Paramount

Depends where, I just sold a 1200 SF single car in KS for $50,000 small city lot, got the same now in San Diego, CA @ $500,000. About ready to buy another nice KS city lot for $5,000. Cost of materials a little higher in CA, not much. Check out how NYC is solving high density affordable with micros: http://www.fastcodesign.com/3041865/slicker-city/5-trends-that-will-shape-the-future-of-tiny-housing Try getting them zoned properly.

Actually, you are. I bet you'll be shocked to learn the same mechanical properties that home structures see are the exact type of stresses the space shuttle sees only more of it. The physics and chemistry principles are the same too. But you would have had to done both to know that I've been doing corporate structures/HVAC mechanical design to cost trade studies for over three decades, after looking at this industry for about two years now all I have to say is what a mess! We have a saying, chaos equals cash thats why I'm here. Agree with Richard I'm about ready to go off grid min SF in a sub @ 1200 with smart tiny home spatial designs. Challenging! Dumb HOA city is killing me.

Well hope noone gets discouraged here, very exciting industry coming up here with renewable energy modeling, etc. I do aircraft/auto Architect design work too, same happen about a decade ago, drafters got pushed out due to higher level technologies and liabilities. Now you can not get hired without a 4-year degree. We want an educated/experienced society and should encourage it. An Engineering degree is not easy, and cost a bundle these days. Last I check buildings is not as high a salary as aerospace. The home building industry is too open a market imo, that is why the average last only what 30 years in the USA and the carbon foot print is what 40% from building's. It's going down, but not from the efforts of designers/drafters. More like ASHRAE, NREL, DOE. If that doesn't take your job 3D prototype will. Cessna just announced a Denali with 3D turbine engine parts (gears mainly). Glad CA has SLA.

You don't get to make up laws just to suit what you want to do. If you've got a code citation that says an unlicensed person can design three-story buildings, cite it. If not, it's just a bunch of hot air on your part, even if you haven't been caught yet. I don't really care since it's YOUR ass on the line, but if you are designing actual three-story buildings, then you are living on borrowed time, IMO. Have fun! BTW, here's a sample from the California Architect's Board enforcement actions: "HERMOSA BEACH—The Board issued a two-count citation that included a $4,000 fine to Jonathan Starr, dba Starr Design Group, an unlicensed individual, for alleged violations of BPC 5536(a) (Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect). The action alleged that Starr executed an agreement offering to provide design services for a new three story over basement single-family residence located in Manhattan Beach, California. Starr also executed an agreement offering to provide design services for a new three story over basement single-family residence with attached two-car garage and roof deck located in Hermosa Beach, California. The projects did not satisfy the criteria for an exempt project type as defined in BPC 5537(a), and required a licensed design professional for preparation of plans, drawings, or specifications. Starr paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on July 29, 2014." As I said, the designer/Architect has liability for everything outside of stress analysis the PE has. CA will be the first to crack down then it will sweep the nation and already is as the Green and Eco movements prevail. EPA and health code laws will be a big part of it with renewable eco designs some don't understand. There is a push to educate US Architects more in Building Science, like in other parts of the world. The knowledge base requirements are going up. Want to play gotta pay If your a drafter be sure you understand the scope of work you are being hired for and get it documented.

Just reading about one I'm looking to design-build a model. If the IRC or BO is not restricting heights the HOA is: 2 .5 does not include basements here. As solar sweeps the country needing solar easements we'll all be building one stories. Well maybe being a good high tech designer is not all that easy and all it's cracked up to be?

I think people think they are getting some bargain by moving to rural or where there are no B&S codes, until one day they kill themselves or others like this. Its allowed since they are far attached from high density and for the most part can only harm themselves. It will only get worse as they seek low utility bills and think they can DIY. If the place doesnt collapse or burn it sinks, we repair foundations all the time love it! Well back to designing to net zero

IRC provides a code path for certain structures (eg: three stories, duplex, etc) any design not in code needs an structures engineer not to be mistaken with a chemist, building microbiologist, etc) Admin CH 3 states the design has to meet loads either actual or implied if not you need a PE. The designers/architects are going to become more and more liable as we continue passive house trends (PHPP/PHPPUS) where toxins are being sealed in building's at .5 ACH/HR, not the PE structures engineer. CA Law suits are already underway I forgot to bookmark them, especially up in the bay area. "The IRC does state liability" Really? Where? I would think that is impossible since liability and contract laws vary from state to state.

