Rooftop Sundeck and Garden!

We have been busy building a deck using scrap shingle pallets we acquired locally for free! Since these pictures were taken we finished the garden beds and filled them with 8-10 inches of potting soil. This will not only be a fantastic place to grow vegetables and protect them from deer and many other trouble makers. But it will also be an additional layer of insulation on approximately half the roof. With the deck shading the rest of the steel and being a breezy, sunny place to relax and enjoy the great outdoors with a commanding view over the property, we are quite pleased with how it has turned out so far. Next to do is build the railings and continue to expand the Victory Garden!

Some things we've planted so far:

Blueberries, cauliflower, various peppers, tomatoes, onions, scallions, strawberries, plus more!

Winterization Update for February

For most of the winter things have been pretty slow around the Compound (or as I like to refer to it - "Mud Island"). I've been preoccupied with the work that needs to be done on the Deuce first before we can make the final few supply runs up here necessary to complete the interior of ARK160A and get the Savonius Wind Turbine operational.

You can expect the next few weeks to bring more updates as Winter subsides. Soon we'll also have a new section on the website about the Arkhaus Initiative's latest aquistion - a 1970 M35A2 "Multi-fuel" cargo truck and Jennifer's homemade healthy dog treats!

Our Container House is nearing completion!

26 New Photos! Click here to view them now!

Patio Construction!

For months we have been fighting a losing battle with mud around the entrances to the prototypes. But two nights ago my brother-in-law showed up with a dump truck full of 3/4" gravel. Jen and I had spent a few hours gathering stone from around the property in order to create a perimeter, everything being "dry laid". It was fun dirty work and we are quite pleased with the results. No more mud and less of a step up into both containers. Plus it looks pretty cool too. As the stone settles we will have to make adjustments and see to it that things stay relatively level. And if we get bored of the patterns its easy to modify. Initially we just planned on having a 10' x 10' area but with so much gravel now at our disposal it was decided to try and connect the patio with the fire pit with a short foot path. For now I think its going to work great!

The Compound as of October 10th 2009

Shelves, Shower & Casement Window

Jen bought a metal shelf kit, they look good and have allowed us to take organization to the next level. Still plenty of room left to utilize for storage in the closet of ARK160B.

My Father and I traveled to the Reading area to purchase a fiberglass shower and take a look at some windows. I spotted a dark brown casement window with a screen that was within my budget. So we jumped on it and the shower and brought everything up to the Compound this afternoon. The shower fits perfectly although we're still a few steps from its permanent installation.

The priority now is to complete the front frame, mount the entry door, the slider window, sheathing and weatherproof the exterior wall. With that out of the way we'll be free to focus on the interior of ARK160A and stay sheltered from the Wintery weather that is on its way.

The Compound as of September 23 2009

-T

First Night Charged Up!

Although last night we officially had light via the LED track lighting system. Tonight was the first time running off the small but plucky battery that spent a good portion of the day at the receiving end of the Solar Panel's relentless absorption of the Sun's rays. And despite a dreary overcast day we measured a steady 13 Volts from the roof. You have to love the warm-white LED's, to think this could be the source of much of our light for the next 20 years is astounding. And the modular nature of the track lighting allows for some interesting possibilities. Its great to finally see these state-of-the-art diodes work their magic! I sat and read a book tonight for two hours using less than 2 watts of electricity at a time. The book: "The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger"

-T

Solar Panels Are In!

As of September 21st 2009 the Photovoltaic Battery charging System has been operational. And today, even with no direct sun from heavy overcast skies most of the day we were still getting 13 Volts steadily "trickle charging" the battery. Eventually we will have the ability to measure more precisely how much power the Panels are generating for us including amperage and battery level indicators. For now the 7 Amp Charge Controler provides us with a 2 LED "Charged/Charging" readout which is useful at a glance.

The Compound as of September 18 2009

LED Track Lighting & Space Heater

We've installed the bi-fold doors and changed out the halogen bulbs for the "Warm White" LED's. Anxious to see them working in a few days!

Flooring Has Begun!

Jen expertly sizing up the cuts she needed to make to install the vinyl flooring. Which looks good and was dirt cheap. Perfect for the "Utility Room" where we'll be processing WVO and charging batteries. Meanwhile Matt has been gracious enough to contribute his knowledge of tile laying to the Initiative. He comes equipped with a Wet Saw which sealed the deal! Careful planning and minute adjustments have been made to minimize cuts and make sure everything fits together nice and snug. So far so good. The marble is intended to provide an easily cleanable and durable entry way foyer/mud zone as soon as you enter the Studio. We'll be using this marble throughout both ARK-160 Prototypes. Beyond the mud zone the primary Studio floor will be a combination of Oak tongue and groove boards and hardwood parquet tile. The boards donated to the Initiative by The Haggerty Family and the parquet we got off Craigslist for about a $1/sq.ft. Once its all said and done, I don't think there's another Shipping Container prototype "dwelling" in the World that's decked out with marble tile! It's going to look great!