Built Me/Cfs safe room in the bush at the back of a house. Design help/suggestions.

H

Holinger

Senior Member (Voting Rights)
This is a bit of an odd post. I am maybe thinking of getting built a new shed or single room at the back of a property that is friendly to a Me/Cfs patient if they are quite severe. Meaning that it would be a 10 meter square room that is pretty sound and light proof and is sort of in the bush( Tea Tree). I was after any design suggestion as to what would be a comfortable environment for an ill person to escape but still be near a family member. Obviously in Aus it would have good heating/ ac. I would probably have many windows to look into nature but be able to be light proof it if needed. A bed is a must.
Was hoping to get it to look like the below link.
solidbuildwood.com

Elegant Backyard Studio Shed Kit Astoria | 11 x 13 | 117 sq ft

Stylish and practical wood shed kit: perfect she shed with large glass doors and windows, ideal for home office, studio, or garden retreat. Modern, functional, and versatile.
solidbuildwood.com solidbuildwood.com
 
Trish said:
Nice idea. What about bathroom, wheelchair access and space to move around inside by wheelchair including in the bathroom, insulation, soundproofing, fire resistance of wooden structure?

The example you linked is about 10 feet square, not 10 metres.
Click to expand...
Wheelchair access is not a problem as there will be a path and straight entry from the main house to the ‘room’. I am thinking of a built one not off the shelves one. Fire resistance rules are that it cannot be wood cladding which is easier enough these days as a lot of wood looking alternatives are legal and available. Soundproofing and insulation are easy - The bathroom thing is not. Running water is easy but if a bathroom was to be added it would cost double as having to meet code (probably and extra 10 grand).
Thanks for the questions all important.
 
a wonderful idea
Per Trish's comments re wheelchair and wetroom. also
  • ensure it has some tech. Alexa has given my aunt autonomy over many things- if things get bad it can act as intercom. ( people use alexa for baby monitoring)
  • rooflight ( can be automated with integral black out blind) - lets you see the stars from your bed and provides chimney effect for natural ventilation
  • use natural insulation which offers a moisture and heat buffering effect - wood fibre/ hemp etc
  • think carefully about acoustics - mass is usually a key aspect for acoustic insulation , but the physical configuration of volume controls reverbation time and absorbent surfaces can dampen sound.
  • Lighting - different types - task, general and highlight - if you're using LEDs go for warm white/ colour change option and dimmable. LEDs are bright. This can be voice controlled too. Makes sure any plug poit locations are thought out relatve to potential uses.
  • Finishes - think about colour and texture ( softness/ hardness , hot/cold , bright/ subdued) Tone plays a more important part in orientation than hue.
 
Not really a helpful suggestion more of a question but if someone is severe how are they going to manage toilet trips without a toilet nearby and also having to go outside and inside again - therefore going through rapid temperature changes?

Some suggestions - lots of noise dampening, not sure how but a/c and heating that isn’t too noisy, might need humidifier/dehumidifier? Easy/lightweight and quiet door, automatic blinds/app controller blinds, bamboo sheets for sweat absorption, and depending on how cognitively severe then a screen that can be pulled across the bed.
 
Is it not possible to soundproof and lightproof your room in the house? Obviously I don't know your situation, but it would likely be cheaper and easier to do this than build a separate structure, and you'd also have a toilet and water supply closer at hand.
 
Haveyoutriedyoga said:
Not really a helpful suggestion more of a question but if someone is severe how are they going to manage toilet trips without a toilet nearby and also having to go outside and inside again - therefore going through rapid temperature changes?

Some suggestions - lots of noise dampening, not sure how but a/c and heating that isn’t too noisy, might need humidifier/dehumidifier? Easy/lightweight and quiet door, automatic blinds/app controller blinds, bamboo sheets for sweat absorption, and depending on how cognitively severe then a screen that can be pulled across the bed.
Click to expand...
So I am not usually that severe that i cannot travel the small distance to the toilet. But that is a problem as it would be better if it was an actual small guest house with a toilet. Unfortunately it would add significant cost as it would have to be council approved. The rest of what you have suggested is a good idea and what I am going for.
 
Kitty said:
Is it not possible to soundproof and lightproof your room in the house? Obviously I don't know your situation, but it would likely be cheaper and easier to do this than build a separate structure, and you'd also have a toilet and water supply closer at hand.
Click to expand...
I think it is quite hard to sound proof an existing noisey house. This one anyway. But the lack of toilet is a problem with my plan.
 