IRC defines where there is a requirement to be licensed to practice design. (eg: above duplexes, above three stories, commercial requires one), otherwise, if you are following code licensed or not omit or make an error trust me you could be liable. When the jurisdiction decides to "adopt, amend" it is now state law enforceable. Anyone can purchase E&O. The underwriter will look at your experience/licenses to determine cost. Yes, anyone can be sued, No, not all Designers are created equal. Saving money on practicing Design/FEM/Etc may not be worth the risk. All it takes in one day in court and if your assets are not protected say good by to them. I seen this in CA construction contract law more than any other state. It is a good idea to not go cheap on your contracts either, hire an experienced state attorney and hold on just incase.

In theory, following prescriptive code IS engineering although I often wonder who would take the hit if it were incorrect? The BO or ICC would be my guess. My attorney tells me as long as you follow "common practices" it's hard to sue. If a designer misunderstands or omits something following code they are liable since they were not qualified to design. That is why I think it is a good idea to create an E&O insured entity as a designer. I often wonder how it is then DIY home owners can design or modify, if they cause personal injury who is on the hook? If someone is visiting while they own they are. If it happens after sale and home disclosures the new owner unless the old failed to disclosed, is my guess. A PE only takes liability for stress analysis. In residential seems like a waste of money when there are code paths, unless using some alternative materials IRC points to a PE. I'm in CA now visiting that is another country, ridiculous! Running FEM(Finite Element Models) and interpreting them takes an engineering education and experience, rare otherwise, and agree why take the risk in having any part of that legal liability in part or whole especially without an E&O legal entity. Silly!

Thanks Perry, much thanks to yourself and all the other pros that contribute to the forums. A special thanks to my personal instructor Yusuf great instructor I recommend highly, without you all I could not have made this home show happen in such a short time, less than 6 months on the learning curve. BIG success! Chief and I and my 4 Ks out performed my competition by far, this home show had never seen anything like it. We are working on several big screens in our office, and it's real impressive when you go mobile and take to them to banks and agents, appraiser, etc, I have suit cases I lug around. I tired a couple of 4K tvs bottom line is you get what you pay for as usual. The big screens are getting lighter and thinner that is big to me, we still needed two guys at both ends to get that big boy in. We had it high on a table so weight was important too, without damage. Yusuf, if you are reading this, I'm working on a big development I'll probably need your help with soon.

I got a 17" ASUS gaming 4K with a Samsung 40" 4K I paid close to $500 a year ago. I ran a that and a 60" 4K TV at a home show recently incredible clear. Heres a pic. The TV is high dollar, it depends on what you pay they are not all equal.

Just the opposite, people are tired of the housing industry sucking them dry so instead of being house poor as most are they are using the saving’s to travel, etc….The issues are everyone and their mother and designing them, some finding after purchase it is not what they thought. That’s where we come in. The way things are looking the permanent structure will be a micro box a furniture box fits into, although I don’t think they figured out how to get it through the door yet. People have done far more work for far less than having to retract a bed ,or pull out a table, move a wall, if you think about it. Common areas are solving small space syndromes.

