Underneath the Arches
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Some time ago we posted framing photos on Instagram with the rhetorical question, “Isn’t framing beautiful?” More broadly, the rhetorical question should be “Isn’t building beautiful?”.
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Can’t Touch This
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There’s every indication all around that we’re at the finish stage with installed cabinetry disguised behind plastic sheeting, hallway floors and counter surfaces covered with protective cardboard. The warning signs are everywhere: be careful, don’t touch, stay out, no exceptions.
Read MoreUpstairs Downstairs
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We’re seeing the installation of the last of the large steel beams that will support the roof and allow for an expansive central room on the upper floor. Once installed, framing will continue on the roof sections, as well as finishing the framing detail and components of the walls and openings.
Read MoreGoing Green
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Retaining walls, steps and other concrete forms that make up the terraced landscaping have been completed and the landscape crew have already started grading the surrounding terrain for large scale planting. While finishes and details are the focus on the interior, it’s going to be nice to soon see green trees and shrubs replace the bare dirt and construction debris.
Read MoreIt’s Hot Up Here
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Working on the steel structure during the hot summer months, the top floor is exposed to a lot of sun and the heavy reflection from the pan decking means wearing protective clothing and plenty of sunscreen.
Read MoreThis One’s for The Doers
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Here’s to your pride.
Your craftsmanship.
To making it happen.
Mostly, here’s to everyone whose everyday is Labor Day.
Have a good holiday weekend.
Olives Among Oak
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The landscape contractor sited the final locations for the twelve field grown olive trees, and with the help of a giant crane, these thirsty Olea europaea found their way to a new home.
Read MoreBeams and Columns: Part III
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As the steel structure rises, there’s a changing relationship with the surrounding landscape. Standing by three slender Italian Cypress trees, one was afforded expansive views of the valley and a good spot to assess progress some 30 feet below. Now, the construction is at eye-level—and soon we will be looking up at a fully formed structure.
Read MoreHere, There and Everywhere
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Cabinet fitters are installing the cabinetry in many of the rooms. Specialized technicians in the utility rooms are making all of the connections to the complex wiring systems. Subfloors are being laid in every room. And doors and trim are transformed with various stains and finishes. This is the confluence of systems, finishes, fixtures and fittings coming together perfectly. In the coming month as we prepare for the kitchen, appliances and other fitted equipment throughout the home, the attention to detail just becomes more and more acute. But for now, this is a good place to be.
Read MoreBeams and Columns: Part II
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Here’s a look at the basement and ground floor steel frame mostly completed. With the summer heat upon us, it’s hot work down here as the guys finish bolting and welding connections to allow the next level of the steel frame to be constructed. Corrugated steel floor decking will be in place soon, so that framing, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing components can begin in parallel. And that‘s when things really heat up.
Read MoreBeams and Columns: Part I
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With the arrival of the steel beams and girders, this is the first day of the installation. If all of the pieces fit together without a hitch, we’ll have two floors and a roof-frame erected in the next two months. There are parts of construction that are detailed and slow to show progress, but steel erection happens rapidly and the transformation of the job site is quite dramatic. This building, is quite literally, on it’s way up.
Read MoreReady for Steel
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In a month or two this site will be transformed from a concrete form to a rising steel structure. Connector plates and bolt-downs are in place and detailed checks are being made to ensure when the steel columns and beams get erected, they fit nicely together. And with all of the plywood forms removed, we can now transfer the elevation control lines to the concrete walls using our transit device and a good eye.
Read MoreLook Up
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This home is growing up dominated by the surrounding trees, the wooded hills and skyline. It’s until you’re inside, the view of the outdoor landscape naturally forces the eye to see upwards, capturing as much of the ceiling detail, as the floor of the interior. This is also where there’s a lot of attention being paid to the planked ceiling that connects the indoor and outdoor spaces. Meanwhile, the stone masons have put the finishing touches to the grand fireplace and expansive granite walls. And with much of the corten steel panels installed, we’re diligently fabricating and installing the stainless steel flashing that will cap the entire rooftop parapets.
Read MoreWhat’s Inside Is Out
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During this stage of construction there’s a remarkable buzz of activity and orchestration between the many tradesmen here on the jobsite. There’s all of the infrastructure installations like wiring, ductwork, and plumbing detail that is still being addressed, while most visibly our masons apply stone veneer to the inside and exterior surfaces. This is where granite meets barn wood and the soon to be installed corten steel facia panels, creating a rustic modern aesthetic. We can begin to see aspects of a finished home take shape, yet there’s a garage just being framed, a complex layout of terraced landscaping, and a pool — all of which are in the early stages of construction.
Read MoreThe Making of a Mockup
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Building this full size mockup helps us know what’s required for the installation process of the exterior materials. There’s also an important decision to be made. It’s time to choose from four different stone veneer treatments.
Read MoreThe Big Pour
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This is the first of two very active days where several large sections of the foundation were being poured utilizing a truck mounted boom pump and a continuous delivery of concrete by more than 80 trucks.
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