Ark Phoenix

Background

Like the mythological "Phoenix" that arises from the ashes of its demise, so too the Ark shall arise anew from the destruction of the original Ark and the related elements.

In July 2003 I purchased 10 acres of land in the Southern California desert. The area was isolated and sparsely populated. The purchased land bordered upon thousands of acres of BLM land. My intent was to build a place to live and make art. In particular I was interested in doing large sculptural works. The land seemed and was remote. I assumed (mistakenly) that it was basically unincorporated land that I would be able to do what I wanted on it. In time I learned that assumption was wrong. No land in California is without building restrictions. My efforts of four and one-half years were deemed by the county as "substandard" and I had to remove all that I had built.

My preconceived notation of what I was going to build when I bought the land was to possibly build with adobe. That, I soon realized,was impractical and was soon replaced with the concept of using shipping containers. They became the core of my edifice and it's demise as the California building codes - in a obscure paragraph - states that one cannot live in shipping containers.

I was of course annoyed, upset and depressed with the requirement to tear down what I had worked so hard to build. Yet, from adversity can come greater things.

Building the Ark was a major learning experience. I'd never built or designed a home before, let alone one from shipping containers. Thus, I made mistakes. Lots of them. I recovered as best I could, but there were areas where recovery was at best a jerry-rig. I knew over time that the Ark residence was going to require extensive rework. Moreover, in time - many scores of years - the Ark residence would deteriorate and disappear, even under the best of conditions. This violated my desire to build something that would endure for many centuries if not millennia.

Over the course of 4-1/2 years of building the Ark, I evolved the concept for the Cathedral and - subsequently - the Sanctorium (the underground construction). As I evolved these concepts the idea of integrating them with the Ark residence appealed to me. But that was impractical. On the whole, I had "painted myself into a corner" with the Ark and artwork constructions. Yet, I continued forward until the day the county issued me a "Stop Construction" order.

As the shock of the demise of the Ark wore off, I began to plan something else. I began to plan the Ark Phoenix to be everything I had come to want but wasn't going to get with the original Ark. Perhaps it is rationalization, but I now believe that what has happened to the Ark was for the best. I learned a great deal about constructing a residence. I evolved the concept of what I really want. I am now ready to build something that will achieve my goal of a structure - my true magnum opus - that will endure for many centuries. That is, it will endure if I can complete it in my life time.

Location.

Over the past six months of weighing my options, I have decided that it will be impossible for me to build what I want to build in California. The restrictive nature of the building codes and departments preclude it. The only place that has the near optimum environment and lack of regulations is in Southwest Texas. My goal is to locate, research and purchase upwards of 20 acres of land there. I will relocate all tools, equipment and material salvage from the Ark and start again. The land in the Southern California desert will be sold and the proceeds used for the new construction.

Construction Technique

The primary function of what I intend to build will be as an enduring monument or sculptural artwork. A secondary function will be as a residence for me and my family heirs. The latter is not intended to be permanently enduring.

The only material that I believe will provide the endurance I want for the Ark Phoenix is concrete. Thus the enduring portion (shell) of the Ark Phoenix will be built from concrete.

Initial Designs

The following drawings provide the designs for the Ark Phoenix as they currently exist in September 2008. These designs are for the enduring function of the Ark Phoenix. NOTE: (Sept 9, 2008) I have recently decided that for economic and time reasons, I will need to build the residence portion out of shipping containers including the considerable residue I have from the deconstruction of the original Ark. More to follow in this matter.

For reference purposes and the use of others I have included at this site the detailed shipping container drawings I prepared in February 2008.

I am currently researching and learning structural engineering so that I can extend the design into specific construction plans.

Drawings.

    Abstract site plan for the Ark Phoenix showing the residence, Cathedral, Sanctorium and entrances to Sanctorium

    Front elevation view of residence portion of Ark Phoenix which also shows the basement area.

  Side elevation view of residence portion of Ark Phoenix which also shows the basement area.

 Plan view of the residence portion of the Ark Phoenix. Not shown in this view is the interior framing that will form the rooms of the living quarters.

  Elevation view of the East end of the Cathedral and Sanctorium entrances.