Internationally, code
officials recognize the need for a modern, up-to-date residential code
addressing the design and construction of one and
two-family dwellings and townhouses. In recent years the United States
has
been working toward updating their codes to match the standards of the
International Residential Code. The majority of states use the IRC
as
their standard, while other states are still working toward it. Our plans
have been updated to meet the requirements of the IRC. This has
resulted in some minor changes to our plans, particularly stairwell
modifications in the H-series. Thus, square footage
has changed on some of our plans.
Series B 1275, the recent winner of the preservation award for “Compatible New Construction in an Historic Neighbourhood” in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA, presented by the Historic Wilmington Foundation. Congratulations to John and Ken, owners of this Modified B 1275.
Regarding a question concerning costs and features, John Brunelle writes:
The final square feet for the post-construction appraisal was 1,587. The cost per square feet was just about exactly $100 but that included quite a bit of custom wood fencing, front landscaping, all appliances, carpeting, painting, etc. I caution you though, that construction costs vary by where it occurs. For example, in North Carolina, the frame is 2X4, not standard 2X6 but there are very strict hurricane codes. The house is built over a crawl space (about 18" off the ground). The house is actually a B-1275 but we added an additional 4 feet to the rear of the house to obtain larger bedrooms and bath. The house is 36'X40'. As for materials, the siding is cedar lap on the bottom and cedar shake shingles on top. On the interior, we used red oak flooring (grade 2) as it has knots and grain color variation which adds to the informal cottage look. Our cabinets are maple with a spice stain and all our interior trim is painted MDF.
If I had to build this house again the only changes that I would make would be to have a larger shower in the upstairs bathroom, and pay more attention to the window style. John's plans called for the upper windows over the plant shelf in the great room to have four panes but ours have 12. Four would look much better and more authentic.
To see more of their cottage click here.
