The ManHut
The ManHut project began as an idea during backyard landscaping. The client and the Landscape Architect, Kikuchi-Kankel Design Group, came up with the idea to put a small accessory structure in a tight rear corner just adjacent to the new pool. It was to function not as a pool house but as an away space for contemplation and idea development. They came to us to develop concept ideas and to make them into something real. Thus, it became the ManHut. A mixture of quirkiness, old but having been found and fixed, and still useful and practical. The acute angles were a challenge, as were the relationships to various setbacks and the proximity to the pool, which was to be built first.
Concept
Here are the first sketches I provided to my client. The design did not change much from these drawings as we continued to develop the project in more detail.
An early 3D test rendering
Construction
By the time we were ready to build, the construction of the rest of the landscaping project was well underway. That made a difficult and constrained project harder due to the minimal access and the need to protect the new work. The landscape contractor, Douglas Landscape Construction, decided to take on the ManHut, a huge advantage since the same stone masons could continue and match their work already in place. And more importantly, the guy in charge, Chris Peeters, made it a very personal project with his attention to all the details and execution.
The rainy season hits
CMU fireplace box in place
Blocking in place for various beams, recesses, and stonework.
The quest for old wood
One of the concepts of the design was to have as much of the exposed wood be old. We could not use old wood in any structural capacity, so the hut was framed conventionally. The old reclaimed wood was carefully attached with hidden connections and other methods. Chris found many old beams and sidings at a reclaim yard in Santa Rosa, carefully picking the best beams.
The wood goes on
Prepping for an outrigger beam
The structural ridge beam is prepped for the old beam cover
An old beam carved out to fit over the structural beam
The old ridge beam in place
The steel ledgers are to support the stone above the beams
Flagstone
Windows and Door
Lighting
On a trip to Sonoma, I found these perfect light fixtures at Artefact Design & Salvage. These were crafted from old jet engine parts.
Stonework
Moving a big rock into place
Working on the interior wall
Tape out of stone detail
Corten steel roofing going on. Corten is designed to weather in place, and the resulting rust creates a natural protection for the steel
Color ideas for windows. A much darker color was selected
