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Outhouse ?

Started by The emperor has no clothes, Sat 24, Aug 2019, 11:05:08

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The emperor has no clothes

We are planning on retiring this winter. If so, we will take our motorhome to Alaska this spring or summer, and leave it there. I've always been partial to outhouses, (at least when it's above 0*). Our motorhome bathroom is pretty tight. I'm sure Brenda will prefer it, but I won't. I've got a few requirements that I'd like to fulfill in this design. But design is not my forte. I'm hoping someone here can help with a rough design, or steer me where I can. Basically I would like the house to be of triple use. A roomed off crapper, a roomed off solar shower, with a separated area for dressing after the shower. Also, here is the main dilemma. I want it to be somewhat unique and whimsical. Something similar to this.

In my mind I had thought of the building facing broadside, with the shower door on the right and a sitting area in the middle. But I can only see how to do it with the building running front to back.
Any ideas ?

Oldfishguy



I would suggest buying something like this and converting it to what you want.  A lot of frontiersmen up in Alaska that have built structures.  Watch Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for structures for sale.  I bought this one in northern Minnesota, disassembled it, and then reassembled it on my property.  Fun projects, and a lot cheaper than a new custom structure.




Jess from VA

I would suggest pure function first, then add the whimsical later (as funds are available).

As darkness is common, it seems like a skylight of some kind would be a god idea, though snow is a problem (and so is it's weight).

Building downwind seems prudent. 

Most all my experience with them was in the Boy Scouts.  They sure were spider magnets.

The emperor has no clothes

Quote from: Pluggy on Sat 24, Aug 2019, 14:20:09
Those are whimsical designs.  A correct outhouse has a flat roof.  A peaked roof privy has six corners for mud wasps to build a nest.  A flat roof privy only has four places.
Mud wasps are not a worry where I will be. Although, I've been told with the warmer temperatures they had a bunch of ground dwellers a couple years back. 98% of outhouses in AK have flat roofs. It may end up I go that way also. Right now I'm planning on unique.

The emperor has no clothes

Quote from: Pluggy on Sat 24, Aug 2019, 15:55:14
How about a moon on the door?
it's required by the govt. of Alaska  :)

cookiedough

I read up on Alaskan outhouses and some use stained glass of all different colors to allow different shades/colors of lighting to penetrate for a cooler looking effect while inside doing your duty... :2funny:

They also said be like 100-150 feet or more away from streams so as to not contaminate ground water as well as building OFF the ground elevated and go very deep as well.   Picking the right location is more important than what the inside looks like.

I would think a 4 foot sitting platform near 1/2 for poddy and the other 2+ feet next to it for sitting/changing clothes would be sufficient and most build a flatter angled roof over a V top.  Have even read on some using a 2 liter 1/2 full of water clear bottle on the roof caulked in really well for lighting as well as stained glass on the sides for lighting.  If built right should last you 20 years or so probalby the rest of your time up there in Alaska.  I never understood fancier homes having double sinks and walk in showers big enough for the whole Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders to fit in (although that would be nice idea :cooldude:) vs. what I have is technically 1 1/2 baths master being 5x8 feet and the 1/2 bath being ONLY 3x5 feet.  It servers our purpose family of 4 since only in there 5-10 minutes at one time a few times per day is all.  I grew up somehow in a one bathroom not even 5x8 size and lived but several times would have been nice to have 2 poddies...

Enjoy retirement been thinking of it more and more myself but not even age 50 yet but wish I was over age 60 near daily now and retire up north on some land AWAY from everyone living the dream.  Would love to sleep in, do what I want every single day, and not listen to a 32 year old millenial female boss who has no clue on how to do our jobs.   :tickedoff:

Ramie

These guys make something like you posted.

http://www.rusticway.com
"I am not a courageous person by nature. I have simply discovered that, at certain key moments in this life, you must find courage in yourself, in order to move forward and live. It is like a muscle and it must be exercised, first a little, and then more and more.  A deep breath and a leap."

Skinhead

My BIL and Sister have a 2 holer on their property outside of Finleyville, Pa.  It was on the property when they bought the house.  It still gets used when my family goes back to visit and we all stay at their modest home.  It is especially popular with Eric's girl friend Taylor.  She enjoys her coffee in the morning with the door open so she can survey the view of the woods.  Good girls like that are few and far between.

Friendsville, TN - Troy, MI

Gryphon Rider

I wouldn't think you'd want it so big that it's impossible to move when the hole fills up. Unless you're gonna have someone come in and pump it out for you.

vanagon40

I apologize in advance for the hijack.

You Might Be a Redneck If . . .

preparing for your daughter's wedding reception includes painting the outhouse.

Exactly what I was doing in the photo.


The emperor has no clothes

Quote from: Skinhead on Mon 26, Aug 2019, 06:22:24
My BIL and Sister have a 2 holer on their property outside of Finleyville, Pa.  It was on the property when they bought the house.  It still gets used when my family goes back to visit and we all stay at their modest home.  It is especially popular with Eric's girl friend Taylor.  She enjoys her coffee in the morning with the door open so she can survey the view of the woods.  Good girls like that are few and far between.

My nephew has a typical Alaskan 2 holer. Right on the bluff looking over Cook Inlet at Mt. Redoubt.

Quote from: Gryphon Rider on Mon 26, Aug 2019, 08:10:17
I wouldn't think you'd want it so big that it's impossible to move when the hole fills up. Unless you're gonna have someone come in and pump it out for you.
That would make sense. But, I don't plan on living long enough to have to worry about it. Just another issue I will pass on to my poor son in law.  :)
Quote from: vanagon40 on Mon 26, Aug 2019, 08:23:48
I apologize in advance for the hijack.

You Might Be a Redneck If . . .

preparing for your daughter's wedding reception includes painting the outhouse.

Exactly what I was doing in the photo.


;D I guess an outhouse at a wedding pretty much screams "I'm a redneck, and proud of it"  :cooldude:

Jess from VA

Quote from: vanagon40 on Mon 26, Aug 2019, 08:23:48
I apologize in advance for the hijack.

You Might Be a Redneck If . . .

preparing for your daughter's wedding reception includes painting the outhouse.

Exactly what I was doing in the photo.



Well, you gotta have some place to put the in-laws up when they come from out of state. 

Pappy!

We built a combination shower/toilet/water heater/sink in an 8'square up at the hunting camp in Alabama. Toilet was not walled off but how hard is it to wait your turn?
Served our needs for years except I think we could have done a better job of insulating the pipes. We Florida boys took a bit longer to grasp that idea for some reason......