pyramid home building

I was curious to know if anyone had a website that discussed, in detail, the building of a pyramid home. NOT "pyramid" as in brand name, but as the shape. If there is one word that flusters google royally, this is it.

I want to build a pyramid home where the apex of the point is at 30 feet above ground. If the slope of the angle is 55 degrees, what is the base width?

OR

If the base width is 40 feet on either side, and the slope is 55 degrees, what is the height?

Then for the internal walls, at what distances do you put them? To further compound this, let us say I want half of the pyramid to be totally open from ground to top. Now what comes into play here?

Any freeware or inexpensive design programs include a pyramid?

thanks.

Reply to
richard
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Ah, yes, the double A-frame house!

Reply to
PeterD

Most interesting. If I base my pyramid home on the design of the great Cheop pyramid then a

46 foot base would give me a 30 foot apex with a 52 degree slope.

Still need to know how to work the internal support walls.

Reply to
richard

What comes into question is your sanity. What's your objective exactly?

Try AutoCAD Pharaoh 5000 with the Mausoleum add-on. Sheesh. You can draw pretty much anything in SketchUp, which is free, or not, depending. And SketchUp will allow you to easily set angles and determine lengths and areas. But I still would like to know what the purpose of this particular folly is.

Is this pyramid meant to be inhabited? If so, why? Pyramids were designed for dead people lying in boxes, and that is pretty much what an occupant would have to be - dead or lying down. A geodesic dome at least has the purported benefit of using the least amount of material to enclose a particular volume. I'd imagine that a pyramid would be almost the exact opposite - using the most materials to enclose the smallest amount of usable space.

R
Reply to
RicodJour

Ah my friend, it is because of where I wish to place it. The property is unzoned, so that helps. As there is nothing this unique in the area, let alone for several hundred miles, I feel such an undertaking would be controversial for certain.

As you may know, there are quite a number of pyramid shaped homes throughout the country. Perhaps the most famous and well known is the luxor pyramid casino in Las Vegas, Nv. With the one in Memphis Tn, rather well known.

Just because most people prefer standard square walls around them, what's the big deal if one is sloped a little?

Reply to
richard

I think that should four sided a-frame.

Reply to
richard

Reply to
jloomis

Basically what I had in mind doing. For the four corners, 4x6's. For the internal walls, I was thinking maybe just do a load bearing wall from the center point of each wall, to the room center. Then leave one corner section open to the apex.

Reply to
richard

Most zoning codes wouldn't prohibit a pyramid.

Controversial? Is this some sort of commercial thing? You know, the equivalent of building spam where anyone saying anything about it - even negative stuff, is all good?

My mistake, I didn't know you were looking for advice on building a casino. Sheesh*2. This is the most "successful" pyramid "house" in the country:

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note the skillful arrangement of furniture, the creative way of hanging pictures and populating the perimeter with useful space. You have set yourself a high bar.

Nothing, as long as you don't mind wasting space, having trouble placing furniture and the act of spending money somehow pleases you.

A couple or three details: It's Cheops, not Cheop. Where do you expect to find 40 or 50 foot long 4x6s for the corners? You have not announced the intended location of your folly, but I surmise it must be on the Moon, as that is the only nearby location with the necessary conditions to allow 4x6s for the corners - no wind, rain, climate and greatly reduced gravity.

And a request: Please tell me that you don't see the need to get professional help (in any form) as I think there are already way too many homes that just sit there statically and don't do interesting things. Thanks.

R
Reply to
RicodJour

You may be right, I just realized that I could visualize this as two totally different structures depending on how I assembled it... One would be a four-sided pyramid, the other a double A-frame that might have some interesting architectural features!

Reply to
PeterD

I'd have to ask 'what internals support walls'? With a 52 degree roof, I don't think you'd have any load bearing walls other than to support the second story floor (and possible loft for a third story?)

Done right, with a sufficient budget you could have an interesting structure. Sadly, I bet many towns would fight you to the very end because it is so non-traditional.

Reply to
PeterD

Reply to
jloomis

I think I have figured out one way to build a pyramid home. By building in blocks. Each block being 24"w 12"d 12"h or even 24"h. With the ends cut at 52 degrees. Each layer is stacked over the previous in the same way a brick wall is laid. two over one. Or as Bob Villa says, three over two. Cover the blocks with plywood, then spray in expanding foam. If interim bracing is needed, no big deal.

Reply to
richard

What are your plans for your sarcophagus? It's really the focal point of any pyramid, so don't leave the planning for the end.

Bob Vila is an idiot. Which is a term often bandied about regarding people that reply to their own posts. But I respect you far too much to do that.

R
Reply to
RicodJour

Perhaps an ornate wooden chest similar to those used by egyptian kings. But filled with ice and beer!

Reply to
richard

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