Tuesday, June 07, 2011

We have plans

When we bought this house we had a plan—not a plan on paper, just an idea sort of plan. The plan was to buy this property that we liked, with the trees and the deep lot and the little creek running through it and to make the rather odd and ordinary house something more to our liking, and then out between the road and the creek, we would build a studio for me, attached to a greenhouse for Ray. It was a dreamy sort of plan, dependent on the money we would realize from the sale of our old house.

As you probably know, the old house didn't sell and was rented out for two years, so only part of the plan was possible. The house is getting there, with some further remodeling to come, but now the sale of the old house has revived the dream of the studio and greenhouse.


We actually started the process more than a year ago by asking our talented son-in-law to design the building for us. Carlos was an architect in Ecuador, though he is not working as one here. Learning about American construction methods and standards was a learning curve for him, but he persisted and came up with a very functional and beautiful design. Our next step was to consult with the county agency that regulates building near streams and waterways. We learned where the protected zone on each side of the creek extends and made sure our plans would conform to their regulations. With some modifications they did. Carlos drew and redrew the plans, making each modification as needed.

Finally, this winter it was time to run this all past the county bureaucrats who grant building permits. It was a bit like starting over, since they seemed doubtful that we were truly outside the protected conservation zone. Ray went back to the water people and got the two agencies communicating with each other about our property. Snarls of red tape. The county needed us to have the conservation zone re-surveyed. We did. We were fine, though poorer for the experience. Then they laid on us the news that the building, as designed, was too tall by a couple of feet. So it was back to the drawing board. Literally. Above are the (hopefully) final plans that will go back to the county for approval.

This is where we plan to build. Sofia is standing next to a stake that represents the front corner of the studio. The Northwest Elevation, above, will face the creek and our house that you can see back behind Sofia. It will be surrounded by tall, beautiful trees and I think will be such a lovely place to work. I am so grateful to my son-in-law. He has worked so hard on this project and created something that is exactly what I hoped for.

Wish us luck with the next round of applications. With any luck construction can start this summer. I hope to be able to share each phase right here.

13 comments:

  1. Wonderful! Cayo's plans are beautiful. I can see that we may have a hard time coaxing you out of your studio.

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  2. So excited to see this become reality.

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  3. How wonderful for you both and what great good luck to have such a talented SIL. Dreams really do come true!

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  4. How lucky are you! To have some a beautiful environment and a great design by Carlos is the envy of all our blogosphere friends. I'll enjoy watching the progress.

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  5. Fingers and toes crossed for you. The plans look very good. When approval is final you must share the inside design with us.

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  6. I'm so excited for you!!! Best of luck with the 'tape'.

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  7. What an accomplishment! Cayo does beautiful work. Fingers crossed that you can proceed on schedule.

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  8. How exciting!!! The plans look wonderful and the property beautiful. I wish you success with all the agencies you have to deal with. I look forward to seeing each phase of the building.

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  9. Anonymous9:59 AM

    How wonderful for you. It'll be fun watching the progress through your blog. Marken

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  10. Like everyone else up above, I'm so excited for you! Here's hoping you've come to the end of the naysaying from your permit people.

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  11. I stumbled across your blog and became facinated with your studio. What is the foot print dimension. The reason I ask is I have a very small house 23x20. Being into weaving, knitting, rug hooking, quilting, general sewing, I've given up on it being a normal house and look at it as a studio with "facilities".

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