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Design Dilemma
ab_bb

Building the Unusual ((HELP))

13 years ago
We are building our "Dream Home" ~ Only it's in a "HANGER" On an Airfield, in Texas.... We have our Hanger dimensions ~ The Hanger will be 60 Foot Wide x 55 Feet Deep & 28 Feet High...(Your Basic Ugly Metal Building) On the Outside:

Here's our Dilemma ~ (The Inside)

We have a basic concept of what we want in the loft, we'll be living on the mezzanine level, We are thinking a U Shape with the center open to the hanger level.

Where can we go for some help on how to put our ideas on paper????? Every time we put Pen to Paper, It looks like
a single wide trailer ... We want Open, Loft, Creative....
We want 2 Bedroom (Master Suite) & (Guest Suite) 2.5 Bath,
Kitchen, Living Room, Office, Pantry, Utility Room.
Our focus will be off the 60 Foot Balcony looking onto a
Green Area!

We'll only have 1 shot at getting this right ~ Any input would be so appreciated!

Thanks for looking ~
J&S
Featured Answer
  • 13 years ago
    Okay, here's my idea to start with. Think of the entire box of your hangar. Now think of the flat plane created by your 2nd floor.

    Now the fun part: move that floor over - *through* one or two walls - to create your balcony opposite your viewing area for downstairs. So the floor is the same size as your entire building, but some portion of it is outside.

    Now, for even more fun, twist the floor a little or a lot so it's not parallel to your hangar walls. You'll get some neat shapes.

    To make it easier to visualize, get two same-sized shoe boxes. and cut out the bottom of one. Stack everything: bottom: shoe box without lid. middle: cut out bottom piece. top: box with the bottom cut out. Slide the cut out bottom piece around.

    Would you be allowed to have a "shed" roof? It's one flat surface, but tilted. Or this other way with 1/2 flat and 1/2 tilted? (I don't know the name of it but here are some pictures). With a roof that size, think about solar panels, rooftop gardening, etc.

    Have fun!

    Comments (27)

    • PRO
      13 years ago
      An architect would be the best person to help bring your ideas into working drawings to be built. He / she would also be able to provide with other design or practical solutions as the design gets more refined.
    • 13 years ago
      Could you start by looking at floor plans for homes about that size that have a central patio area? What will be on the ground floor of your hangar? Will it be something you want to look down upon? (I'm assuming your 60 foot balcony will be on the outside of the hanger...or do you mean it will be looking down onto your ground floor?

      Sounds like a really interesting project!

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    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      The 60 Foot Balcony will be on the outside of the hangar, While on the inside, We'd like a "Catwalk" if you will ... Looking down into the hangar will basically be our Garage & A Place for a Plane (If we have enough money left over) After we complete the Hangar!! We've looked at several floorplans & have picked ideas out here & there... but trying to put them together have proven to be like putting two different puzzles together on one table .. =) ** Oh Yeah, this is going to be Fun ** We're excited about it!
    • 13 years ago
      You need an architect. There are actually many people with living quarters near their private airstrips. Consult the "professionals" section of houzz for your geographic area.
    • 13 years ago
      Hmmm, first thing, find out building codes for having motor vehicles near/in living spaces. You probably can't just have your catwalk overlook an open area with cars and planes. Don't bother designing a beautiful space if you won't actually be allowed to build it. Usually architects are well aware of code, but you do have an unusual situation and it warrants a lot of homework on your part.

      I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to correct your spelling since it's where you'll be living and you probably want to get it right. It's hangAr. (I swear, I'm not the spelling/grammAr police!)

      Assuming you can go ahead with your plan, are you sure you want a U shape and not a full circuit? It will be a long walk from one end to the other.

