier and then screwing on 1/4 inch wood panels as my finished wall. I am trying to pass Florida building codes on a 1/4 acre lot that requires a 750sq dwelling. A structural engineer must draw plans and sign that it meets structural, wind and energy. I've talked to the county and they said no issues with aesthetics, open concept (no interior walls) and not having windows and doors on the sides (only front and back).

[@CleverModerns]

Your concept generally sounds good to me but I’m also not directly experienced with working with rockwool, we have used spray foam on ours. But I don’t see why you couldn’t do it as described. The vapor barrier will be super important. The joints between the metal panels themselves are not necessarily air/vapor tight unless you caulk them so that might be an issue? I’m not the greatest expert on high humidity climates. I know spray foam would seal it all up but in your case I don’t know if it would be important to seal all the seams from the inside or not.

[@12vLife]

@@CleverModerns Hello. Thanks for response! I think we have talked before. Have you been the owner builder permit process in Florida before? What county? I've since taken a change in direction and am looking into building something like this (solid cement walls, lots of glass and 4" insulated metal roof panels from All Weather insulated panels). kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYenep1nedN9rpI