what is a bark house?
Page 1 of 3
Unlike many plan houses, we have built the houses we offer
and intimately know what works and what can be constructed easily
and efficiently. We are constantly exploring and researching new ideas
and ways to live and interact- this is reflected in house designs that do
what they should- make living easier and better.
We approach design and construction as one process- how to meet the goals for
the people living, eating, and sleeping in these houses with maximum
efficiency for constructability, energy efficiency, and affordability.
Following is an overview of what the the designs consist of:
Structure:
2x6 construction for all bearing walls, allowing additional insulation in the wall cavities and greater sound control.
Engineered lumber floor and roof provide dimensional stability with less settling, shrinking
and cracking over the house lifecycle.
2nd floors are designed with a stiffer floor system to reduce bounciness and vibrations than
what is required by code, and what is commonly built in spec. homes.
Siding:
We use a combination of Hardi-Plank (Cement Board) Siding, which is known for its durability
and attractiveness, and clear (knot-free) cedar lap siding.
Windows:
We use an aluminum commercial grade thermally broken low-e argon-filled double pane window throughout.
This window gives the best performance year round and contributes greatly to passive solar heat
gain during colder months.
Flooring:
We have been using a combination of floorings:
1: Cork flooring: Excellent sound control qualities and natural resistance to mold.
Also, it is a renewable resource and emits no VOCs.
2: Bamboo: Selected due to its environmental friendliness and renewability, durability
and no VOC emittance.
3: Smooth troweled, sealed and polished concrete: This is used due to its durability,
aesthetics and as a base for the in-floor radiant heat system.
bark design, llc/www.bark-design.com
what is a bark house?
Page 2 of 3
Walls:
99% of new home construction use drywall finished interior walls. We specify 2 coat plaster
because it gives a more durable finish, better sound control and is simply a better product.
Interior Doors/Hardware:
We use solid core maple doors and Schlage hardware.
Home theatre:
We design one wall in the Lounge/living area to be used as a screen for a ceiling mounted
projector. The wall is smooth finished plaster for optimal viewing reflectance and cable conduits are run
to the projecter location.
Mechanical Systems:
Generally, the first floor has an in-floor radiant heat system on 2 separate zones, because as the
sun moves around the house in the winter, it passively heats the floors in different areas of the
house. The concrete floor absorbs and retains this heat, which increases energy efficiency.
The boiler is specified to be natural gas fired (98% efficient) and also drives the hot water system, which
means no hot water holding tank, so this system will never run out of hot water.
The hot water system is on a recirculating pump which also means hot water is instantly
available from any faucet or shower.
There is also a 95+% efficient forced air heating and A/C system and an air/energy
recovery system, which increases the efficiency even more.
Carport:
We design our houses with a one car garage and carport or 2 car carport because
we think that garages are a non-effective and inefficient use of resources. However,
we understand that not everyone shares this opinion, so our houses are designed to
quickly and inexpensively convert the carport to a 2 car garage at a future date.
Overhead door:
We install a large operable glass overhead door either in the kitchen or l
iving room which has a screen that comes down when the door goes up, turning the entire
space into a giant screened in room the back, and if I can interject my opinion here, is really cool.
bark design, llc/www.bark-design.com
what is a bark house?
Page 3 of 3
Outdoor Space:
It is important for us to provide ample private and semi-private outdoor space on both the
ground level and 2nd floor- In addition to these spaces, rooftop balconies are designed on
many houses
Costs:
We have found that construction costs are generally in the $110-$120/s.f. range in the midwest and
$145-$160 on the east coast. Since costs and materials vary wildly depending on location, these figures should be
used as reference only.
The plans available contain all of the information needed for accurate pricing by a competent contractor except for
specific site information, utilities, and local code issues.
We have a wide network of contractor contacts, so chances are we could help you out in suggesting someonebe sure to thoroughly research any contractor out, however.
Please contact [email protected] with any questions.
bark design, llc/www.bark-design.com
(3)c
d
d
RO
d1
5'-0 1/2"
1'-2"
(3)B
smooth plaster finish
this wall section
n
o
7'-9"
lcd projector
mounted to ceilingcoordinate wiring
w/owner
98'-0"
line of soffit aboveb.o. soffit @ 7'-10" a.f.f.
