03/27/2025
What happens when you can't find a builder or general contractor that will construct your building to your specs? You do it yourself!
So here we go, delving into residential construction with PEMBs (pre-engineered metal buildings). We have selected Great Western Building Systems as our source for the structure and the design phase is nearly complete and about to go to engineering.
Presenting The Hoosier Hold, a barndominium style home with a structural steel skeleton and high performance building features like a continuous air & water barrier, European windows, radiant-capable floors, and continuous exterior insulation. This is a short conceptual video we created based on the spec developed with GWBs.
It is technically FOUR buildings to be manufactured by GWB . From left to right:
• Building 1 (mostly living quarters) Dimensions: 42Wx24Lx24H 3.4375:16 Pitch
• Building 2 (great room, foyer, loft) Dimensions: 24Wx42Lx24G 6:16 Pitch
• Building 3 (kitchen, pantry, bonus) Dimensions: Identical to Building 1
• Building 4 (garage) Dimensions: 48Wx36Lx14H 6:12 Pitch
These buildings will only be the structural steel from GWB; primary and secondary framing (i.e. columns, beams, girts, purlins, and door/window frameouts). Overhangs for the eaves and gables will be fabricated onsite as part of an "over roof" that will accommodate exterior insulation that will encapsulate the building (which should alleviate any issues with condensation on the steel).
Foundation to be engineered once the requirements are spec'd by engineering, but the idea is to have Building 1 over a full basement, with a partial basement under Building 2 to serve for stairwell. The remaining foundation is slab on grade with frost walls and footings.
Searching for 24" standing steam metal roof and 16" board & batten metal siding, all in black, to be sourced locally. The door and windows are Aluprof European solutions being handled by Debesto USA - Custom-Made European Windows. The design calls for OSB WRB sheathing with LP Building Solutions for Professionals WeatherLogic (having issues find local Indiana suppliers) with ComfortBatt insulation from ROCKWOOL. We are looking into Rockwool options for exterior and subgrade rigid insulation, but may use a foam board product instead.
This is a conceptual 3D model based on the final revision with the project manager, Ryan, before being sent to engineering. This is technically FOUR building...
