Saturday, September 24, 2011

Week 12 Sept 25

Well there is not much to show this week as the reinforcement of walls continues. However it is very important to do this as we are in earthquake country, here is the photo from the X spot this week.

The fireplace is being redone to accomodate a heat exchange box that I wanted incorporated in the area above the firebox will hopefully improve the efficiency.

Here the maze reappears in a shot taken from the top of the entrance wall looking toward the master bathroom.


And we end with a shot from the front corner of the lot as we approach the house.

Next week we will probably see action on the second floor, drop by when you can.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

End Week 11 - Two things, the house and hiking in Intag rain forest

On Thursday I went hiking with my new friend Dr. Andreas Ray in the Intag. It is a rain forest area west of Cotacachi. If you have Google Earth installed I can send you a file that will trace our route. (just send me an email and I will attach it to a reply.) our trip went from Santa Rosa to Apuela.
Anyway after a 2.5 hour bus ride we arrived at our jumping off point of Santa Rosa (basically a school) and we took the path to the left.

Below are photos of some of the many flowers and orchids and a butterfly we saw along the way:







Here is a photo of Andreas my hiking companion and guide, at our lunch spot:

and here is how I saw Andreas most of the hike:

Here is the waterfall where we ate lunch a very beautiful and restful spot:

And here is a tired me next to some very big leaves about half way into the trip:

At last we arrived in the square of the village of Apuela and sat down to a well deserved cervesa and two bottles of water.


NOW FOR THE UPDATE ON THE HOUSE:

The X spot photo today is changed very little, most of the work was done on the other side of the house.

They have removed the arch supports from many openings, here is the view from the Living Room thru the entrance.
Here is the sauna wall in the bathroom - on the left is the coated reinforced wall and on the right the exposed 4x4 mesh wire 

Here is a detail of the reinforcement

Here is where most of the work was done this week, remember there is wire on both sides of the wall with conections thru the wall.

Ane welcomes all from the entrance.

Last here is the front view showing the guest bedroom and office windows whos sills have been raised so they will be approx 1 meter from the floor so can have desk or bed under them.

Well that's it for this week thanks for visiting.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Week 10

This week there is not much visual change, the walls are almost all up for the first floor and they started and almost finished the rebar and cement top ring. Here is the X spot photo for week 10.

Here is a detail of the finished and still formed sections of the ring, last weeks entry has photos of the rebar that is inside of the cement ring. This ties the walls together at the top and the vertical rebar sticking up will attach the roof beams to the walls.

The Yoga room with its large arched window took shape this week.

Here is a view down the hallway towards the entrance tower from the bedroom area.

The view from the backyard shows the Dining area taking shape on the left and the unfinished fireplace chimney in the center.

All in all from the front as you approach the house is starting to take shape. Here are the entry way and to the right, the garage.




Sunday, September 4, 2011

Sept 4, 2011 end of week 9

 Well the first floor walls are almost all done and the iron work for the rebar reinforcing ring around the top which will be encased in concrete is half done. Here is the X spot photo for this week.


Next is a photo of where I stand for the X spot with beautiful grass behind me.
Here is a detail of the rebar reinforcing ring.


Master bathroom future Sauna on right and future bath with circular window on left.

View from future office window of Volcan Coatacachi
The Living room fireplace takes shape (one of four fireplaces, Living room, office, Master bedroom and upstares away room) this and the section of wall behind it is all that is left of building the first floor walls.

OK thats it for this week, thanks for visiting.