Living in a small home, Part 1

View out picture window in kitchen

I made my first visit to the Norris House in June, at the end of the build part of the project. Finishing touches were happening inside—assembly of the bed platform, installation of bathroom shelves, sewing of slipcovers for the furniture cushions. The floor was still covered in paper to protect it from dusty footsteps, tool boxes and ladders occupied floor space inside the house, and students were in and out finishing up their work. The house felt open because of the high ceiling in the living area, but it also felt… small. At 768 square feet (not including the loft), the perception of “small” is relative, but that was my first impression. We were living in a 1,200 square foot condo with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and a 1,350 square foot house with a garage before that, so it was obvious we would need to do some purging and rent a storage unit for things like furniture and larger items, and some miscellaneous boxes.

View from kitchen through bedroom window

My original perception of the interior has changed after living in the house for several months. With the floors uncovered, the furniture in place, and only two of us here, it no longer seems small.

High ceiling and view to the backyard

There are windows on every side of the house, allowing light in and views out. I can sit at the kitchen table, look across to the living space, and out the doors and window into the trees out back. The window in the kitchen between the counter tops and cabinets might be my favorite window in the house. Sitting at the kitchen table, I can look out the window to a direct view of the sky and trees and birds.

A favorite view

Without the high ceiling and skylight, the house would certainly still feel small, but the open space combined with all the windows gives the feeling of living in a house that is larger than the plans say it is. It wouldn’t be difficult to live in a house this size after our time here is over (the time saved on cleaning a smaller house is a perk). For now, we’re enjoying the views and the light.

Saturday Work Day

Today we had an official Saturday workday - and what a great day it was. The rain finally subsided and warm temperatures allowed for a great deal of progress on the landscape front. A number of landscaping students came out today to help with filling Deltalok bags and forming the retention beds in the backyard (as spoken of in Valerie's blog). Other exciting achievements include setting the west deck and ramp along the side of the house - in addition to cutting the bottom edge of the siding along the north (front) elevation.

Chris and Matt C. set the range-hood vent and continued siding along the East elevation, while Katharine and I finished up paint on the ceiling in the loft and living/kitchen areas. The house has been cleaned out to allow for a clean painting environment, and we began priming the window frames and casements. Arya and Matt have also been making an amazing amount of progress on the tiling. We can certainly see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Painting various wood materials in the house have caused a great deal of conversation over the past couple of days. There is exposed structure (joists, structural decking) in the bedroom - and it has been discussed as to whether that material should be left exposed or painted white as originally planned. With delivery of the reclaimed red/white oak flooring, in addition to the painted "Yarborough Yellow" accent wall, it seems that we must decide whether the wall or ceiling will be the accent. Between the oak wood floor, yellow wall, and pine ceiling - there may be too many materials with competing tonal/accentual values.

Though it was tough to paint the beloved Atlantic white cedar fixed window frames this afternoon, after stepping back it became obvious that it was the right choice to paint these the same white as the walls. The frame begins to disappear into the wall and the landscape beyond becomes the main foci. This began to clarify the fact that materials may be beautiful individually, however their place in the overall scheme or palette may not work effectively to emphasize the intended effect.

In other news, progress has been made on the East/West door hardware. Phil Clawson, our Andersen representative will be coming up to the site on Tuesday to help us re-evaluate our integration of Andersen door hardware into our custom doors. He and Sam Ledford of Hiwassee Window & Door have been a great deal of help to us in coordinating this initiative. God-willing, we will procure the hardware and start construction on those soon.

The Hinge Goes Where?!

Being a new hand on deck to the New Norris House team lasted all of five minutes. Immediately I was thrown into the thick of things building frames and doors for the house. I was quickly trained how to take lumber from a supplier, which is usually warped in some direction, and take it through the jointer and planer to make a square-edged truly straight member. These pieces were used on my first assignment - the crawl space door.

The crawl space door was only a warm-up for what proved to be one of the more challenging doors to fabricate in the New Norris House, the shutter door. The purpose of this door is to allow heat buildup to be pulled out of the house through stack ventilation. The shutter door itself is approximately 8" x 4', merely a small rectilinear punch through the upstairs loft space. The shutter is a culmination of manual, mechanical, and digital technologies. The challenge mostly came from the concealed, rotating pivot hinges. The hinges, made overseas, were in metric measurements and needed a jig that we were lacking to install. This is where years and years of architecture school come in very handy. Problem solving becomes our sharpest skill. So, many times we begin to use tools made for one purpose for a completely different purpose. Thankfully, and maybe luckily, the door hinges turned out spectacular.

