Rising from the Foundations - Slowly

The architect when asked the inevitable 'when will the net zero home be done?' or some such query, he quietly gives the Gallic shrug and admits he isn't quite sure. He sometimes enjoys referring to this new trend called 'slow architecture'. This is a design that was pondered and massaged for two years. The details were tweaked and toyed with to achieve a pleasing balance that is subtle. It is a harmonic grouping of systems: heating; cooling; plumbing; lighting; aesthetics holistically working together. Its construction is very much sourced from local construction companies, and built in some phases by the architect and helper but in most cases, built by local tradesmen.

Bob ordered in mid June 2010 the masonry blocks from a local cement company in the County and had them delivered close to and around the construction site. Our site was filled with a variety of Juniper trees and they had to be chopped down to allow for the cement block delivery.

Our local sand and gravel company delivered sand to back fill the eastern area of the footprint in and around the architect's studio and greenhouse. The stage was set for the arrival of the Mason and his crew.

Smoky taking a Siesta

What's a construction site without a few barking dogs. Smoky has taken very well to travelling up in the truck and following his favourite buddy, Robby who lives at the mini-house. Sometimes the day becomes too busy and he finds a cool spot to stretch out. Finding the truck a safe haven, Smoky splays himself out and lets the activity just pass him by.

Fitting the Forms for the East Wing

Last September 2009 Jim from the Mini-House and Bob, the architect carefully established the footings for the east wing set carefully at 22 degrees from the main house. the footings were plum, square and true. The work needed to include the greenhouse facing the south side and designed to winter our herbs and prepare tasty leafy greens for the early spring.

In early May Bob and Linda set up the campsite for the new season and although nights were chilly, the work to place the forms in place for the east wing began.

By mid May the buzz in the neighbourhood was that Bob and Jim needed some braun so Mile from Small Pond Arts Studio on Clark Road not far away came on the day of the 'pour'.

With the help of Rick carefully manoevering the pre-mix concrete chute to send the concrete at just the right spot, the job was done in less than 1.5 hours.

Fourty eight hours later, the forms were stripped and the foundation ready for Frank the Mason, who had already been alerted of our progress and was ready to work.