Any insights on quonset huts

[woodlandfarms]

So the wife and I are mulling over a shop. Around 80 x 80 is the current dream. We are still a year out, but I want something unique. Structurally unique. Our new house design is a concrete and glass modern structure. I have mulled over a square building, but maybe butterflying the roof, but haven't seen any samples of great ideas. Anyone have any "Square" type buildings that are unique / modern please share.

Anyway, I found a few quonset hut ideas that are kinda cool. Wife is nuetral about the idea but very concerned about rusting. I don't disagree with her, a lot of the huts I see are pretty hammered, galvy sort of rusting out. I assume the new galvy treatments outlast old versions, and these huts are better designed, but any insight is greatly appreciated. also I have not seen one as large as I am thinking about.

 

[roadhunter]

I've been looking at Quonset buildings as well. I really like the improved snow and wind load ratings over steel buildings and pole barns. Seems to be much simpler to build as well without having to worry about all the pieces of trim and what not on a regular building.

I also like the idea of building some 4 ft walls out of concrete for the building to sit on to make the edges more usable.

 

[Walkin Horse]

I have one that was with the property when I bought it. I hate it. It is a big silver eyesore. I thought about building and old west facade in front of it but that would lead to more maintenance problems.

It leaks where it sits on the foundation and I need to seal it. It would be hard to insulated and impossible to board the walls. Anything you hang on the walls has to bolt or screw. It's cold in the winter and hot in the summer. And it does not have that ambience that a wood structure has.

I will take a picture when I get home. The only way I would put up another one would be if it were free. Then it would be out of sight.

 

[jix]

Quonset huts attract artillery. Cover 'em up with a lotta dirt all the way up to the a top plant some grass on it, fergit about it for forty years or so. put a rolling track door over the front of it. big padlock. Bob is yer uncle.

 

[BHD]

If your looking at a 80 foot wide Quonsets, your base wall there will not be much curve, so I would not think the 4 foot of wall would be much benefit, on narrower buildings could be helpful, just reinforce it so it will not spread out as there will be an out ward force on the foundation,

an 80' wide building will be very expensive,

and have to have more support than a narrower building,

some of the modern Quonsets have modified walls that are straighter or straight, with a modified curve up higher.

on smaller Quonsets one can build there own. USDA put out plans in the 50's (1946) is the plan below,

https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/aben-plans/5653.pdf
main page
https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/extension-aben/buildingplans/machine

a friend of mine build a couple of these in the 70's one thing that was said was to wait on the ends for a few weeks and let the building settle a little as if you do not the building will look sway back as the ends will hold up the ends and the center will sag a little but by waiting it will all be even,

his method of building the ribs was a little different as they set posts, in a semi circle and would bent the 1 by's and nailed on to the posts (one small nail was used) .and then built up the curved laminated beam then pryed off the posts,



as far as a unique building one could consider a Monolithic Ferrocement Dome, The Monolithic Dome | Monolithic Dome Institute

 

[bcp]

Modern variations have near vertical walls and are not a semicircle.



Bruce

 

[woodlandfarms]

Thanks guys. Maybe this will help you see what I am thinking about.

Steel House: Modular, Prefab, Off-the-Grid Green Design | Designs & Ideas on Dornob

Holly & Smith Architects / Tangipahoa Consolidated Gravity and Drainage District No. 1 Offices

As I said, we are looking at modern architecture for our new home. Probably going to look something like this...

https://www.google.com/search?q=arb...X&ved=0CCYQsARqFQoTCIjl_q6_lcYCFQMYrAoddGwAwg

 

[newbury]

If you want something with "modern look" why not go a stacked jumble of railway shipping containers?

Quonset huts remind me of Korea.

 

[gwstang]

Yeah, when I was stationed on Okinawa for 18 months , way back in '75-76, they were everywhere on the different bases.

 

[woodlandfarms]

we have looked into the railcar / shipping container homes but in the end the costs are crazy. But I am looking for a shop. I have pictures of me in Okinawa as a 2 year old with my dad when he was stationed there. I think there is something with the quonset that could be affordable and cool as a shop space.