Expert: Nazim Nice - 11/18/2009

Question
I have a difficult building site which dictates a small foundation footprint. As small as 10'wide x 10'-16'long. What I would like to do is construct a larger, cantilevered structure on a large scale concrete foundation mass/anchor. The enclosed structure may be two or three stories tall,range in width from 12' to 16' and in length from 20'to 40'. To suport the living enclosure(s), I would like to use pre-engineered/pre-fabricated bridge type wooden trusses, steel or aluminum trusses may be acceptable alternatives, pre-cast/fabricated concrete beam/floors might suffice and a cast-in-place concrete box or 'U' beam could also provide some interesting creative alternatives, although I assume the cost for that would be greater than the other alternatives. I am looking for some pre-existing examples of this type of residential construction/architecture that won't necessarily involve evoking Frank Lloyd Wright per se', as the neighbors' eyeballs start to glaze over at that point. Thanks for any help rendered. Bob Titus

Answer
Hi Bob,

Sounds like it could be a very cool house!  It reminds me of some of the homes seen on HGTV's extreme home program, such as this one:

http://www.hgtv.com/home-improvement/extreme-living-homes-that-stand-way-outside...

I would say most examples you find will be modern, and perhaps industrial.  I would look at Rem Koolhaas - here is an example:
http://www.selectism.com/news/2008/09/26/koolhaas-houselife/

Locally, Eric Cobb did a pretty large cantilevered home:
http://www.cobbarch.com/

You might also find some inspiration on Olson Sunberg's website such as this house:
http://www.oskaarchitects.com/Projects/167/Tree-House

Good luck with your house!

Nazim Nice
Principal / Architect
http://www.motion-space.com
--
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Read our blog at: http://seattlearchitects.blogspot.com/
See our completed projects at: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects-projects.htm
Looking for an architect?: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects.htm
What are the typical services of a design firm?: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architecture-firm.htm
Remodeling your bathroom: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-bathroom-remodel.htm
Laundry and mudroom design: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-laundry-mudroom-design.htm
Remodeling your entire house: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-whole-house-remodel.htm
Information on Seattle Home additions: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-home-addition.htm
Adding a roof deck: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-roof-deck.htm
Choosing exterior colors and materials: http://www.motion-space.com/exterior-house-colors.htm
Read about remodeling your basement: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-basement-remodel.htm
Need to add more space? Consider a second story addition: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-second-story-additions.htm
Information on common residential projects: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-residential-architects.htm
Frequently asked questions of architects: http://www.motion-space.com/frequently-asked-architect-questions.htm
Sustainable and green design resources: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects-green-design.htm
Information on garage additions: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-garage-addition.htm



Check out our newest product - Custom Engraved switchplates: http://store.lumenid.com
See our gallery of products: http://store.lumenid.com/product-gallery.html
Send in your own switchplates: http://store.lumenid.com/mail-in.html
Uses for our custom engraved switchplates: http://store.lumenid.com/product-wheretouse.html