Just wondering what this community thinks of these popping up all over the nation, some combing small eco systems, like compost toilet options, on or off city utilities, community crop growing, and other eco systems on small acreage. Heck for less than the price of the average home in some areas we can be developers and have our own design-builds. Micros multifamily units on combined zoning seem to be more the urban high density answer if one does not want the tiny zoning battles and public outrage about lowering property values, etc. Here’s a currently underway tiny Home Eco_Development in San Diego, CA burbs. . https://www.habitatstinyhomes.com/ Spur, TX claims to be the first tiny friendly town in the nation as of couple years ago and has boosted its old west ghost town with tiny’s. I talked to them going well. http://www.spurfreedom.org/ Robotic furniture “Transformable Wall Systems” by Ori “City Home” “200 SF making homes feel 3x larger”, hitting market hard we need a catalog for, furniture vs space cost is some areas wins. How do we model this? Kinematics? How would an appraisal and bank loan work? http://www.fastcodesign.com/3030991/slicker-city/mits-cityhome-is-a-house-in-a-box-you-control-by-waving-your-hand http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/ori_bringing_motorized_modular_furniture_to_the_mass_market/11471 I think a lot of Architecture originated in Japan? https://youtu.be/ehgQwooWKRA Demographics. 20% 30-40 years old, 40-50 18%, 50+ 38%: http://thetinylife.com/what-is-the-tiny-house-movement/ I don’t get the tiny trailer, take that money put it in the building on pier and beam so it can be moved if and when needed, otherwise houses made of wood don’t take vibration as well as RV metal. More Green_Eco Movements. They keep gaining ground means an industry game changer? Combine both tiny and micro? Cubitat: https://www.google.com/search?q=cubitat&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS700US701&espv=2&biw=1898&bih=914&tbm=vid&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjhhv-kwYDOAhXB7yYKHcQ-BIkQ_AUICCgB&dpr=1 Here is a good read, "Micro-apartments will be convertible. In the U.S., tiny housing units haven't yet achieved widespread acceptance, and the legislation allowing them in many cities has only recently been passed. Just in case the trend is a passing fad, developers are hedging their bets on micro-housing, the report found. Many buildings are designed so that micro-housing units can be easily combined into one- or two- bedroom apartments if demand decreases. Load-bearing walls, utilities, and other systems within the building are designed so that side-by-side units can be cheaply converted into bigger apartments. " http://www.fastcodesign.com/3041865/slicker-city/5-trends-that-will-shape-the-future-of-tiny-housing Space Saving ideas: http://www.dezeen.com/2016/04/05/10-space-saving-furniture-designs-small-homes-micro-apartments/ Some CA discussions, https://chieftalk.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=search&fromMainBar=1 Limited Catalogs, https://3dlibrary.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?r=site/detail/677 https://3dlibrary.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?r=site/detail/967 and of course 3D warehouse although I'm not sure Dometic for RVs is designed for high long term usage. I travel in my RV working designs around the nation it has held up since few years now. Anyone have some space saving or community layout ideas, model ideas or techniques?

I have two old beta X8 models that load the plan fine but when I try and take camera views they get on the clock stop responding and I have shut down. It's been a while, back In February, since I loaded them. When I first launched CA today I was prompted to download updates which I did. Thought I'd run this by the forum before bothering tech support?

Sorry for the duplication but I searched for both "SAM" and "Template" I forgot to bookmark for later use that had to do with starting new drawing methods, one had a good video in it? I wish people label these threads better so it's easier to search or maybe I don't know what to search for? Anyone have bookmarks?

That's way cool how those balls bounce off the wall. Johnny, so, 1.Did you download Unreal from the link above after joining EPIC? 2.Did you sign up to a free 10 day trial at Lynda, is it worth it to take the course? 3. How did you export a CA model to Unreal? How about a little help up the ladder Bud?

Where is the future going? What is worth the time on the learning curve? Ray Trace or video? So much more can be communicated with video IMO. Word of the CA street is Lumina may not be the best choice or performer for cost. Word is Unreal is free and just as powerful. So to get Unreal click "Get Unreal" upper right of this page, join the EPIC community then there is a free download? https://www.unrealengine.com/blog If you want a course sign up for a Lynda 10 day free trial, if not complete by then membership fees apply? http://www.lynda.com...toplay=true&m=1 How does one export CA to unreal? Or keep playing with settings to master Ray Trace?

Prior to the solid there was wireframe and surfaces, a struggle to find clashes and produce renderings. The whole intent actually behind a solid is DMU (Digital Mock-UP) as one unit for interference checking. Happen in auto/aircraft about two decades ago. When it did there were far less design issues, reworks, and the weights and balances far more predictable. Boolean operations are now obsolete, constrained sketch based operations have taken over. The constraints allow for easy boolean type operations and modifications. Other features that came with the solid body was properties such as mass, inertia, materials, etc, that can be used for structures analysis (FEM), WUFI, BIMS, Kinematics, Material List, etc...CA needs an update.

The way to start a design business in 3D printing is understand all the materials that are being used today. Backed in 2013 when I designed that FDM HVAC duct there were around 12 plastics and metals today many, many more and applications in just three years. Get familiar with the plastic families and types and metal alloys and how to grow parts to staisfy different design requirements. Start a joint venture with a local manufacture, learn the different machine capabilities then buy one. BIMS- An entry level system could be designed and sold to jurisdictions. You don't need to sell the ones on the market now or could if you are not good with developing building information systems. Set up a system that can easily manage any CAD_CAM software like 3D printing, print data, maintenance records, life cycle info...

Odd must depend on state anyone can get it here, a license and experience in a field would reduce the rate. An aerospace giant I am currently doing some work for was boasting about some advancements they made in 3D printing in a world wide telecast today I seen. I'm currently converting old legacy 2D drawing's to (3d) MDB no drawing's. If I were young and full of energy I'd be getting familiar with the STL file in CA and MBD/BIMS design-build-life cycle management processes, focus on those skill sets of the future. I've designed some "Fused Deposition Model" parts in full production more advanced 3D printing, another one to research.

Lew, quotes I got recently around 3-5K/year (with a large engineering background), one home sale @ ~$500 from 10% profits well worth what it could cost in law suites. Any engineer w/o it silly! You want to play you have to pay. Sue happy society it is getting worse and I think "designers" of the past are going to be more at risk in the future. One prosecution and the business without a properly insured entity is toast. Search the net we already there. Some loosing personal assets. The underwriters are going to look at your credentials and size up their risk that determines that rate. I got to fill out some long credentials form this weekend and submit for a rate. I think it all depends on location too. As things develop and we maintain the road we are on with all this new technology(IAQ, ventilation rates, etc) the days of anyone being allowed to design will be gone. A drafter will become a drafter once again w/o the engineering liability unless they do engineering, what is left of that drafting skill set probably not much, following code(since it has issues) and/or residential designer will need more professional credentials and protection. From what I read getting an Architect license will require a higher level of building science knowledge, this is already the requirement in many countries outside of the USA we are starting to follow behind. BIMs is already breaking ground as a mandated requirement in many countries coming to your jurisdiction soon.

Correct me if I am wrong in most US jurisdictions residential can be designed to residential code no engineer, commercial requires Architect and PE. Residential customs can be design by anyone, if you don’t follow code for structures you need a PE stamp. My jurisdiction and a lot of mid to small rural do not have the staff or funding to do residential plan reviews, you design to code and find out if your screwed up at the build. More than three stories or duplex needs licensed stamps. I think a good business model is get into as much as possible if one fails hopefully the rest do not or can be moved elsewhere, and if they are all on fire so are you such as Design_Builder, Drafting Services, WUFI, SAM(NREL solar simulations, pro Image and Video…..I agree the more you know outside of CA and CAD the better, it IS just a limited tool these days being reduced. A professional E&O insured legal entity such as an LLC would be good with all the legal suites popping up over false or misleading info; “green” energy efficient designs and Indoor Air Quality issues, , etc…..It is growing fast, if not on the band wagon there is not much of a future, along with less 2D drafting on its way with model based drafting(MBD) and BIMS. Keep your eye on 3D printing too in the next decade it will be a game changer beyond imagination according to MIT. How many are not an insured legal entity?

Johnny, I was going back through this thread and did not see this post. This is all Chinese to me, so to get Unreal click "Get Unreal upper right of this page, join the EPIC community then there is a free download? https://www.unrealengine.com/blog If you want a course sign up for a Lynda 10 day free trial, if not complete by then membership fees apply? http://www.lynda.com/Unreal-Engine-tutorials/Unreal-Engine-Architectural-Visualization/370011-2.html?autoplay=true&m=1

Thanks for help Rod. Think I'll get started with Camtasia until I become a Guru like the rest which may be the 12th day of never. Look forward to your posting that thread

Yes, I did, then I discovered Lumion that is when the confusion first started. Are you saying it may be better for long tech presentations? Now with a 3D mouse it may be all that is needed: $162: Are the others mentioned here only for short high quality videos? I'd like a vid that can show a full up sequential build like a time lapse but a little slower, then I could narrate the sequence step-by-step. Our jurisdiction does not do plan reviews we find out about code violations at inspections, it take some convincing to get permits. It may be a slow process getting away from drawing's but I'd like to start. Last city meeting they were looking at ways to track life cycles and never heard of BIMS. Many of my trades have done this a billion times to don't need to be held by the hand. I'd share the video on drive in a folder they can put there quotes in. Since the video would be more descriptive, along with any necessary 2D's, I expect bids to be more accurate, Eventually I'd house all aspects of my builds on goggle drive or in the cloud and call it BIMS or PLM (Product Life Cycle Management). Did you create a thread showing how to use U3D or 3D PDFS? Sure be nice to have an easy way to get prelim drawing's out to trades for quotes.