Since 1996   waynedesign@charter.net  931-242-4295

    EXAMPLES: Customer's custom designed plan sets.  Both traditional and Passive Solar and additions

The Potts Residence   PICTURES COMING!!!  Customer requested layout.  Traditional style home.  Home being built in Henryville, TN

The Hamlin Storybook  2.5 baths, 4 bedrooms, w/wo garage, basement w/built-in storm shelter, passive solar design (under revision)

Watson Addition/Improvements   NEW PICTURES!!!

Prentice Construction  craftsman style for Eagle Landing Estates golf course home

Lovell Addition   NEW PICTURES!!!   Bue Construction Giles County TN

The Caldwell  passive solar craftsman style home

The Inspiron  new home in the design stages for Dixie Oaks Golf course Eagle Landing Estates Prentice Construction

The Stanford  passive solar craftsman style finished +/- 3000 Sq Ft

The Prentice   traditional style golf course home, 2 master suites, 3 baths, drive out golf cart basement, brick home +/-2400 Sq Ft

Bryan & Dawn Smith residence   traditional style home with an above ground storm shelter in master bedroom closet

Food for thought 

I was watching an interesting documentary and came across an awakening of sorts.  Somewhere down the lines we have forgotten where we all came from.  Regardless of race, religion, creed,  beliefs,  way of life or covenant.  Here is a little food for thought.

For years I have adored old farm houses, schools, churches, whether antebellum, classic or ancient.  The antiquity of them and construction methods used were incredibly accurate and extremely reliable.  The materials were hewn out of solid woods like oak, alder and other hardwoods.  The rock used was virtually indestructible.  Walls built of solid granite and marble, chimneys of river rock, limestone foundations that have lasted for centuries?  Centuries?  Wait a minute! 

Before I go on let me explain about the documentary I was watching.  It was a chronological tour of old homes being remodeled for 21st century standards and living conditions, you know, indoor plumbing, electricity, things we take for granted.  The funny thing was,  the homes were not 100 to 200 years old, they were European homes built 300 to 500 plus years old, ancient structures that were extremely well built.  Ask yourself a question?  Do you think that homes built today would/can stand for 100?, 200?, 300? years?  Definitely not! 

Somewhere down the pipeline of time we have discovered how to take quality and durability and turn them into hurried promotional mainstream marketing ploys to build and sell homes that are basically adequate for our inadequate times. 

The home that really caught my attention was an old European farmhouse built 500 years ago.  It was built of solid rock that was held together with mortar and framed with heavy oak timbers.  The gentleman that owned the house was currently remodeling the interior for his family while they lived in the house.  It made me realize something, are we moving in the right direction in home building?  Hmmm?

There's no question that real quarried rock, heavy oak timbers (any heavy timber) are expensive and hard to find.  Furthermore, there's no question that environmentally sound construction techniques and materials work. 

What I'm proposing in fact is quality, long lasting, durable housing.

 One thing we do is over-build.  Build only what your family needs.  I don't know how many homes I've seen over the years that were just to big.  Big isn't better.  This doesn't mean build small little boxes either.  Take the time, do the research, find a plan that works for you and yours.  Build using real rock, hardwood and other indigenous materials.  It takes 4 to 6 weeks to build a 1400 square foot tract home using a crew of 6 to 12 at a cost of $95.00 to $125.00 per square foot using current stick built architecture.  If you acted as your own contractor, utilized a little sweat equity, and designed smart using solid components you could build an extremely durable, centuries lasting home that would be twice as rewarding both financially and personally.  Of course it would take longer and definitely cost a little more but what would be more rewarding than building and owning a home that will stand the test of time?  What do you think would be worth more?  A tract home built using today's architecture or a solid home built of tried and true, stand the test of time materials?  I thought so.

It's really all about time and money.  You only have a life span here and you can't take money with you.

Anyway, documentaries are some of the best tools for research on old homes and structures.  I hope this was a smooth awakening for you as well and made you think about things a little differently.  Thank you,

Wayne.

I am currently working on a simple structured design that will utilize old world materials with new world symmetry and environmentally sound methods of construction for a comfortable alternative home.  I hope you will check back often for updates.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION