Gravitas Blog

Solimpeks Corp has unveiled a hybrid solar panel, Volther hybrid photovoltaic-solar thermal collector, that incorporates both Photovoltaic technology, as well as providing domestic hot water.

Typically, one of the larger impediments to efficient energy harnessing from a PV system, is the fact that as the panel heats up, the efficiency drops off.  By tying the two systems together, the domestic hot water collector acts as a cooling device for the PV portion of the panel, not only limiting the footprint of a dual system, but also improving the performance of the PV portion.

Traditional PV systems loose efficiency at the rate of 1/2% per degree of temperature increase.  Research and Develompent at Solimpeks claims that PV efficiency has been tested as high as 28%, while producing 104-160 degree water.  By stabilizing the panel at 113 degrees, approximately 20% more electrical output is produced, as when compared to a traditional PV system with the same peak output.

According to the company, tests by independent organizations have shown that an average single family residence in Northern Europe would need 270 square feet to meet their hot water and electrical demands.

Solimpeks Volther offers two different models, emphasizing either hot water collection, or electrical energy production.  The PV utilizes monocrystalline silicon cells, and the hot water portion uses copper tubing.

The first system was installed in May, 2010 in England, and the company sells directly to the US market from Turkey.

MarkWagner<>Gravitas

Gravitas is a Custom Home design company.  That’s what we do, or at least, that’s a majority of what we do.  One of the immensely satisfying aspects of our job, is to work with a family, tease out their wants and needs in a new home, balance those needs with the reality of their budget, site constraints, or Home Owners Association, and arrive at a unique solution for that particular family.  Sometimes reinventing the wheel isn’t always necessary.  We might have worked out a particularly successful kitchen arrangement in a previous home.  Or maybe they found us through our web site, and one of our homes caught their eye.  They want our “Sages”, plan, with some modifications.  This happens all of the time, and that’s what those plans are there for, to inspire our clients, or prospective clients.

Sometimes, though, we meet with a couple, and in their scrap book for their dream home they have found a plan from an architect, or building company that they just love.  They want “That” home, with some modifications.  That’s when we have the discussion about intellectual property rights.  We are in the creation business.  So is our competition. US copyright law has given everyone a tool with which to protect their investment in time, and secure the right to use a design, work of art, book, or any unique published creation.  We go through great lengths respecting the copyright that others have over their work.  We’ve lost projects, because we have told our prospective clients that we can’t copy someone else’s design.  We either need to purchase the right to use it, or come up with something new.

This is where a lot of the commentary in the industry lies.  How much do you need to change a plan to make it unique, or at least to not infringe on the copyright holder?  Let me preface this, and everything else before, and after with a disclaimer.  I am not a lawyer.  I don’t pretend to be one, nor do I want to be one.  I am just a person that has had to  work with intellectual property rights since I first started down the architecture path many years ago.  The words in this entry are purely my own opinion, and you should seek the counsel of someone versed in your specific needs, as necessary. .

The rule of thumb in the industry that I was taught was that it’s acceptable to use another persons idea, as long as I changed the design by 17%..  I think this is rather comical. What constitutes 17%?  I certainly don’t know if moving a bathroom, and enlarging the floor plan is adequate.  I can’t track 17% changes to something, and if we were concerned about just meeting that number, we would not be doing our clients any justice.  If you think you so close that you need to know what 17% is, you are way too close.

We have a program called “Plan of the Month”.  This is where we take one of our past projects and offer it as a “standard” plan.  These are our unique creations based on specific client parameters, so we may use them in any manner we see fit.  We have outlined what rights we have reserved for Gravitas in the contract with our clients, as well as on our title block, so all parties are aware of what is happening.

Recently we issued out one of our plans in this manner.  Later, after reviewing an issue of Log Home Living, we noticed that there was a plan very similar to one we had created.  Immediately, we went to our files, to see what had happened.  As a general rule, the first thing we do is make sure that we didn’t step on any toes, and take something that wasn’t ours.  We always respect where an idea comes from in the design process, but you can’t always control where a client is inspired.  It turns out that there were some plan sketches in the file that the owner provided, and they looked too close to the published plan for comfort.  We didn’t infringe on copyright with our process, but the owner brought something into the system that wasn’t acceptable and put us in a predicament.  We notified the company that had published the plan, and let them know we had just become aware of the problem, and had removed it from use in our plan book.  Luckily we are on good terms with them, and they could see we took the necessary steps to stop the infringement that had been caused.

The courts use a determination of “substantial similarity.”¹) when figuring out if there is an infringement case.  This is a subjective determination but that is the nature of design.  It comes down to if an ordinary observer, after discounting disparities in the design, would find the two designs to be substantially similar²).  For us, it comes down to a gut check; if we feel two designs look close to each other, they are, and we address the problem.

We work with contractors or log, timber, or modular manufacturers that have stock plans.  They often wish to have their plan used with a prospective client, but with some changes.  In this instance, that company is the copyright holder, and so it works out well.  Where there is a problem, is when a client brings in a plan from a log home manufacturer (for instance), and they want to go elsewhere for their log materials but use that plan.  We have a simple answer.  Either license the right to use the plan from the original creator, or let’s start from scratch.

Going through our design process and creating a unique design for the specific needs of a client ends up with a home that is better tailored to the individual.  We say that you shouldn’t modify your living habits to match a particular stock plan, but that you should modify your building design to match your particular living habits.  A fully custom home is not always in the needs of our clients though.  These are times when a stock plan would be useful.  Some copyright holders offer their plans for use on a licensing basis for a small fee. This would allow you to use the plan as a template to make your changes. At Gravitas we currently license our plans for $.25/SF. We have relationships with many contractors, developers and manufactures and they highlight our plans on their web sites as “The Gravitas Series”, or in some other manner acknowledging the source of the material. This allows them to show our plans and then license them for use with individual clients if they want to use their own in-house designers without any copyright infringement.

MarkWagner<>Gravitas

1. Howard v. Sterchi, 974 F.2d 1272, 1276 (11th Cir. 1992 [↩]
2. Shine, 382 F. Supp. 2d at 614 (quoting Folio Impressions, Inc. v. Byer Cal., 937 F.2d 759, 765 (2d Cir. 1991 [↩]

The Clearwater will be built in Lenore, Idaho, overlooking the Clearwater River.  At three levels, with 2,681 SF, it can accommodate a growing family, or the empty nester.  The view of the river from the rear is accentuated with a full height gable, and two, wide porches.  The upper level has a small loft area that will be used as an office.

The plan utilizes wide plank siding to take advantage of high R-value insulation, and a tight building envelope.  Hand stacked trusses on the wings, and parallel chord trusses over the central portion help to create a vaulted affect on the interior, while keeping costs under control.  Timber accents throughout the home help tie it all together.

Download our full plan book which has all of our published Plan of the Month Plans. Gravitas Design Series Plan Book  Sign up for our plan of the month to be delivered to your inbox here: Gravitas Sign up.

The  Tioga shown below is  a contemporary home with timber accents.  The latest in the Gravitas Design Series this home has approximately 1000 sf on the lower level and 2000 sf on the main level.

Contemporary Timber Frame Home

Contemporary Timber Frame Accents

Download our full plan book which has all of our published Plan of the Month Plans. Gravitas Design Series Plan Book  Sign up for our plan of the month to be delivered to your inbox here: Gravitas Sign up.

Thanks for looking.

• Our Plan Book Link: http://gravitaslc.com/PlanBook.html Log , Stick Built, Modular, Modern (we aren't just log, although we do that well) #

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The following is from a newsletter from our engineer Brian Sielaff of Tamarack Grove Engineering. Brian has been engineering our projects since the beginning and specializes in structural engineering for residential projects as well as engineering for log and timber frame homes. We have posted one of his articles previously and are looking forward to more. This is good information that is often behind the scenes and overlooked, sometimes with financial consequences. Enjoy:

A Structural Engineer's Seal For Your Home

A Structural Engineer's Seal For Your Home

A Structural Engineer's Seal For Your Home

And full text version for searchability:

WHAT DOES IT DO FOR THE LOG HOME/TIMBER FRAME OWNER OR WHAT
SHOULD IT DO?

 On any project for a home owner, the goal of the log home/timber frame manufacturer is
to get their client a building permit so they may proceed with construction. Often times
in the industry it is required by the local building jurisdiction to have a fully engineered,
sealed and signed set of construction documents for issuance of a building permit. These
documents include both construction documents and structural engineering calculations.
What does this mean to the home owner?

 A structural engineer’s responsibility and duty is to safeguard the life, health, property
and welfare of the public at all times. In doing this, a structural engineer is required to
review all of the design documents for compliance to the local adopted building codes.
This includes member sizing (roof and floor loads), continuous load paths, foundations
and lateral load features (resistance to high wind or earthquake loads) of the structure.
All gravity, in-plane and out-of-plane loads on the building structure should be analyzed
for proper design and sizing.

 What should be included with an engineer’s seal? When an engineer seals and signs their
name to a document, they are stating that they have prepared and reviewed all of the
documents for proper resistance to the local building code requirements and done under
their responsible charge and supervision. ‘Rubber stamping’ is a term used by Licensing
Engineering Boards that is defined by placing your seal and signature on a document that
the individual did not prepare under their review and supervision. It is punishable by a
fine, a suspension and/or removal of their engineer’s license. If an engineer simply
places his seal and signature on a document without preparing it under their review and
responsible charge, and they are doing it simply to get a home owner or log home/timber
frame manufacturer’s client their building permit, it is not only a violation of code and
ethics, but it is cheating the home owner. In paying for the professional services of a
structural engineer, a home owner should be receiving both the engineer’s seal and
signature, but other items such as errors and omissions insurance, professional liability
insurance, their time for coordination and review of their documents, accurate member
sizing throughout their entire plan and proper notes and detailing. It is important to
make sure all of the connections, details and general structural notes are properly placed
and shown within the construction documents. Items like rebar sizes and spacing within
the foundations, concrete strengths, design loads, lag screw sizes and spacings at each
wall log lines, holdowns, column to beam connections, floor girder sizes,
hardware/fastener callouts and roof joist sizes.

The structural engineer should be checking oversized materials as well as undersized
materials. Proper placement and inclusions of notes and details throughout the entire
construction document set also helps hold the home owner’s general contractor
‘accountable’ for their construction means and methods and for what they should be
including within their services in bidding the project for the home owner. If a set of
construction documents only includes elevations, floor plans and very limited detailing,
the home owner must then rely on hiring a trusted, well-experienced general contractor
to build their home per local codes and per what the limited plans show. Without the
proper information the ‘per plans’ part can create a lot of gray areas on what is to be
included for construction labor and materials and what is not. The last thing any home
owner wants through a project or at the end of one is a long list of change order fees,
which many times can drive a home owners cost of construction beyond their originally
planned budget. Having a well designed and coordinated set of construction documents

can ensure that the information is presented within the drawings and the price given for
construction at the beginning of the project is the same price at the end of the project.

It is recommended for a home owner and log home/timber frame manufacturer when
they are pricing out different engineer’s services that they be sure to compare apples to
apples. In doing so, does the lower fee proposal include a full design and review of the
building structure? Does it include engineering calculations? Does the engineer have
insurances to cover their errors and omissions liabilities for the home owner in the event
there is an issue? Are they including any time to answer any agency/owner or building
department questions needed before a building permit will be issued? Are they simply
‘rubber stamping’ the documents? Make sure that for the investment the home owners
are making with their new home they are investing enough time on the structural
engineer’s scope of work they are hiring. Be sure to compare scope of works for each
engineer’s fee proposal that are received. Review and discuss with each engineer that
they are keeping the home owner’s best interests in mind at all time with their services.

In closing, regardless if the local jurisdiction requires sealed and signed documents are
not, make sure the final construction documents include the previous items discussed. It
is in the best interest of the home owner and their project. It is strongly recommended to
have each and every log home/timber frame project engineered, regardless if the local
jurisdiction requires it or not. If the jurisdiction does require the final documents to be
sealed and signed, make sure that the home owner is being provided with the important
items and services noted that should come with a seal and signature. It will help protect
their lifelong investment and not just simply provide them with a building permit.

 -Brian J. Sielaff, P.E., Managing Member, Tamarack Grove Engineering, PLLC

Specializing in Structural Engineering

 (Please feel free to contact our office for any questions or comments that you might have related to this article, we can be reached at the following information noted below.)

 3170 Overland Rd., Ste. B

Boise, ID 83705

208.345.8941 PHONE, 208.345.8946 FAX, 208.871.0616 MOBILE

brian.sielaff@tamarackgrove.com EMAIL

www.tamarackgrove.com WEBSITE

Tamarack Grove Engineering has just surpassed 2 ½ years of offering professional structural engineering services to meet the demands and needs of our diversified client base.  We bring a total of 15 years of combined experience in permitting log home/timber frame structures throughout the entire United States and into Canada.  It is our goal to provide a one-stop shop for all of our clients related to their structural engineering/permitting needs.  By this coming spring, it is our goal to offer engineering services in all 50 states.  As such, we’d like to share with you also that beginning in January of 2010, we will be launching our updated, interactive website www.tamarackgrove.com that will be designed to offer an informative website related to the log home/timber frame industry.

Tamarack Grove Licensing Map 2009

• Working through Schematic Design for a Ketchum, Idaho client. "Understated Rustic Elegance" #

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• Design revisions for a home in Park County, Colorado will go out today. #

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Since our last how to we work remotely blog post we have designed many more projects remotely. Here is our updated map with new projects in Saskatchewan, Missouri, Kentucky, and lots of homes in between. We like having clients who become friends all across the country. We love what we do, but having our fingers on the pulse of the nation makes it all the more interesting.

• #IdahoGreenWorks Business Member Meeting last night, good people, good energy. Excited about the plans for the Organic Nursery on Hill Road #
• Whirlwind 3 day Log Home Show in Chantilly, VA. Met some great people. Chad @ Handcrafted Log Homes makes wow gorgeous dovetails. #

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