The Forestry Forum

We're finally able to do this but need help. We love the size and shape of the Sobon Shed. It's perfect for one part of our property but we need ideas for a few things. Here's what we are doing...see attachment. 

I did this myself and apologize. The shed will be built over the old restrooms of an AMVETS building that burned down and was never rebuilt. We plan to use it as an overnight cabin while working on the two main buildings. I have a few questions and wanted to start my own post. I promise to post pictures of all of this. 

1. I saw some chat about a 14' X 16' Sobon Shed but could not find a picture. Could someone share this please if it exists?
 
2. We'd like to drop the loft some and wonder if anyone has experience with this. I'm not concerned about how to build it but more about the working and livability of it. How much could we lower the ceiling height downstairs to increase the loft space? We plan for a full loft.

3. We need help dressing the shed and would appreciate any pictures of completed projects. Siding, window and door placement, ect. We really like vertical siding and thinking a Thoreau style window placement for one side. 

Happy New Year!
Don

2025-01-01 09_58_37-SketchUp.png

Here is the "dutch house" design by Jack Sobon for a 14'x16' with full loft:
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10095/12x14_short_shed.JPG) (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=200546)
I've cut this frame at least once.

Jim Rogers

The basic design is as above.  The only question is how much loftiness you want in your loft.  You just extend the legs or lower the floor joists.  Given the rather small size of the shed, you don't have much leeway in design until the building looks too tall and narrow or the ceiling on the ground floor is too low.

The Dutch house was designed for horizontal siding. The Sobon Shed was designed for vertical siding. The shed has an 8" tie beam 8' up from the bottom of the sill. Subtract the sill, tie beam, and flooring, and you are left with 6'6" headroom. Not much room to work with there. Are you looking for more headroom upstairs?  This building in real life is tall. It's going to be tough to get much more headroom without making that worse. The Dutch House had a 4' knee wall, making it much more pleasant to utilize the loft space.

Thank you, gentlemen. I really appreciate the replies. We are looking for more room upstairs. I have the book and the plate is 10' with 16' to the peak for the shed. A 4' knee wall would solve the problem. Where can I get a copy of the Dutch plan? 14' is a long span. How big are the joists? 

I saved this and like the roof edge detail. It's not rustic but pretty.

2025-01-05 11_40_54-JoanHeatonArchitects_Stoneledge-Shed_01.gif