Amw66 said:
a wonderful idea
Per Trish's comments re wheelchair and wetroom. also
  • ensure it has some tech. Alexa has given my aunt autonomy over many things- if things get bad it can act as intercom. ( people use alexa for baby monitoring)
  • rooflight ( can be automated with integral black out blind) - lets you see the stars from your bed and provides chimney effect for natural ventilation
  • use natural insulation which offers a moisture and heat buffering effect - wood fibre/ hemp etc
  • think carefully about acoustics - mass is usually a key aspect for acoustic insulation , but the physical configuration of volume controls reverbation time and absorbent surfaces can dampen sound.
  • Lighting - different types - task, general and highlight - if you're using LEDs go for warm white/ colour change option and dimmable. LEDs are bright. This can be voice controlled too. Makes sure any plug poit locations are thought out relatve to potential uses.
  • Finishes - think about colour and texture ( softness/ hardness , hot/cold , bright/ subdued) Tone plays a more important part in orientation than hue.
Click to expand...
I think those suggestions are excellent.
 
Holinger said:
I think it is quite hard to sound proof an existing noisey house. This one anyway. But the lack of toilet is a problem with my plan.
Click to expand...
It is..but can be done to a decent degree, especially if you can spare some inches in the room, soundproof panels make the room slightly smaller. There is a lot that can be done but you would need a professional to advise, and would cost but perhaps not more than building an outside room.
 
For roof and exterior cladding, I recommend white metal. Any color other than white significantly raises heat gain.

A bucket toilet, with or without a separate pee bottle, works, and is smaller than a composting one. There are various options for minimizing odor. I keep mine outside, and haven't bothered with covering deposits with leaves/sawdust. I empty it every couple of months. Emptying is far less unpleasant in sub-zero weather. To my great surprise, mine was stolen once. I found it nearby, with big (ursine) tooth marks.

Lots of books available now on building micro-houses and smaller structures lacking in "house" requirements (cooking, bathroom).
 
Would a white 15 or 20foot shipping container be suitable? The former cost around £3000 delivered in the UK. Personally I would stress over the multiple odors generated with multiple finnishes and preservative so would aim to keep it very simple. You can buy already insulated internally but again odor is a problem. Sail life on utube has in the last month done a fit out for some starting ideas. Caravan toilet by Thetford which is Electrolux toilet system could work if available to you.

It's secure,watertight , relocatable and sound resistant except with rain on the roof. But the doors need to be locked open for safety.
 
yME said:
Would a white 15 or 20foot shipping container be suitable? The former cost around £3000 delivered in the UK. Personally I would stress over the multiple odors generated with multiple finnishes and preservative so would aim to keep it very simple. You can buy already insulated internally but again odor is a problem. Sail life on utube has in the last month done a fit out for some starting ideas. Caravan toilet by Thetford which is Electrolux toilet system could work if available to you.

It's secure,watertight , relocatable and sound resistant except with rain on the roof. But the doors need to be locked open for safety.
Click to expand...


I believe shipping containers are not usually safe to live in due to the paint

However, when purchasing a shipping container to be used as a residential building, it is advised to avoid shipping containers that are untreated. These containers may be coated in hazardous paints that could contain toxic substances
Click to expand...
universal-containers.com

Are Shipping Containers Safe to Live In? What To Know

Are shipping containers safe to live in? Learn about the safety of shipping container homes, how to choose the right container and mitigate any risks.
universal-containers.com universal-containers.com
 
IIRC, it depends on when the container was made, as the toxic paints stopped being used a few years back.

However, if it has a wood floor, then it may well be treated with strong persistent insecticides.
 
My experience with metal boxes (otherwise known as caravans) is that even the insulated and ventilated ones are insufferable in a British summer. I wouldn't much fancy being inside one in Australia, with the mercury showing nearly double the number of degrees we get here.

Wooden buildings aren't much better. A friend (against all advice) spent about £25k on a properly built summerhouse, only to find it too hot to sit in during the summer and full of invertebrate larvae in the winter. It looks lovely, but as far as function goes she's got the only double-glazed bike shed on the street.

There must be better materials for hot weather, which can be air conditioned for less than the annual GDP of a small country.
 
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