It’s been some time since my last article, and a lot has happened with the house. Here are a few shots from late January, 2014, when most of the interior framing was done. The great room arches and bookcase/shelves do a lot to define the space, and make it more attractive than the relatively simple […]
Getting in the Frame Read More »
Even if it isn’t the final, finished one. After all, even though California is experiencing one of its driest years on record, we can’t count on the rain staying away much longer. Putting the roof sheathing on changed the feel of the project again. It feels much more like a real house now when you’re
It’s Nice to Have a Roof Read More »
Probably the scariest activity I’ve seen at the job site is what carpenters call “plate walking”. That’s when they walk along the 2×4 (or 2×6, in our case) horizontal boards that form the top of a framed wall. There’s not much room for error in how you put your feet down. And it can be
The entry way to our new home is a vaulted two story opening, without a first floor ceiling on which to build the second floor framing. Instead, a technique called “balloon framing” — single-piece posts* running from the first floor to the roof line — is being used. As an aside, I love all the
That’s a Big Post! Read More »
I’ve commented before on how different stages of construction cause the project to present different appearances. With the second floor framing well underway, and almost all of the first floor sheathing done, it looks like boxes set on top of boxes. Which isn’t at all what the design looks like! Without the roof you don’t
I’m not personally big on preservation for preservation’s sake, because it seems to me that the essence of life is change. But I do like to be reminded of connections, to the wider world and to that which came before me. It’s why I’ve kept my paternal grandfather’s old pocket watch with me for the
The Shoots That Bind Read More »
We’re well into what Rich, my contractor, calls the HVP phase: Highly Visible Progress. Framing sprouts up all over the place, and almost every day something obviously new is added. It’s great to see the house taking shape! We now have a really good feel for what the layout and spaces will look and feel
Reach for the Sky! Read More »
I also added some more photos to the Foundation gallery. Check out the earlier posting to see them. Once the framing started, two things happened to change my perception of the project. First, the house began to look much bigger, because I could more easily imagine how expansive the floor space is (the concrete foundation
Here’s some video of the two concrete pours that built the foundation for our new home. The first step involved filling the 37 holes dug for piers. Next, forms to make the grade beams were built and then filled. Some things to note when you watch the video: It takes a multi-person team to execute
Video: Pouring Concrete Read More »
Before pouring the foundation, we had to drill 37 holes down to bedrock* to secure the structure. At the project site, this meant going down 14 to 16 feet. Here’s a brief video showing some highlights from the process. Drilling from Mark Olbert on Vimeo. A few things to notice as you watch the video:
Video: Drilling Pier Holes Read More »