      I'm so intrigued by the idea of living in a hangar. I hope this can work for you and that you keep us updated as you go along.
    • 13 years ago
      You might want to look into warehouse conversions for ideas. This sort of rings a bell for something I've seen someplace, but can't remember where.

      http://tiboutoo.blogspot.com/2008/12/house-inside-airplane-hanger.html
    • 13 years ago
      It would be really cool if your balcony and catwalk were the same plane, sort of slicing the wall horizontally, with 1/2 inside and 1/2 outside, and just a wall of glass (sliding glass doors?) between them, so it's seamless in appearance.
    • 13 years ago
      Re: Building Codes: This Airport community is pretty much established, there are about 50 - 75 "HANGAR" =) Homes here, Planes/Cars are pretty much a given near our living spaces.
    • 13 years ago
      Since the airport community is well established, I suggest that you put out the word *there* that you are looking for an architect and would like recommendations.
    • 13 years ago
      Done ~ Wasn't impressed by the 2 leads I got... One basically looked like he let his 2 year old draw it & the other was an older gentleman ~ Very Trustworthy ..but Snoozeville... Between Houzz & HGTV I'm motivated to get a lil bit outside the box!!
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Contact local Architects and Interior Designers, they will be your best resource. It's such a huge project, it would be impossible to give accurate advice on a forum like Houzz, without seeing the actual space.
    • 13 years ago
      Thanks, Gabberts,, "The Space" hasn't been built yet, This is why I'm trying now to solicit, Ideas & Suggestions on where to begin..

      The actual "Hangar" is just that: A Metal Box ~ That can't be changed, What is built on the Inside is where we can be creative.
    • 13 years ago
      Do you want your living space to be a rather traditional type of space, or do you want something a bit "out there"? What type of feeling are you going for? What interests you aside from flying?
    • 13 years ago
      Considering the fact, that we'll be living in a "Hangar" (Doing better huh?)

      It's already a pretty good assumption we are not going the traditional route... We are not looking for an industrial feeling, We like wood & stone {{Warm}} ~ We love Travel, Wine, Cooking!
    • 13 years ago
      Good job with your "speeling" :)

      Is the roof flat or a dome?
    • 13 years ago
      Did you take a look at my link? While this is a deluxe architect designed version, it may give you some ideas, maybe even looking at the container and folding buildings by the same architect. Can give you some interesting ideas.

      Definately agree that you will need to isolate vehicle and living space somehow--no need to have carbon monoxide problems. It may be best to have a "garage portion that is ventilated somehow and open to the elements, and a sealed divider between, even with a catwalk. Perhaps the building can be divided in two with windows to look at the hangar portion.

      Figure out possible plans on graph paper and then consult an architect who is forward thinking and playful enough to jump at the chance to do something so unique. You might get a referral from the state branch of the AIA (American Institute of Architects).
    • 13 years ago
      Thank You for the Great Info, Yes, i did like the link... Spent a bit of time on it actually!.. We do have a few drafts on graph paper & I'd LOVE someone with some forward & playful thinking to take a peek at it, Thanks for the idea of checking out AIA! -Much Appreciated!
    • 13 years ago
      Orange, It will be Flat or a Peak... We'd love Dome, but it would never be approved at our Air Field ....
    • 13 years ago
      I'm on a flight right now, But I'm calling "The Hangar Association to see if I can have a slanted roof!!!.... Wishe me LucK......
    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      ab_bb..... this is really interesting........send me a floor plan sketch with some dimension. I want to play with this if you don't mind. (lifespalette@comcast.net)
    • 13 years ago
      S. Thomas, there is no floor plan, and no building yet. The space will be 55' x 60' and 28' high. ab_bb is starting from scratch and looking for ideas, as outlined at the beginning of the thread.

      I too find this interesting, and keep thinking about what I would do if this were my space. It's a welcome break from focusing on the best use of space in my MUCH smaller home. I look forward to seeing your suggestions here on houzz.
    • 13 years ago
      ab_bb, any updates?
    • 13 years ago
      Update: Dirt is paid for ~ Steel is ordered & Will be delivered in about 4 weeks ~ We have a rough draft of the "Living Space" that will be on the mezzanine level (Approx 1800 Sq Ft) & Small Apartment (Approx 560 Sq Ft) Down stairs ~ We're getting Excited!~ S. Thomas Kutch, Did you receive my email?
    • 13 years ago
      ab_bb, I'm glad things are moving forward. I look forward to more from you as the project goes along. :)
    • 13 years ago
      Thank You, We are getting very excited ~ but we also know we have 1Shot at this & We want to do it right,,, (HaHa Knowing we'll always Wished, we'd done this or that different)
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      This is exciting! Keep us updated with pictures and plans!
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