(kitchen)
d
d
1'-0"
f
W4
RO
97'-8"
concrete steps
concrete patio
dyed concrete
15'-4"
RO
1'-0"
line of roof above
cr
et
e
floor summary:
total square footage
896 s.f.
finishes:
Walls:
all interior walls t
except as noted on p
Floors:
exposed concrete f
and dyed using the
sub-contractor sh
dyes in an inconspic
prior to final colo
1: Mahogany
2: slate blue
3: caramel
(4)c
7'-0 1/2"
s
1 / lo
4" p
/f e
t. co
n
c
9'-8"
2'-8 1/2" 6"
n
o
5'-8"
n
(4)B
t
o
r
o
d1
t
s
i
t
c
u
r
RO
a
b
W1
k
r
5'-0 1/2"
lounge
14'-0'X19'-0'
carpet
16. all hardware and t
or satin chrome- re
17: provide hardwood s
18: all venting, f.a. inta
west side of house
19: provide exposed con
20: provide dampproof
21: provide door knob b
22: provide sill sealan
protecto-wrap trip
23: bath accessories pr
24: all exterior penetr
as needed.
25: all windows and do
perimeter sealant
color to be grey
26: provide felt isolati
exterior concrete a
27: provide 1/2" reveal a
interior walls- no w
reveal at floor/wa
28: refer to elevation
cladding and trim m
29: house numbers to b
finish w/ 3/8" space
SealED CONC. WALL
lounge and second
commercial grade c
to be determined- g.c
for materials and i
TYP. CONC. SLAB CONSTRUCTION
•4" CONCRETE SLAB w/4x4 wwf
•4" COMPACTED GRAVEL
•COMPACTED SUB-GRADE
PROVIDE SAWCUT CONTROL
JOINTS @ 10'-0" O.C. (MAX.)
(NOT SHOWN)
3/S0.1
1/S0.1
15'-8"
8"
1'-4"
1'-4"
t.o. FTG.
97'-4"
t.o. f.w.
100.0'
t.o. f.w.
99'-8"'
TYP. CONC. SLAB CONSTRUCTION
•4" CONCRETE SLAB w/4x4 wwf
•6 MIL POLY VAPORBARRIER
•4" COMPACTED GRAVEL
•COMPACTED SUB-GRADE
PROVIDE SAWCUT CONTROL
JOINTS @ 10'-0" O.C. (MAX.)
(NOT SHOWN)
2'-0"
E
8"
1'-4"
4'-8"
2/S0.1
ot
t.o. slab
99'-8"
n
6'-0"
c
k
u
r tr
1'-4"
r
o
ns
building elevation:
100'-0" drawing elevation
12'-0"
4'-0"
4'-2" 1'-7 1/2"
drop tow 4"
3A/S0.1
3/S0.1
t.o. f.w.
98'-6"
1'-2"
n
o
ti
a
b co
t.o. FTG.
94'-9"
8"
sleeve
m tow
8"
1'-4"
t.o. slab
98'-0"
ROL
)
1: concrete foundation walls to b
steel forms or equivalent
2: exposed foundation walls in liv
3: provide sleeves in foundation w
4: provide 1/2" anchor bolts @ 36" o
all corners- min. embed in foun
5: All Control joints to be sawcu
6: provide felt isolation strips at
exterior concrete abuts hous
7: use no sealers , accelerators, o
on kitchen or patio concrete.
f
t.o. FTG.
94'-3"
t.o. slab
98'-0"
t.o. f.w.
102'-0"
TYP. CONC. SLAB CONSTRUCTION
•4" CONCRETE SLAB w/4x4 wwf
•4" COMPACTED GRAVEL
•COMPACTED SUB-GRADE
PROVIDE SAWCUT CONTROL
JOINTS @ 10'-0" O.C. (MAX.)
(NOT SHOWN)
5/S0.1
15'-4"
RUCTION
x4 wwf
RIER
5/S0.1
t.o. f.w.
102'-0"
4'-6"
8'-8"
t.o. FTG.
94'-3"
summary:
t.o. FTG.
94'-3"
t.o. f.w.
103'-4"
8"
CTION
wwf
7'-7"
3'-0"
11'-10 1/2"
4'-8"
this section to receive
4" conc. cap
4'-2"
de footing
aded area
notes:
t.o. FTG.
96'-3"
6/S0.1
footings:
16" w x 12" d footing
165 l.f.
20" w x 12" d footing
20 l.f.
24" w x 12" d footing
12.5 l.f.
foundation walls
2'-4" foundation walls
20 l.f.
3'-9" foundation walls