Raised Foundations

Hi all. A relatively short update this week. There has been a reasonable amount of progress over at the site but there’s not a huge amount I think we can really say about it in the blog post! I was able to drive over there last Saturday to take some pictures, which you can find at the bottom of the page as usual.

The most noticeable change is that the next level of the foundations has been completed. You can no longer see the steel rebar that is reinforcing the concrete and the wood panels have now been removed. What is left is a smooth and rather cool looking concrete maze on which the frame will eventually sit when it goes up (hopefully in the next 2-3 weeks depending on the rain)

The concrete base actually sits about 50cm above ground level. The reason for this is to raise the whole house by that distance in order to build up as high as possible without including an expensive (and difficult to get through planning control) 3^rd floor. We want the house to be as tall as possible to protect the views we have over the house in front, in case they decide to rebuild at some stage.

I think, now more than ever, we can really get a feel for how big the house is going to be and where it sits on the plot. Actually, I think the builders have got the position of the house absolutely perfect and there is plenty of access space around the East side where all of the meters and various house equipment will be. The garden feels like a good size and the wood deck is well situated. It’s still a bit dicey next to the carpark area but that will no doubt feel a lot safer when the roof is added.

There has also been some progress on the concrete steps that will lead up to the front door from the road. The plot shape and elevation dictate that these will have to be fairly steep, but we’ve opted for a simple design that should hopefully make getting up and down them reasonably easy.

As I said, there’s not a whole lot to write about since the pictures can give you a much better idea than I can. There are likely to be quite a few updates over the next few weeks as the pace is really picking up. Of course, it’s now rainy season so delays are always possible. As always, please keep in touch and keep your questions and comments coming. Speak soon!

View to the NW. Shows well how the house sits on the plot I think.

View to the SE taken from the garden.

View to the east. It's reasonably narrow between the end wall and the car park. The roof will make this a lot safer!

View down the soon-to-be staircase

View up the soon-to-be staircase

The gap where the front door will go. Before that is the porch

The corridor stretching from the study to the south wall of the house

Mini foundations for the wood deck

Smooth concrete - this is the kids' room

The south garden area. Small, but with elevated veg patches on the RHS

The main garden. There is a little bit of space to the left of where I am standing too

A final picture of our concrete maze