More of the Redondo Beach House

[dcross]

Not noted above in the "modification" question was "do we shorten the 40' HC down to 35' and so on. Bear in mind many folks here talk about purchasing a heavily used container, setting it on site, and doing the work themselves.

We cannot do that. They have to be new 1 post trip, or fairly new and well rated cans, we have to design to meet the homeowners goal but engineer to survive a trip.

The question still remains, what is a typical modified box that you desire to see a number on. Really describe it, what are your expectations. How do you intend to utilize it?
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David

[sailboatescape]

David,

It is obvious you possess more experience and knowledge in actually working with modifications than anyone else out here and are most generous with the knowledge you have been willing to share. I have a couple of specific questions related to how you determine what reinforcements to modifications are required.

As you have correctly pointed out, any cut out weakens the structure but obviously some small cut outs would not weaken it sufficiently to render it "weak" for residential use, depending on the loads being imposed since the design specifications for load carrying capacity of a container so far exceed residential building loads. I also realize the container is designed to carry all the weight on the corners which is why cutouts greatly weaken them and most residential uses can have intermitten supports under a container. In standard residential wood frame construction, codes allow for some standard sized or prescriptive sized headers to be build over openings so I assume there should be a method for determining some standard sized opeinings in containers which could vary depending on roof loading and floor supports. As you have pointed out, the corrugated side with the plate at the top and channel at the bottom is a designed beam that is incredibly strong. Assume you cut out an opening for a window that is 3' high and 5' wide and you place that cut out 1' down from the top. Though you have weakened the "beam" that was originally an unmodified container side, you still have a beam from one side of the opening to the other that now consist of a 1' high steel corrugation with a steel plate on top. And you also have a "beam" across the bottom that will carry some floor load since the corrugation is welded to the channel at the bottom. If one wanted to know if those remaining "beams" are still strong enough to carry the roof or floor load that is required by residential design, would it need to be (1) tested with an actual load to determine if it is strong enough; (2) are there tables for steel components where the top plate or bottom channel and remaining corrugation can be considered together by an engineer who performs calculations to determine if the structure combinations that still exist above and below the opening are sufficient; (3) an engineer just using his general knowledge deems is OK and approves it or using his general knowledge and concern of liability says reinforce it to be safe and really doesn't give much consideration to what a residential design load would require; or (4) something else I haven't thought of?

[dcross]

Outstanding well thought out question. This deserves more than an off the cuff answer and I want to put thought to it as well. Additionally, I am going to copy your question and move it over to the thread "Some container questions answered" as that is what is going on now and we are getting away from the Peter Demaria Project and towards engineering in General.

Also, it might be the start of some sort of FAQ that I bet will help.
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David

[PS]

Just a few questions if anyone knows. Instead of glass, they are using an insulated acrylic. What is this type of material? Does anyone know if the containers have their final coat of paint. This house is evolving into something really cool, but the containers look a car that is at the body shop. Are they going to give the boxes a finish coat/paint job? Dcross how much does it cost to do a final paint job? To paint a car that size would be super expensive. Since the builder went through great lengths to prefab the containers it makes me curious as to why they would want to paint the house on site. It just makes sense that the paint job would be done before the containers get to the site. Last time I went by a film crew from Finland was shooting. Are they building these in Finland also? Any updates would be great.

[dcross]

I can only speak to the coatings specifically for the ISBU (Containers). The Flat white color that you see is a Thermal insulative coating that goes specifically to the containers. That is the portion of the home we were invoved in that is prefab. Our engineer worked with Mr. Demaria the Architect to bring the homeowners vision into reality. That balance was achieved with site built conventional construction. I think that since you are on site and using your words "evolving into" that you might have witnessed some touch up or recoating because this project required a fair bit of fit and finish on site which may have impacted factory finishes on the ISBUS.
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David

[JIM MILLER]

I suspect that what is being questioned is the primer paint that appears in some of the corners of the containers. It looks as though there was some welding done on-site to the connecting areas. I assume they will be covered with the insulating material once the construction work is done.

Jim Miller
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Jim Miller
Thousand Oaks, CA

[honus]

What is the latest on this house? Is Jim Miller in LA? Any new updates?

[JIM MILLER]

I was in LA, but I have moved to a new job in Honolulu. I have a friend that lives close to the Redondo house that I could probably talk into taking some pics. I'll give him a call.

Otherwise, I'll be in LA next week for two days. If I have time I'll swing by.

Jim
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Jim Miller
Thousand Oaks, CA