Last month I received an email from a very ambitious soul in Sooke, BC asking if we had ever considered turning some of our shed designs into home plans. At first I thought she meant using the style as the basis for a home design or a Carriage House Plan, but after a number of emails and phone calls her mission was clear – tiny, tiny, tiny (tiny house plans)! Lois turned out to be a wonderful person and a really creative thinker. She wanted to embrace the idea of adding multiple dwellings on her Sooke property in accordance with new zoning which allowed for densification.

The idea of micro-living intrigued me so it was time for some research. 
After much digging on the web and calling different city halls around BC, I came to understand that Lois’ idea is more than just a concept – it is now a reality. Many regions are allowing additional dwellings to be added to properties as separate living units for grandparents, renters, and the increasingly common “boomerang children”. These dwellings are sized in accordance with local building by-laws and can be as small as 300 square feet which is, amazingly, in accordance with the National Building code of Canada. Formalizing densification also addresses the issue that there were illegal (and often unsafe) dwellings being added to properties.

Drummond House Plans - Tiny House Plan no. 2923

Still the question begs to be asked, “Why would someone want to build (or live in) a home the size of a shed?” From a user’s point of view, a tiny house would be perfect for someone needing independence, low maintenance, affordability, and safety. From a city planner’s perspective, it addresses affordable housing and densification mandates.  From a landlords perspective it’s a small space to independently house a family member or generate income to help out with mortgage payments. From city hall’s perspective it is additional tax revenue. When you look at it from all of these perspectives, tiny houses make sense.

Can a person comfortably live in a space so small? One need only ask people with live-aboard boats and RV’s that very question. With careful planning and paring down to necessities, both groups of people would say “absolutely”! Of course, it may be quite challenging for a young or growing family but “living small” is an ecological and social challenge that some are happy to embrace.

For the purpose of definition, Drummond House Plans classifies a tiny house as a dwelling which is under 1100 square feet. These houses are frequently fawned over as being darned cute and amazingly efficient. These homes also have the added benefit of having a smaller carbon footprint and are ideal for areas which embrace high-density housing. 

Thank you, Lois, for starting this conversation. We look forward to adding more designs to our available Drummond Tiny House Plans for people just like you.

Read the rest of this entry (4 Comments »)

Northwest architecture is inspired by nature and necessity.

It is not hard to identify the nature inspiration when surrounded by towering trees, rugged landscape and amazing vistas. The Northwest response to stunning scenery is to create house designs that are in harmony with the environment. Houses are often nestled into a sloped site and the lines of Northwest house plans tend to echo the strong elements of their environment – strong vertical lines in harmony with majestic fir trees, horizontal lines to evoke the feelings of rock ledges, roof undulations to blend with the peaks on the horizon. A Northwest home design is usually clean in design, lacking excessive exterior details. When architectural accents are desired, they are usually achieved with the use of natural timber and rock to further blend the house with its surroundings. A generous use of windows creates a seamless transition between indoors and out and brings light into the interior.

Beautiful Drummond House Plans - Northwest Collection - Cottage Plan #2957

So what about the necessity side of design in the Northwest? The Northwest climate is well-known for the amazing amounts of precipitation so protection of residents and the very building itself is a must.  The Northwest design accommodates this by implementing medium to low sloping rooflines with generous overhangs. To take this a step further, you will notice that many Northwest designs include a covered grilling area for year-round trips to the BBQ. Additional outdoor living spaces are achieved by adding generous decks, often combining open and covered areas for year-round enjoyment.

Charming Northwest Home Design by Drummond House Plans - no. 3832

A Northwest house has wonderful flow and functional interiors with modern amenities. Modern minimalist interior design is quite common as it helps with the laid-back lifestyle so common on the Coast. These designs are not limited to the enjoyment of “Coasties”. Although originating in the northwest, these houses can be built as a primary home or vacation home in any region of the country that has a natural vista or stunning cityscape to be enjoyed.  

Very popular Drummond Design - Carriage Plan no. 3935

Drummond House Plans has a beautiful and extensive collection of Northwest house plans available for your family’s comfort. We also have a number of designs being worked on so you should visit the site regularly or sign up for new design notifications.

Read the rest of this entry (1 Comment »)

Are you considering renovating your home?

