February was a funny month. Plagued by rain, including several thunderstorms which dumped vast quantities of water on the site in the space of half and hour or less, progress was slower than expected. Here is a quick photographic update of where we are now on the 1st of March. I’d like to believe that the dry, more mellow days of Autumn are around the corner, but if the steady rain today is anything to go by, that would be foolishly optimistic.
Albert, our head builder.
Albert is on site everyday and participates in the weekly site meetings. He seems to manage and co-ordinate all the other workers quietly and without fuss.
Rupert, our site manager.
Rupert is often on the site but also takes care of small collections and deliveries of materials.
Fireplace in the making.
The fireplace is going on the west wall of the living room with a sash window on either side.
Consulting.
A makeshift table.
Windows between lower and upper kitchen cupboards.
These windows will be able to be opened. The eastern boundary wall is very close to the kitchen so I’m on the lookout for interesting garden wall features.
Concrete lintels for the first floor have arrived.
The first floor slab is made up of concrete lintels with blocks that interlock with them in some way. Other than in the garage, on the ground floor we are having plastered ceilings below the slab.
My brother (an architect), and my sister-in-law (with an eye for design) from Cape Town doing an impromptu site inspection.
Retaining wall going up on North side of cottage.
The retaining wall which is being built down the west side and across north side of the cottage is one feature that has been altered during the construction process. The engineer decided it should be a double core wall. This comprises two identical walls built parallel to each other. The space between the two wall is filled with concrete and a special, porous waterproof membrane in incorporated to diffuse water rather than have it build up against the brickwork. Looking at the work in progress one could be forgiven to thinking we were building a fort. Hopefully all this extra effort will prevent the cottage from sliding down onto the house below – even if this rain never stops.
Lintels ready to be raised into position.
In South African brick-built houses,the first floor is often made up of concrete lintels interlocked with blocks. Sometimes the ceiling of the ground floor is simply the plastered, painting underside of these lintels. In our case, we’re putting in plastered ceiling board 150mm below the slab. Electrical wiring, transformers for downlights etc can then be fitted between the slab and the ceiling board. This allows for changes to be made later too if you decide you need more fittings at a later stage.
Concrete lintels in place above garage. February 27th.
Almost each time I visit the site, I find some sort of random ‘still life’ arrangement that looks like a painting waiting to happen. Below is an example:
Boots made for Working.
And I love the way every effort is made to keep clothes tidy in the simplest of ways:
Hanging Space!
Hopefully the garage will soon be able to be used for storage and for keeping clothes and building materials dry. When is this rain going to stop? I’m thinking of buying gumboots.
home-in-the-making 
You new home is looking lovely, Jacqui and Kevin. It is a thrill to see one’s thoughts and designs begin to take physical form. All the best as it progresses towards completion.
Thanks Ian. I think it’s still quite a long way before completion. The contractor is now saying September and we are adding two months on to that estimate. But yes, it is really satisfying to see the rooms that were once a scribble on a scrap of paper, taking shape. I am already picturing what furniture will go where!
I love that brick, it’s such a pretty mix of colors. You are going to cover it all up tho? I think you had said that before.
Is this your usual rainy season?
Your house is really coming along. I enjoy seeing and learning about all the different materials that you are using.
Hi there HL. The clay bricks are lovely. Many people now build in grey, concrete bricks which are not nearly as attractive. In the end though, the house will be plastered and painted. Although I must say since you and House By The Water have commented on the brickwork, I have started to wonder whether there is anywhere where we could leave some exposed. Still thinking about that. Yes, this is our rainy season on the Highveld, which is how we describe the part of SA where Johannesburg is situated. But this year has been exceptionally wet and usually by now we have started to see a tail-off in the storms and rainfall. We have lost a lot of time to bad weather.
I am equally fascinated by the timber construction of your home. I am familiar with American building materials as a long time ago I spent a year in the States as an exchange student and lived with a family where the father had a construction business. He was intrigued by the fact that our South African homes are built of brick and mortar.
I’m chuckling here in Brazil, at the influence of the internet and worldwide idea sharing. In my mind, the possibilities are endless for leaving the odd exposed brick wall. There is a lot of inspiration around for that online. I’m also amused to see that you have “caught the bug” – the one that causes you to see “art” in a pair of work boots on a brick wall.
As for the build, despite the rain, you have significant progress, the bone of the house are there. That’s a lovely collection of photos.