The design of the shutter door handle itself was a collaboration with Jimmy Ryan and myself. We both wanted a hardware-free door handle, something simple but well designed. The final product is a void where hardware would typically be on the shutter. Overlapping this gentle void made with the CNC router is a cedar board, bringing the natural colors of the exterior of the house inside to the user. The overlap become a rounded edge for the users hand to slip into the void using the cedar overhang as a pull.

CNC Milling the void

After the CNC milling process we built the frame and installed our hard work. It fit like a glove and has already proven to be effective in pulling air out of the house. This I know because the dry-wallers were sanding down their mud while we were installing the door, causing particulate to fly out of the house and into my eyes while standing on the ladder installing it. It is now and place and now time to start on a new door...

Honing the Skills

Though we completed our entry door frames and slabs [inner structure] near the end of last semester, there is still a great deal of designing and fabricating to be done on them. Additionally, there are two more doors and a cistern enclosure door to be completed. The past few days have been spent getting our drawings, materials, and skills in line.

Because a new team came on-line just last week, it has been important to get everyone on the same page. Because I spent a great deal of time in the wood-shop last semester, I have been showing newbies Justin and Matt how to use specific tools and fabrication processes so that they will be knowledgeable as the semester progresses. We have started with the simplest [crawl space] door in order to hone our skills. In three days we have gone over how to: 1) take a rough-cut and often warped piece of wood through a jointer, planer, and table saw in order to get it perfectly square; 2) biscuit join the inner slab; 3) rout the plywood faces for a perfect edge; 4) dato cut the corners of the door frame for an optimal gluing surface; and 5) assemble the pieces for a square frame.

Aside from showing off our fresh skills, this list begins to show the importance of understanding the process of building component assembly and fabrication when solving design problems both on the site and in the office/lab during the design and drawing process. In order to draw a manufactured object, one must first know how to manufacture that object.

For example: today Matt, Justin and I went to research some Andersen hardware for our doors. Needing all entry hardware to match [between our Andersen french doors and self-fabricated doors] we are required to use a specific hardware which requires us to rout mechanical channels into the edges of our fabricated doors. It was a culminating moment for me to see us work through this multi-faceted problem together. Now that Matt and Justin have a sense of familiarity with the fabrication process, it is easy for us to have intelligent problem-solving conversations about how we can fabricate these doors to work with our complex hardware. It will only get easier as we become more adept in the fabrication process.

Being familiar with how something is built only pushes a design further because it allows us to fix an issue before it becomes one. As we acquire more knowledge about building methods and tools, we bring compounding options on how to solve a single problem. This honing of skills will only help us as we begin to work through even more complex designs of details - such as our hidden-opaque-window-assembly [even the name is complex] due next week.

For some of us graduation is just around the corner, making it easy to think about how these skills apply to an office environment. Throughout this process of designing, testing, redesigning, building, and repeating as necessary, we will be able to pass this knowledge of design and process on to our peers and co-workers, allowing us to improve overall design intent from large to small-scale, and effectively enhance collaborative energy and problem solving in an office environment.

Things are beginning to take shape, and long-awaited moments are being realized.

The house officially has three installed windows! Earlier in the day, a few of the openings underwent some prep work including trimming of the exterior rigid insulation and flashing installments. By the end of the day, three windows were in place.

House Norris is also very close to being able to wear its beautiful siding for the late fall season. Some of our team members have been working very precisely on mounting the furring strips for the siding which has been in the priming process for many hours back at the architecture building.

The site has also been seeing a few new working faces. Some electrical work was done today, and the backyard portion of the site is in the process of being graded.

It is this interaction with the other non-student participants that I feel may be somewhat overlooked. The amount we learn from them is incredible, even if it's just knowing that and why they are there with us. We may not have worked with the plumbers or electricians directly, but seeing them on site for a few days reminds us that this work is also a necessary part of the building (and design) process. Those with whom we DO interact are teaching us more that we might have expected. Albert from our general contractor, Johnson and Gallion, has really surprised us with the amount of effort put into teaching us. We are grateful for his explanations and demonstrations on both the small scale (how to set up a roof angle with the speed square or putting tape on his safety glasses when not in use to protect them from being scratched) and the larger scale (how to install a door or window). Oftentimes we find ourselves in awe of these professionals' skills (like using a circular saw with just one hand!). This more practical learning, I think, is just as important and enjoyable.

rain, rain, go away.