Come to the Renos Done Right Seminars and Trade Show on September 26, 2009 in Nanaimo. This one-day, free admission show is hosted by the Canadian Home Builders Association, Central Vancouver Island. While you take in this informative show, make sure you stop in to visit Drummond House Plans’ BC Distributors, Richard & Vivian Martin who will be available in booth #29.

For more details on the exhibitors and speakers topics “From how to be green to saving some green and everything in between”, please visit the CHBA-CVI website.

See you there!

Read the rest of this entry (2 Comments »)

This morning, I awoke to the wonderful sound of tree frogs croaking in the forest beside our home. At last spring appears to have truly sprung here on Vancouver Island!

As I sat listening to the frogs doing frog things, my mind began to wander to all of the spring things on my “honey do” list. I was brought back to reality when a rather loud croak occurred from what sounded like inches away from my head. I looked over and to my astonishment a very small, but vocal, tree frog sat perched on the fig tree by our now open patio door.  Hmm… one of the items on my list was fixing an errant downspout. Somehow, it felt like there had to be a connection here.

In areas like Vancouver Island, rain is bountiful until the summer heat and then it can be surprisingly dry on our “Wet Coast”. Collecting and reusing rainwater can equal dollars and sense. Having your own natural reservoir can reduce water bills and storm sewer charges, alleviate demand on local water supplies and bypass strict watering schedules.

While planning to build any home, and more particularly one where reliable water supply may be an issue, it is a good idea to look at the logistics of water harvesting. A publication of particular value may be the Rainwater Harvesting Frequently Asked Questions, a project of the Islands Trust Fund. This publication targets an area where water collection has become a heated and urgent topic.

Whether you have a dependable water source or not, rainwater is better for your landscape than treated water as it is rich in nutrients, will reduce fertilizer requirements, and does not contain chemicals.

There are many ready-to-use collection options and rainbarrels available. At one of the recent Home Shows we participated in in the Comox Valley, we were introduced to the RainXchange Rainwater Harvest Systems. It is an intriguing rainwater collection system that integrates discreet, scaleable, and flexible rainwater storage with a circulating/filtering system and water feature. Of course there are also a number of innovative DIY solutions which abound on sites like YouTube. (Some of them are quite amusing!)

Regardless of the option you choose, remember to store your water safely. Be sure that children cannot access your storage vessel, ensure that you filter any debris from getting in and fouling your water, and make sure you screen the intake to prevent mosquito breeding. One final safety note… make sure you have an overflow plan. A 2000 sq. ft. roof generates 1,250 gallons of water for every inch of rainfall! A tiny rainbarrel will overflow in no time!

Speaking of showers, it is time to get Kermit out of the house and back where he belongs! We have a nice rain falling and his friends are calling.

Read the rest of this entry (1 Comment »)

Dear future homeowners, home builders, home renovation builders,

Come and meet Drummond House Plans‘ residential design expert Mr. Richard Martin, at these 2009 Home Shows in British Colombia, Canada:

March 27-29: Comox Valley Spring Home Expo, Sports Center

April 3-5: Tri-City Spring Home Expo, Port Moody Arena

April 17-19: Victoria Spring Home Expo, Juan de Fuca Recreation Center

April 24-26: Langley Spring Home Expo, George Preston Recreation Center

May 1-3: Campbell River Spring Home Expo, Strathcona Gardens Arena

May 8-10: Powell River Spring Expo, Recreation Complex Arena

Drummond House Plans - Home Expo

Drummond House Plans will also be attending these great home shows in New-Brunswick, Canada:

March 20-22: The 2009 Moncton Home Show, Moncton Coliseum. Come and meet Mr. Denis Cormier from the new Drummond House Plan Agency in Moncton.

April 24-26: Salon de l’Habitation Richelieu d’Edmundston, au Palladium.  Come and meet Mr. Daniel Lepage and Mrs. Annie Lajoie from our new Drummond House Plan Agency in Edmundston.

We’ll see you there!  And until then… take a minute to have a look at our new website: www.drummondhouseplans.com and give us your comments!  Take advantage of our free house plan search!  Send us your criterias, and we’ll get back to you with a plan selection that will meet your requirements!  Send your request to: searchrequest@drummondhouseplans.com and if you place your order before April 30, 2009, you’ll get 20% discount on your plan purchase!

Read the rest of this entry (No Comments »)