FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Main Menu
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Main Menu Subscribe
Design

First Day at the Virtual IBSx: Stuff I Learned at Builder’s School

The educational programming is one of the most valuable parts of any builders' show, and this class on building great affordable homes was no exception.

By Fernando Pages Ruiz
Article Image

The IBSx platform struggled today and many of the live events were postponed, including the opening ceremonies. With a slow connection and a few interruptions, I managed to take a class. Classes are my favorite part of IBS, and after the tech guys and gals work out the bugs, I am sure classes will highlight my attendance this year as well.

Designing Attainable World Class House Plans that Save Thousands When You Build

 

I’m a sucker for saving money, so when I saw Michael Walker’s session, “Designing Attainable World Class House Plans that Save Thousands When You Build”, I signed up. The session promised to answer the question, “Why do some homes cost more than others to build, even when their square footages are similar? Having worked in the affordable housing field and written three books on the subject, I feel competent to judge.

The 45-minute presentation provided some basic, sound guidance, including, know your building site and design the house to the lot. Walker illustrated this point showing builder mistakes, such as having placed basements on a site with a high-water-table (did that once, very costly!). Or placing homes on sloped lots that required excessive retaining walls because they were not designed for the specific topography. And thoughtless homes that missed the opportunity to exploit panoramic views (a free amenity) because the builder used a stock plan that did not include windows where you want to look.

Design the right home for your land. Here Walker shows how homes designed for sloped lots – rather than forcing the lot to accommodate the home — not only look more natural but save money.

Walker introduced the concept of the Golden Mean, or “rule of segments” to layout a facade. I should confess disgust when I see the exteriors lacking symmetry and balance. Essentially, the rules of classical proportion that every architect learns. Walker combines classical proportions with material sizes, laying out his homes on graph paper using a module that accommodates common building materials. He did not say it, but it’s basically the 24-inch segment.  The rules of classical symmetry are bit more involved and require study. The Institute of Classical Architecture offers excellent, free courses you can audit.

Some takeaway tips

If you start your anchor bolts at 8-inches off the corner, and your joists are at 16-inch centers, you’ll never run into a conflict between the bolt and joist.

  • Dimension critical foundation strap locations on the plan to avoid conflicts or having to retrofit hold-downs.
  • Minimize foundation corners and use cantilevers instead.
  • Layout joists in the plans to avoid conflicts with plumbing locations—whether from right or left. Sometimes, this may mean running the joists in the perpendicular direction.
  • Simplify roof designs, complex, multi-sloped designs waste a lot of money. If you must have steep rooflines, use them on accent areas at the front.
  • Reduce hallways.
  • Leave 4-to-6-inches of framing between doors and corners to avoid having to rip down moldings.
  • Size rooms to carpet widths of 12-feet.

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Sign Up

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

×
X
X

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Up Next

Featured Story

FHB's 40th Anniversary Tips Video Contest

Record yourself demonstrating a favorite tip from the Fine Homebuilding archive for a chance to win a cordless compact router kit.

Featured Video

SawStop's Portable Tablesaw is Bigger and Better Than Before

The 10-in. Jobsite Saw PRO has a wider table, a new dust-control port, and a more versatile fence, along with the same reliable safety mechanism included in all SawStop tablesaws.

Related Stories

  • Webinar: Designing Outdoor Spaces

  • Airy and Bright Skylights

  • XPS Insulation With a Lower Climate Impact

  • Framing for Superinsulation

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

  • Fine Homebuilding All Access
  • Fine Homebuilding Podcast
  • Tool Tech

    Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

  • "I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

    Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

    Sign Up See all newsletters

Video

View All
  • Wall assembly student contest

    2nd Annual Wall-Assembly Contest Finals

  • View of home under construction with hip roof

    Widow's Walk: An Inside Look at an Uncommon Roof Feature

  • How to design small, smart homes

    How to Design Small, Smart Homes

  • Texas home built to the WELL Building Standard

    Design Review with Laura Britt

View All

Architecture and Design

View All
  • Cut Coarse Stone Cannonade Int Fireplace

    Biophilic Design

  • mike walker

    First Day at the Virtual IBSx: Stuff I Learned at Builder's School

  • 2021 International Builders Show online experience

    Attending in Sweatpants: The Virtual 2021 International Builders' Show

  • High Design at Home in Nature

    High Design at Home in Nature

View All

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • 2020 Fine Homebuilding Archive

    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition

    Buy Now
  • Fine Homebuilding Magazine Slipcase

    Buy Now
  • Musings of an Energy Nerd

    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 298 - April/May 2021

    • Butt Boards for Smooth Ceilings
    • Help Installing Gutters
    • Safety Bucket
  • Issue 297 - Feb/Mar 2021

    • Foundations for Success
    • Staircase Renovation
    • Ditch the Hose
  • Issue 296 - Dec 2020/Jan 2021

    • Insulating Glass Keeps Getting Better
    • Simple Way to Make Old Walls Straight and Plumb
    • Making Sense of Minisplits
  • Issue 295 - Kitchens & Baths

    • Condo Kitchen Reimagined
    • Row-House Remodel
    • Rise of the IAQ Monitor
  • Issue 294 - Oct/Nov 2020

    • Schoolhouse Reimagined
    • Tool Test: Folding Sawhorses
    • A Better Way to Build Tall Walls

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Manage Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk
  • Account

  • Log In
  • Join

    Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk
  • Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

    Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

    All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

    Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

    More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

    Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

Follow

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 52%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in