|
THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE
|
|
THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE IS A UNIQUE FRENCH VICTORIAN STYLE HOME LOCATED JUST OUTSIDE OF TAMPA, FLORIDA. MY FATHER AND I HAVE EXCLUSIVELY BUILT THIS HOUSE WHICH IS PRETTY RARE BY TODAY'S STANDARDS. THE HOUSE IS A SPLIT LEVEL 5000 SQ. FT. 4 BEDROOM/ 4 BATH HOME WITH A WHEELCHAIR STAGING AREA THAT'S CONNECTED TO THE 3 CAR GARAGE. THERE'S ALSO AN ELEVATOR SHAFT THAT CURRENTLY HAS A STAIRWAY IN IT BUT, CAN EASILY BE CONVERTED TO SUIT THE RESIDENTS NEEDS. THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE HAS WOOD FLOORING, VAULTED CEILINGS ON THE FIRST FLOOR AND CATHEDRAL ON THE SECOND. WAINESCOATING RUNS ALL THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE AND THE OUTLETS ARE LOCATED IN THE BASEBOARDS WHICH CONNECTS TO THE 45 DEGREE MOLDING THAT CREATES A DUST FREE CORNER. A CUSTOM MADE KITCHEN WITH ROUTERED CABINETS THAT RUN FROM THE CEILING TO THE FLOOR, A BUTCHER BLOCK TABLE THAT PULLS OUT OF THE CABINETS, A LAZY SUSAN, AND LIGHTS THAT SHINE DOWN THROUGH THE CABINETS. THE EXTERIOR PORTION OF THE HOUSE IS DONE UP IN A RETRO FRENCH VICTORIAN STYLE. IT IS COMPRISED OF VERY INTRICATE TRIM WORK ALL CUSTOM-MADE FROM RAW MATERIAL SUCH AS CORBELS, SAWN BALUSTERS, ANGELED ENTRY WORK, AND A 13 FOOT GABLE SPREAD THAT REALLY ENHANCES THE BEAUTY OF THE HOUSE. THE OUTISIDE IS STUCCOED AND EVERY CORNER HAS BEVELED AND STAGGERED QUOINS ALONG WITH BANDS AROUND THE GARAGE AND SLIDING GLASS DOORS. AT THE PEAK OF EACH BAND LIES A KEYSTONE. THE SOFFIT SYSTEM TO THE HOUSE IS REALLY UNIQUE ALL IN ITSELF TOO. WE HAVE INVENTED AN AERODYNAMIC SOFFIT SYSTEM TO RESIST FLORIDA'S FIERCE HURRICANES. WHAT WE DID WAS WRAPPED WIRE MESH FROM THE BUILDING OUTWARD AT AN ANGLE TO THE SOFFIT AND STUCCOED OVER IT TO CREATE A CURVED MOLDING THAT DEFLECTS WIND AWAY FROM THE HOUSE. YOU SEE IN HOMES TODAY THE WEAKEST PART (WHEN IT COMES TO A HURRICANE) IS THE ROOF. THIS GIVES THE STRUCTURE MUCH NEEDED STRENGTH. ALSO TO TIE IN WITH THE HURRICANE RESISTANCE SYSTEM WE RAN OUR SHEATHING UP INTO THE TRUSSES AND EXTRA NAILING IN THE REQUIRED STRAPPING. BY DOING SO WE EXCEED THE SBCCI STANDARD CODE BY A FACTOR OF 3. GOING FAR AND BEYOND THE CALL OF WHAT IS REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE HAVE RAP-AROUND DECKS WITH NO FACE NAILING IN THEM. WE USED SIMPSON BRAND CLIPS UNDER THE DECKING WHICH MAKES FOR A MORE DURABLE AND LONGER LASTING DECK. ALONG WITH THE BEAUTIFUL DESIGN ON THE EXTERIOR THERE IS A SWEET VIEW OF OLD TAMPA BAY WITH A CONSTANT BREEZE.
|
|
|
|
