Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The two-story dogtrot house provides the
most space of any of the traditional designs.
The breezeway was sometimes enclosed for
even more space.
section is added. The partition as used in the
Whitaker-Waggoner log house referred to in the first
chapter is a nice solution, although this is not a
saddlebag house.
For unusually large numbers of offspring, the set-
tler often added a wing to his dogtrot or saddlebag, or
even his “I” house, sometimes behind one half, with a
side porch. I've just finished designing one of these for
a family who wanted all the rooms of their dogtrot on
one floor. Quite organic and fitting, and historically
accurate.
That often turns out to be a great deal more impor-
tant to me than to the people I have built for. And
although I urge regional and historic integrity in log
house architecture, it need not dismay you. You need
live primitively in your house only if you choose. Such
niceties as bathrooms have become necessities in our
modern culture, and properly constructed are un-
obtrusive, efficient, and relatively nonpolluting. The
same goes for kitchens. I prefer to locate these more
or less modern rooms in lean-tos or wings, to make it
evident that they are part of the added-on construc-
tion, not jarring into the historic appearance of the
house.
And insulation is a useful, invisible, and comfort-
producing material that you'll find very helpful and
economical. A number of other modern conveniences,
such as electricity, can be built in tastefully without
offending most purists. If, in fact, your log house is to
be your permanent home, it's better to build in wiring,
plumbing, and insulation than to add it when you
come to the realization that roughing it becomes a
chore, year in and year out. Besides, building codes
require many of these modern amenities in most parts
of the United States now.
I do not pretend that these conveniences are
entirely in keeping with the Spartan pioneer cabin, of
which we have built several. People managed without
plumbing for thousands of years, and if you so choose,
I applaud your decision. I just don't envy you on win-
try nights.
The basic cabin, electrified and plumbed or not,
remains the starting point whichever way you choose
to add on. Planning your future additions is an impor-
tant part of decision making. As one example, I had
The dogtrot or open breezeway was often used as a dining area in fair
weather. Later versions, such as this one in Arkansas, had the doors
opening into the passage.
