Suggestions?

[Dio]

My Hunting shack/ survival retreat was recently burned down, looks like arson.
So it s time to re-build!
I am looking for any suggestions or ideas that could be incoporated into the new structure. I have been given 30 sheets of 1/2" plywood, and many 2X4s 4X4s, some 6X6s and old 2X6 decking boards.
Cost IS an issue.
Last shack had 12 volt lights and pump for a shower, 3 burner propane stove, wood stove, shutters ( to keep the honest folk out) and was 12 X 20...we are looking at the dimensions of 16 X 24 this time.
Thanks for your thoughts

 

[Gingergirl]

Sorry to hear about the fire. Did you salvage any of the equipment (pump, stove, etc.)?

If the roof is high enough, I suggest the decking boards could make a nice sleeping loft.

 

[Imaginethat!]

I would think of some survielance equipment well hidden nearby. I think arson in a remote place once, might have arson or vandalism again.

Just my thoughts.

Imaignethat!

 

[Anjou]

If it wouldn't compromise structural integrity, maybe a shutter at the top for a skylight... that way you could make use of available light during the day. Could even do a deck up top. Any way to have a stone hearth would be wonderful... but now we're getting to less utilitarian concerns...

If you get much rain, small screen-covered cistern up top with a hose-drain that can be pulled down into the shack into a small sink... and a tube leading from the sink outside, far enough away, for used water... all that needn't be expensive, could raid a junkyard for, say, used RV sinks, etc.

What about building the thing over a dug-out basement/root cellar... could use sandbags, reinforce if desired with rebar and/or concrete, have trap door in floor to get there, and a little ladder or stairs... stairs are better

Then there's the issue of general comfort during summer months especially - ventilation. If too many windows are a security issue, could have small long ones just under the roof that could be opened... maybe just have a wood-slat slidey thing to close them over... AND some screen. The idea would be that they could be open with just the screen and nothing big enough to make you worry could trundle its way in while you're sleeping.

 

[Dio]

Imagine, survielance equipment is on the short list. Anjou, thanks for your thoughts, your on the track I am looking for....wehad a loft in the last cabin, and it was mostly used for storage...wasted space mostly.
we also had a skylight over the front door...southern exposutre. we had shutters that locked on the winbdows, and it was good enough to keep honest folks out. We have owned the property since 96, AND THE CABIN WAS AL,OST 8 YEARS OLD. I think we will chance lumber again.....stone hearth..hmmm...nice idea.
What would be involved in making one?
I guess I would have to re-inforce the joist'?

 

[Mushroom]

What about a ferral (sp) cement dome home? It could be built a triangle at a time when you have the time and material, then covered with the cement and it would be quite efficient for summer and winter. It would also be fairly burnproof. You can also build in expandability. leave 2 doorways so you can use one of them to add on another dome if you need to expand. Look up plans on the net. I don't have a link available at the moment, but they are easy to find.

Mushroom

 

[Pogonip]

My folks had a remote cabin on 20 acres, and it was never burned down (which would have taken out the locals doing it, too), but they couldn't keep a danged thing in it--even the wood stove was stolen. The capper was the thriving marijuana plantation they found on the property. They sold the property rather than risk it being confiscated.....

 

[Anjou]

Based on Pogonip's experience, how about a very rudimentary hunting shack, and next to it a poured-cement or sandbag underground cave with an obscured entrance, to store everything in out of view? Could even look at making that a habitable environment in lieu of the shack.

 

[Sarrah]

Maybe a travel trailer or camper might be the way to go.
I owned some land I didn't live on and the neighbours stole it blind. I was preparing to move onto the land and do a bit of building but just before hand they went in and stole a seat around the fire area I'd put there. They even took the stinking water lines that were laid a week before I got there. I'd owned this place three years before that so it wasn't like I was completely new to the area.
I sold the place. I don't want to know people like that.