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Architecture/Footer/foundation design

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Expert: - 12/10/2004


Question
I'm searching for a book that discusses footer/foundation design for a cabin with a walk-out basement and one-car garage also as part of the basement.  Any recommendations?  

Answer
Dave:

Thanks for your question!

Foundation design is soil and climate-dependant, so specific design information about your situation will have to come from local sources.

For temperate climates, however, it's important to consider the insulation of the slab edge in the foundation design.  That's a huge source of heat loss and proper design impacts the configuration of the foundation.  I'd suggest two books: Rob Thallon's "Graphic Guide to Frame Construction" and Joseph Lstiburek's "Builder's Guide to Mixed Climates" for general discussions of foundations.

Regarding the garage, you don't need to do anything more than build it the same way you'd build any other garage floor.  You may want to drop the slab a bit from the rest of the house for drainage, and insulate the walls common to the house, but that's about it!

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
President
Richard Taylor Architects, LLC
www.rtastudio.com

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Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

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I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

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Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
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Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

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