Framing almost complete
We're about 11 months into the project and have about a year to go. The house is really feeling like a house and we are fighting impatience. Each time we visit, leaving becomes harder. I'm tempted to bring a sleeping bag and pretend it is done.
April 13, 2007 Walkthrough video
The house faces due south and gets a lot of sun. I was always worried about sun exposure and the amount of glass we have. Our architect did sun studies and ensured us the big roof overhang on the south side would solve the problem. Well, the overhang is in and it looks like it does the job. You can also now see why the beams over the covered patio are so big; the overhang is huge.
Framing is close to complete and the subcontractors are starting their work. The roof sheathing needs just a couple more pieces then the roofer can make it watertight. The plumber started this week and should be done next week. Our plumbing will be done with a combination of the old style copper and new style PEX (flexible plastic) pipe for water delivery and cast iron for drains. I've been in houses where drain pipes were plastic and flushing a toilet on the second floor was uncomfortably loud on the first floor.
After the plumber is done, the fire sprinklers will go in. Sprinklers are common in houses in the Bay Area but our contractor says ours is the first private home he's built with sprinklers. From what I've read, sprinklers limit fire damage to a very small area.
Once the sprinklers are plumbed, the electrician does his work. I originally intended to design all the low voltage wiring (network, phone, audio, and video) myself but came to the conclusion that technology was changing so fast that I would design a system that was already out of date. On our contractor's last job, he was impressed with the wiring consultant hired by the owner so I contacted the same guy. He'll design the system and specify what wires get pulled where. He also does the final install where he sets up the wiring closet. I'd like to do at least part of this myself so I'm comfortable reconfiguring the system if that is ever necessary.
Susan has found several landscape designers/architects and we've started to meet with them. The front of the house, where the beautiful views are, will be left untouched. The back will have a garden that has a gentle transition to the natural landscape. Susan would love to have a small pond for wildlife in the nearby meadow but obtaining a pond permit is getting increasingly difficult. We've been told that we should be ok due to the pond site but that remains to be seen.
Entry to the covered patio and common areas
View across the common areas to the covered patio.
View from within the common areas across the covered patio, down towards the pool
Roof over the patio and common areas
April 13, 2007 Walkthrough video
The house faces due south and gets a lot of sun. I was always worried about sun exposure and the amount of glass we have. Our architect did sun studies and ensured us the big roof overhang on the south side would solve the problem. Well, the overhang is in and it looks like it does the job. You can also now see why the beams over the covered patio are so big; the overhang is huge.
Framing is close to complete and the subcontractors are starting their work. The roof sheathing needs just a couple more pieces then the roofer can make it watertight. The plumber started this week and should be done next week. Our plumbing will be done with a combination of the old style copper and new style PEX (flexible plastic) pipe for water delivery and cast iron for drains. I've been in houses where drain pipes were plastic and flushing a toilet on the second floor was uncomfortably loud on the first floor.
After the plumber is done, the fire sprinklers will go in. Sprinklers are common in houses in the Bay Area but our contractor says ours is the first private home he's built with sprinklers. From what I've read, sprinklers limit fire damage to a very small area.
Once the sprinklers are plumbed, the electrician does his work. I originally intended to design all the low voltage wiring (network, phone, audio, and video) myself but came to the conclusion that technology was changing so fast that I would design a system that was already out of date. On our contractor's last job, he was impressed with the wiring consultant hired by the owner so I contacted the same guy. He'll design the system and specify what wires get pulled where. He also does the final install where he sets up the wiring closet. I'd like to do at least part of this myself so I'm comfortable reconfiguring the system if that is ever necessary.
Susan has found several landscape designers/architects and we've started to meet with them. The front of the house, where the beautiful views are, will be left untouched. The back will have a garden that has a gentle transition to the natural landscape. Susan would love to have a small pond for wildlife in the nearby meadow but obtaining a pond permit is getting increasingly difficult. We've been told that we should be ok due to the pond site but that remains to be seen.
posted by Jim Barstow at
8:06 PM
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