The day after.... 

The start and on cue the slow drizzle starts 

Concrete pump in place, awaiting the first concrete truck 

Out of the Ground

Last week the weather looked favourable for the pouring of the slab. A anti-cyclone moving across behind a low pressure system that would pass at the weekend. Favourable conditions for the pouring of concrete. The steel work had been laid and inspected by the Building inspector.

Tuesday arrived, the concrete pump arrived before the sun had risen and as it backed into place the light drizzle began……………… Not enough to stop the laying of concrete but not the best working conditions though I had the impression that these conditions where hardly the worst this team had endured. The pour went well. By Wednesday the formwork was stripped away, the building was out of the ground!

Stairs off the courtyard into thelandscape 

Accommodation wing with footings set out 

Ready to box up for the concrete slab 

Charlie Notices the Patterns

Charlie, the builder that I have engaged has an eye for detail. Whilst having built more houses than I (my total remains at zero) and having a better appreciation of the intricacies of the weather patterns of this region than I as a recent blow in of some 5 years also has demonstrated a bloody good eye for anticipation of the detailing that is to be required as this Murcutt/Lewin building rises out of the ground.

Earlier this week we discussed the fabrication of the steel for the columns, the rear window and firebox all of which are considered objects that you do not just gas axe the steel and weld together. Charlie’s point was clear from his visit to Glenn & Wendy’s house is that every item is considered in the way in which it is detailed and brought together. Charlie outlined his discussion with Des the steel fabricator on the 16mm steel plate structure that forms the window frame assembly for the rear of the house. There are minimal dimensions though not a reason to scream but a reason to pause and consider, ensuring that the builder thinks and discusses how each element comes together. In this instance it is how the width of the window frame circa 5m wide and almost 6m high of 16mm steel plate (obviously some fun to come when this piece is to erected) comes together to meet the bricks. It is the junction of the materials that the eye focuses on (yes I remember this bit of design detailing in a fog from my post grad studies in Landscape Architecture). Charlie enthuses that the dimension for this window and all the other windows will be controlled by the junction of the materials enabling the eye to flow across the building. This flow though is controlled by shop drawings and the dimension of a brick and consideration from the builder and his team. Thanks Charlie!