Kristoff, I was looking through some of plans on your website, and especially the curved walls made me think if you are aware of hempcrete. It's quite an amazing building material that handles curves beautifully. This video provides a good introduction. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVlYDWr31fQ&feature=player_embedded Thanks again, Fred

Regarding a bigger shell structure. This system was designed by Billy Woods of Dynadomes. [image: YlSr_yucca_dome_now_sm.jpg] I filmed the building of this structure in 1970. And it still stands. [image: JAvA_dome.jpg] I think it also appeared in Stewart Brand's book "How Buildings Learn." I sent you an SKP of the connector system.

Thanks, Bruce. I'll send you a PM after work today. We actually do get snow like that where I live as well, although not with particular regularity...less than two feet is more typical for a storm. Last time we received quite as much snow as you picture they had to call out the Guard to clear trees and downed utility poles from the roads!

I don't think this would just appeal to kids, in fact when I was a kid, we always had a puzzle going that anybody , family, neighbours, whoever, could sit and work on. AS well in larger scale being applicable to the love kids have for fort building. I see this as having a lot of appeal. Great fun. Congratulations

Wooten, I like the idea of using a wood dowel and something like pocket holes. Cool approach, and very pure from a wood working perspective. My brother, who does a lot of fine wood working, suggested something similar. It would involve a lot more work than the joist hanger approach but the result would be elegant and beautiful!

Had the opportunity to develop my curved roof ideas during an online course on Green Roofs offered by the Boston Architectural College. [image: Kv4t_House2.1image1.jpg] Additional images here: http://dws.editme.com Still working on a hub connector and a number of other components of this building approach but making slow and steady progress. Another five years, who knows? Any leads, comments, feedback much appreciated. Thanks, Fred House 2.1 rafters roof surfaces.skp

@olishea said: nice!! did you use color by z plugin to get the graduated colour? I just used some highly photoshop processed (lots of blurring) digital photos as projected textures.

that's wierd! but i like it.

Remus, Chris and Bob, Thanks for the help. I'll give Didier's align tool a try. Fred

Thanks for the comments. Like the "flying splashes of tempura paint..." description. I think what I'm enjoying about these is taking the hard-edged SketchUp export image and transforming it into something a little softer and less identifiable.

I see thing very similar to that during visual migraines. Nice to see without knowing the pain will follow.

So it took me a year to answer, I never was known for speed. Cut the rings from a large steel pipe using a cut off saw. Cut the clips from sheet steel with a torch, clean up with a grinding wheel, and bend to shape with a vice and hammer.

Thank you for the tips!

The Steinway piano company is just completing the installation of the world's largest solar cooling system using absorption coolers. http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/green-building-news/piano-factory-installs-solar-air-conditioning-system

idraft, Thanks so much for the links. Some really interesting translucent panel solutions are available. I think I'm inclined to lean toward some sort of fabric shading system and not give up the transparent glass. Below are a few night renders of the atrium house. They are a quite dark but they provide an impression of how the house might appear at night. [image: EYS3_newhousenr3.jpg] [image: iW2U_nhnr2.jpg] [image: IgzM_nhnr1.jpg]

Thanks I couldn't find it in my searches because I didn't realize it started with "sketchy"