Table Of ContentADVANCE PRAISE FOR
Where else can you find working details on timber framing, cordwood masonry,
a living roof, and a floating slab foundation all in one succinct, nicely illustrated step-by-step
package? In Stoneview, author Rob Roy provides everything you need to build a truly sustainable
and attractive guest cottage, studio, or temporary shelter, all for under $6,000. Here’s where
his 30-odd years of workshop and natural building experience really pays off,
especially for the novice builder.
— RICHARD FREUDENBERGER, Publisher, BackHome Magazine
Stoneview is a delightfully readable and incredibly detailed account of a building project
tailor-made for those who’d like to tackle a small project before building their dream home.
It’s a great introduction to natural building techniques and ideas that will prove invaluable as
you undertake other projects — written by one of the natural building world’s masters.
— DAN CHIRAS, author of The Natural House,The Homeowner’s Guide to Renewable Energy,
The New Ecological Home,The Solar House,The Natural Plaster Book, and many more
Rob Roy’s Stoneview is a wonderful new addition for the natural builder’s library.
Rob’s extensive experience shines through in this profusely illustrated step-by-step guide for
the amateur builder. Not only an excellent introduction to cordwood building, Stoneview provides
a surprisingly thorough overview of a range of other systems such as frost-protected foundations,
living roofs, greywater, and using recycled materials. I am certain that this encouraging and
informative book will result in a bunch of charming little buildings popping up all over!
JOSEPH F. KENNEDY, Director,Village Renaissance and
editor, The Art of Natural Building, and BuildingWithout Borders
Full of common-sense ideas, Stoneview will let readers in on the secret of alternative
building — how great it really feels to take a project like this one to completion.
Congratulations on a job well done!
— CLIFF SHOCKEY, author of Stackwall Construction: DoublewallTechnique
N S P
EW OCIETY UBLISHERS
CataloginginPublicationData:
A catalog record for this publication is available from the National Library of
Canada.
Copyright©2008byRobRoy.
Allrightsreserved.
CoverdesignbyDianeMcIntosh.
CoverimagesbyRobRoy.
PrintedinCanada.
FirstprintingJanuary2008.
PaperbackISBN:978-0-86571-597-4
InquiriesregardingrequeststoreprintallorpartofStoneviewshouldbeaddressedto
NewSocietyPublishersattheaddressbelow.
To order directly from the publishers, please call toll-free (North America)
1-800-567-6772,ororderonlineatwww.newsociety.com
Anyotherinquiriescanbedirectedbymailto:
NewSocietyPublishers
P.O.Box189,GabriolaIsland,BCV0R1X0,Canada
(250)247-9737
NewSocietyPublishers’missionistopublishbooksthatcontributeinfundamental
ways to building an ecologically sustainable and just society, and to do so with the
least possible impact on the environment, in a manner that models this vision.We
are committed to doing this not just through education, but through action.This
bookisonesteptowardendingglobaldeforestationandclimatechange.Itisprint-
ed on acid-free paper that is 100% post-consumer recycled (100% old growth
forest-free), processed chlorine free, and printed with vegetable-based, low-VOC
inks, with covers produced using Forest Stewardship Council-certified stock.
Additionally, New Society purchases carbon offsets annually, operating with a car-
bon-neutral footprint. For further information, or to browse our full list of books
andpurchasesecurely,visitourwebsiteat:www.newsociety.com
NEW SOCIETY PUBLISHERS www.newsociety.com
To Bruce Kilgore and Doug Kerr, two uncommon friends.
Without Bruce, Stoneview would not be what it is today.
He provided the front door, the woodstove, the water storage
barrel and the wonderful “log-end toilet.” He loaned us his cut-off
saw for the timber framing work, and helped me haul
hundreds of buckets of soil up onto the roof.
Without Doug, we would not have most of the
drawingsforthisbook.Atleast,theywouldn’tbeasgood.
In common, Bruce and Doug share an enthusiasm
for finding new solutions to problems, and continue to give
of themselves unselfishly to anyone who needs a hand.
Contents
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.................................................................................xv
INTRODUCTION:.........................................................................................1
HOW STONEVIEW — ANDTHIS BOOK — CAME ABOUT
CHAPTER 1 – DESIGN................................................................................5
A Short Course in the Geometry of Octagons...........................................5
Design Considerations for Stoneview.......................................................10
The Octagon Posts...................................................................................12
The Sectional Plan...................................................................................16
The Floor Plan.........................................................................................17
Structural Design Summation..................................................................19
CHAPTER 2 – SITING AND PAD PREPARATION...........................................21
Site Selection............................................................................................21
Your Siting Considerations.......................................................................23
Clearing the Site.......................................................................................24
The Sand Pad...........................................................................................25
Slab Drainage...........................................................................................28
Planning the Footing Forms.....................................................................29
The Soakaway..........................................................................................31
Waste Plumbing in the Sand Pad.............................................................31
ix