Unfortunately the weather seems to be getting the best of team Norris. We had another day a rain today which meant that we were unable to continue with the unfinished business on site. Fortunately there was plenty of work to get done in the computer lab and in the woodshop. We also were able to tend to some general housekeeping details that have been piling up while we have been on site.

The windows and doors are coming along slowly but surely. A large group of us spend most of today in the woodshop preparing wood for the blocking and framing portions of the windows. The glass for the windows was delivered yesterday, Tuesday the 2nd, and we all look foreword to the day we can see all the pieces come together in all their beauty. One thing we are nervous about however is getting the glass panels to the site. They are quite large and heavy and, as we all know, glass is…well…glass.

Having spent the entire day in the woodshop I have discovered that although our woodshop in the art and architecture building on campus is more than adequate for most of what the students need, it can sometimes become very cramped and crowded when you are trying to build large scale objects for an actual building rather than a small scale model. I feel that if the university plans for more design-build projects in the future, an investment in a larger workspace dedicated solely to the design-build program is necessary.

While most focused on the windows and doors, a few headed to the computer lab to work on certain details of the Norris House, and to finalize the job site sign that includes the names of all our sponsors. Allie Ross, who has experience with LEED documentation, took today to organize and read over our LEED folders. She believes that she may have found an extra point that we can acquire- great news as we need as many as possible to reach our goal of LEED Platinum.
Although we were able to get a lot done today while in the art and architecture building, we hope that the weather cooperates with us on Friday so we can get out to the site and complete a few things before the weekend. The forecast calls for afternoon showers, so keep your fingers crossed that the weather will shift in our favor.
Peace.Love.Norris….

Happy November!

After a week of rain, it was back to work for Team Norris. Down at the wood shop, the better half of Team Norris was busy priming the siding and putting the last touches on the windows. Out on site, the other half of Team Norris installed insulation under the house and began the cistern enclosure. Here, the gang learned a lesson in one of the downfalls in prefabrication. The cistern was previously build by students last semester, but plans and drawings of the design have changed since them. Although we appreciate prefabrication in all of its glory, much of today was spent taking apart prefabricated panels, re-fabricating them, and then installing them correctly. Because so much time was spent redoing the panels of the cistern, we didn’t get to finish. But that’s ok because we can finish on Wednesday and it is going to look awesome, like always. In other news, the plumber and the electrician were also on site to discuss some details in their line of work. We look forward to finishing up the cistern and installing some siding and windows in the new few weeks!

Ready, Set, GO!

Well the last few weeks have definitely been a race to get the foundation ready for the big delivery as well as preparing the dormer for attachement. With both those accomplished last week and this week we are now moving on to bigger things.On site, the foundation and piers are now nearing completion with intentions of pouring the bond beam on the rest of the foundation tomorrow morning. This includes finishing up pouring the Perlite as the foundation insulation and getting things ready for the house drop next week!

Back at headquarters, Jimmy has been working on the window frames and tackling the monster of a frame that shall eventually flood northern light into the lofted area. Meanwhile, Katharine and myself have been putting together a temporary door for extra security until we get the final doors built. (You'll just have to wait and see what surprise is in store with this temporary door.) Arya and Michele broke in the new StopSaw working on the furring strips for the gabled ends of the house, though no one seems to want to test out the brakes on the system-I wouldn't blame them either. Plus the four of us have been continually working on priming more and more siding for the house. As Patrick noted, the feat of installing the siding is going to be just as time consuming, but the end results will be worth it.

With fall break encroaching on us tomorrow and Friday we all are assuring ourselves that our efforts will not go unnoticed while we are gone. I am sure we all will be rejuvenated and ready to kick it into high gear for the race to the end of the semester.

143: TEN-FOUR!

