I do get emails, sometimes

I got an email yesterday from a "fan" of my house designs. I do enjoy it when someone likes something enough to actually contact me about it. It's flattering, of course, but it also reinforces the reasons I do it in the first place. 1) Yes, because I can, and 2) because it could provide ideas and inspiration to others.

Sometimes I wish I actually knew more about architecture than I do. I did start out to become an architect, but along the way (and for various reasons) ended up doing software architecture, instead. I have also wanted to be a writer and a rock musician, as well. Software isn't quite as glamorous as the others, but it does pay reasonably well.

Here is the text of the message (note that her name and address has been anonymized):

From: Mary Myers
To: coogan at mindspring dot com
Subject: Classic Victorian #1 House Design
Date: Apr 19, 2007 6:58 PM

To whom this may concern:
Hi, my name is Mary Myers, and I'm looking for information on this house you have designed. I noticed it about a year ago or so, and I have fallen in love with it. I'm curious if there is someone you could give me an estimate on how much a house like this we be to build, and if it would be possible. It is a dream house to me, and I would love to start making cuts now so I am able to afford the house in the future. Thank you very much. You can reply back to me at [address] at yahoo dot com. Thanks again.

Sincerely,
Mary Myers

And here is what I replied:

From: John Horst
To: [address] at yahoo dot com
Subject: Classic Victorian #1 House Design
Date: Apr 20, 2007 1:27 PM

Mary,

It would certainly be possible to build such a house, though the cost would be considerable. Many of the things that were common in the Victorian era, particularly the size of the houses and such things as interior woodworking, all make a house costly to build. Personally, I lament that we tend to tear down such 100 year old treasures today instead of preserving and maintaining them.

The best thing you could do would be contact an architect in your locality. There are architects who specialize in residential work, though you may have to look around to find one. Show them some of the pictures of what you want, and they can give you an idea of the general cost range. Of course, if you aren't ready to build, getting time to talk to someone might be a challenge. I have very little knowledge of the cost to build such a house, since I am by profession a software developer/architect. I only design houses as a hobby--because it's what I like to do. That said, I would guess that outside of the land, a house like that would cost $500,000+ today. No kidding. Quality workmanship and quality materials make a significant difference.

I appreciate that someone likes what they see on my web site. Mainly that's why I post these things--to give ideas and inspiration to others.

Thanks,
John Horst

Some time back a guy (I'm guessing he was male) asked about modeling one of my houses on Second Life. I said it was OK if he wasn't trying to make money from it, and asked if he could let me know when there was something to look at. Who knows where this went, or even if it went anywhere. I don't really expect to hear from him, again.

I'm not really against someone making money from my work, except that if they want to use the images that I've made, I should get to participate in any profits since it was my effort that went into making them. Note that I said images, and not the designs themselves. If someone wants to take my designs and use them, that's not something I can control. Yeah, I know the CC license says no derivative works, which would seem to rule out taking a design and implementing it--i.e., building a house from it, but really the limitation applies mostly to my writing. Don't take my characters or the other stuff I've written about and make your own work from it.

Perhaps I should clarify this, but honestly, exactly 2 people have ever asked, so it doesn't seem too important. But ...

If anyone wants to take a design, or parts of a design, or something, and actually build something similar based on it, then I say go ahead. You don't even have to ask, since I probably would never find out about it, anyway. I am not asking for compensation now, nor would I in the future. If I was worried about being paid for my work, then I probably shouldn't be posting it on the inter-tubes for everyone to see. If you would like to share with me what you've done, then I will be flattered and pleased to know about it. Otherwise, I need to close with my standard disclaimer:

There are no warranties, either express or implied. As in everything (or, as everything should be) use this web site, its contents, and the ideas and/or opinions expressed solely at your own risk. We make no representations for anything.