nav
|
FLORIDA HANGAR HOME
The idea of building a very unique family home inside of an airplane hangar came from an extremely vivid imagination and multiple trips to Walt Disney World and EPCOT. The construction methods used by Disney stirred my imagination as a young boy through my adult years, and finally onto a napkin in a restaurant while vacationing at Disney. I drew a rough sketch of a small town similar to Main Street at Disney World and showed my wife and kids and said "I'm going to build us this house... in an aircraft hangar!". You should have seen the looks on their faces. The kids' faces were showing "WOW", while my wife looked at me as she has with all my plans, supporting me by saying..."OK".
When we returned home I drew more plans, started having building materials sent to the site location and awaited the sale of my home. Once the home sold, I had to retire from law enforcement after 13 years in order to build the new one. I ordered the aircraft hangar and, once it arrived, went to work. My father helped me everyday starting each morning at 5:30 AM, until usually after 6:00 PM. or later at times. He was right by my side in support of my dreams and made them as if they were his own, although I really think he thought I was 'looney' sometimes. I also had a lot of help from my Uncle Charles, and a few dear friends who labored for just a cold Gatorade and a Subway sandwich.
After one month of construction the hangar was up; coming in at 4200 sq.ft. and 27 feet high. Now the real fun would begin. I knew how much room I would need for a large twin engine aircraft, now I just had to fit a house around it! I built the entire home from blueprints that could only be found inside my head. I needed three bedrooms, 2-1/2 bathrooms, a diner for a kitchen , a pilots' lounge for a living room, a movie theater, a music room, a barber shop (every town has to have one), a workout room with a spa, a military recruiting office, and a book shop for my wife.
Eight months after starting the project, we are almost ready to move in and the dream was becoming reality. We had to add an entire sprinkler system to the house and hangar to meet code requirements, but we ended up with a house that fights fires on it's own and, if need be, a fire truck can couple directly to the exterior of the hangar and no one ever has to enter, putting their life at risk. Did I mention I had to draw my blueprints for the permit? The people in the permitting office really thought I was crazy!
So, it is finally done ... or so I thought. I had empty hangar wall space so I added some storage which looks like a bait and tackle shop complete with an indoor pond, fountains and fish. Across the hangar, additional storage space disguised as a barn/stable (where our great dane, Commander, makes his home). The 3800 sq.ft. home has 28 different exterior colors and 23 different interior wall colors. I built every phase of this house including painting and decorating, but brought in professionals to hang the sheet rock, lay the tile, and build in the air conditioning (yes, I did make the theater curtains!).
The home has received notoriety in many newspapers, other publishings, local television and is still featured on H.G.T.V.'s national television show "Building Character". For air times logon to www.hgtv.com and search "Florida hangar".
You've heard all about me and my dream house but let me share this with you. First and foremost, this life I live, my wife and family I have, the house I built, and all my dreams are a gift from God. As I told my family I would build them this house, God has promised to prepare a mansion for me in Heaven.
He is my Lord and Savior. Without him, none of what you see would be possible. I thank you Lord!!!
Thanks also to my wonderful wife, Meredith, who has supported me in all of my dreams so unselfishly. Thank you to my daughter Jimi Elizabeth and my son Robert III (Bobby) for all of the hugs, kisses and bedtime prayers and for that special word you use so much ... Daddy. To my Dad, the best a son could ever have, for your love and the inspiring childhood you provided. To my Uncle Charles who always believes in me. To all my friends, I love you and my God richly bless you. To you who are reading this, if you don't now Jesus as your personal Savior, ask Him today to forgive you of your sins and be Savior of your life. You will be eternally grateful you did. If you would like to know more about God's love visit www.fbfirst.net.
Enjoy your virtual tour of our home!
Robert D. Severance, Jr.
|