Chapter 2

The Hermitage

This cabin was especially designed for a hill. Its upper level may face either uphill or downhill since the main entrance is at the side.

Design by Hermanovski

THE unique design shown here solves a difficult problem—how to build on hill property which slopes sharply to one side. Hillside houses may be constructed to hug the natural contour of the land or to be set against it. If they are built at an angle to the hill, the upper levels project forward, as in The Eagle's Nest. If they are built to hug the slope, the upper floors are on the highest part of the ground.

The Hermitage was designed to hug the hill, which means that its bedroom wing is on the high grade. However, since the main entrance is at the side, it may easily be re­versed by extending the concrete sections supporting the bedroom wing. The addi­tional space could be used as a screened porch, extra room or cellar.

The roof is a simple slab with exposed 3x3-in. rafters pitch-shaped 4 ft. on cen-ters. Structural insulation slabs over these provide an economical roof and ceiling finish. A final touch is added to the chimney by a cast stone plate which not only dresses it up but protects it from rain. The walls may be log construction if this is feasible; otherwise, regular frame construction may be used. Windows are the standard wood awning type with fixed plate glass panels. These are set between studs or in window frames with wood moldings and puttied. Both methods are inexpensive yet provide pleasing results. Floors are of regular wood construction. The rough flooring may be finished as desired with plywood, linoleum, asphalt, Vinyl, rubber tile or carpeting. Hardwood flooring such as square parquet or pegged hardwood boards may also be used.

Open foyer forms balcony which U connected to Bring room by stain. At right is handsome fireplace.

At the entrance of The Hermitage, an attractive balcony is guarded by a simple wrought iron railing which may be en­closed with wire mesh, plastic glass or similar material, as the owner prefers. The door and the solid panel to the right may be of hardwood matching-grain flush ply­wood, such as mahogany, birch, corina or walnut.

Inside, the foyer is located on the highest level, in the center of the house. An indoor balcony is created by leaving the foyer open on the living room side and installing a simple contemporary wood railing sup­ported by wrought iron pilasters. Open design wooden stairs leading down to the living room complete the effect.

Bedrooms are separated by partial wall and sliding door. The open space above aids cross ventilation.

The L-shaped plan of The Hermitage provides a larger area inside than one might expect from the exterior. The large living room flows into the dinette section and kitchen, separated only by an open counter. Two bedrooms, a bath complete with tub and shower room, and four storage closets use available space to the best ad­vantage.

The living room itself is beautified by a natural stone fireplace set into a rough stone wall. Some of the stone slabs extend out from the wall to be used as shelves for ornaments. Here, savings may be made by constructing the fireplace of brick and facing it with one-inch-thick silvara stone veneer slabs which cost no more than brick veneer. Between the living room and the kitchen, the open counter serves as a bar for entertaining or between-meal snacks.
The ceiling may be finished in two different ways, both of which are indicated on the building plans. Exposed beams, as shown in the illustrations, create an in­formal, rustic effect. However, regular framing for shallow-pitched roofs may be used instead, if desired.

Mr. Hermanovski's genius for getting the most out of all available footage—both visually and actually—is one of his many talents.    The multi-window treatment of the main area, including the dinette since there is no wall to separate or cut this off, gives the illusion of an extra wide space (over twenty feet) for living. The open balcony and varied textures of the fireplace wall strengthens this illusion. The actual measurements of the living room are 13 ft. 8 in. x 14 ft. 6 in. The dinette and kitchen area measure 7 ft. x 14 ft. 6 in.

The same illusion of openness is appar­ent in the bedroom section. Actually 7 ft. 4 in. x 9 ft. 5 in., the bedroom to the left seems part of the main bedroom to the right (which is 7 ft. 7 in. x 9 ft. 5 in.). This is accomplished through the use of the wide doorway plus the open space above the central wall.

Prices on all of Mr. Hermanovski's cabins can range from nominal to a bit more ex­pensive, depending on the materials used. The average building cost of the Hermit­age, for example, exclusive of the property, would be about $4,500.00. The average cost of The Eagle's Nest (page 4) would be around $9,500.00. About $3,800.00 is all that's needed for The Gypsy (page 12), while The Four Winds (page 16) would cost $6,500.00. Deduct 30 per cent of these costs if the cabin is built as simply as possible— studs showing, no heat, etc. Add 20 per cent if a more finished interior is planned.

From above, the L-shaped plan oi The Hermitage is clearly defined. Note the concrete plate atop chimney.

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