October 4th was a busy work day for the Norris House team. The class was split into a few groups in order to accomplish the multitude of tasks that need to be completed in the near future. Jimmy maintained his hard work ethic and powered through more windows and began working on the temporary doors that will keep all the creepsters out of the house while it is still under construction. He also began work on a beast of a window that allows for a clear view from the loft area towards the wooded area behind the house. The reason said window is a beast: it is a crazy trapezoidal shape and must be constructed within an inch of perfection so that it will fit into the already installed dormer. I believe in jimmy’s precision. go jim jim go!

My correspondent at 143 Oak Road, Andy Pittman, informed me of the Masonry group’s progress, and it seems that they are nearing completion on the foundation walls. Today they were able to lay both piers in the center of the house and finish the wall that faces the street. Apparently there was a lot of measuring of the block today in order to make sure everything was fine and level.

The rest of us left back at the architecture building were tasked with playing Dad on Christmas morning. We had the pleasure of putting together the new tools that we will soon be bringing to the site. We also returned to staining the never ending stack of siding. We are looking foreword to the day when instead of sitting there painting the siding for hours, we are actually nailing it to the side of the house.... for hours.

All in all we are working hard to stay on schedule. Thursday and Friday are fall break for us at UT so we are making that extra push now so we can enjoy a couple days off.

Rain, rain go away...

Originally, the house was supposed to arrive from the Clayton factory today to be pieced together onsite. However, weather delays have slowed down on-site production, holding off delivery, and today was no different. We have been waiting for fall to show up around here, and it has- in true Knoxville fashion- with a 68 degree high, gray storm clouds and rainy drizzle.

A little chill and rain could not hold us back though! A few members of the masonry team trekked out to Norris once the rain died down and tied off rebar in preparation for the pouring of the bond beam. This was initially to be done today, but drying cement and rain do not mix. Instead, it has been moved to Wednesday, which should give adequate drying time before the house is placed on-site on Friday.

Back at the woodshop, production on the dormer, windows, and skylight continued.

Arya, Michele, Patrick, Maxi, and Allie Ross fastened together the roof of the dormer, and are excited to bolt the three sides to it and each other on Wednesday before it is carried off to Clayton. (Any volunteers on helping us carry those pieces to the loading dock?)

Jimmy headed up the windows team, finishing the last of his meticulously made window frames and starting on the stops with the help of Chris and Katharine. They made sure the part of the window the inhabitant can see is smooth to the touch and beautiful to look at. Thank goodness for the belt sander!

In the computer lab, Tyler prepared for his meeting tomorrow with the roofer, preparing the model of the flashing and coordinating drawings, while Andy put his graphic design skills to work on a job site sign. This sign will serve as an informational tool for the Norris community, describing the goals of the project and listing those who have worked on it.

It was a very productive day for the house. We had thought we might not have enough to do, but not a single person left until the 5:30 bell. Just goes to show what we have all been thinking- there will always be something to do on the Norris House!

Week Six in Review

What a week it's been. At the A+A, Monday and Wednesday consisted of cutting down the stationary windows' Atlantic white cedar to size, sheathing the dormer walls, and mastering the bolt connections for the dormer. Wednesday's excitement included the first [and second] window assembly after the corner dado/rebate joints were cut [pictures and videos to come]. Also, the dormer team's diligent efforts brought them close to completion, and Friday morning Arya, Michelle, and Patrick made final preparations for its site delivery next week.

Believe it or not, even despite all of the mile markers passed at the A+A the most progress this week was made on site. Thursday and Friday blended together, consisting of a stellar performance by the masonry crew in laying two walls in two days, and exemplary brawn by the rest of the class in moving blocks, mortar, gravel, and pouring perlite CMU insulation. It was a physical workout for sure, though shown by Allie-Ross and Katharine's new 'gravel shoveling ab workout routine', everyone made the best of it.

Thursday morning at 7:45 AM, we started with four wall footings and three pallets of cinder blocks. By 4:45 PM Friday, the foundation of a house was more than 50% completed. It was fitting that we finished the day with the whole team on site. Though it was easy to become distracted by each of our individual tasks, upon stepping back and looking at the class working as a whole, it became apparent that bigger things than construction were happening in Norris. Our class has become quite the well-oiled machine.

In a short amount of time, large amounts of preparation and anticipation [weeks for some and years for others] have come to culmination. In just a matter of days, the house will be on site, foundation work will conclude, and the house will drop. This is an incredibly exciting time for the Norris class. But to quote the 'Carpenters' duo, "We've Only Just Begun."