Sept 29 Post

Hola Friends!

So much more progress on our little casa!

First though, meet mani, our newest neighbor who Rob and Kent recently adopted. Evidently she is quite the little scrapper already, and only a few weeks old! We hear she loves to be right in the midst of all the action, so in this picture she is helping the guys plant a new tree. Somehow I don't think she is holding it down from being blown over by winds...

The crew has been hard at work getting the enclosed rooms on the bodega level completed. In this picture, they have the first hard wall to the owners bodega, a dry room to hold our personal items for when we're not at home in Costa Rica. That blue Miller Generator from Appleton, Wisconsin is sitting in its permanent home. Gerardo will be building a cage structure on the three open walls. The one closest will be a sliding, locking door. When we add compressors, they will be hung above. And gas tanks, in that room as well. The finishes on this level will be very simple... You can also see the guys putting in a temporary bloque zecate walkway to the bodega. While we would ideally love to have concrete stairs by the time we arrive, this will be an adequate way to do our work at that level for now.

Saturday our tile/plumbing supplier delivered our order for all our tiles, sinks, toilets, faucets. That big truck is simply too large to be driven up the mountain of Alazan. Rob used his Kia worktruck to haul the load in parts to the top for storage. That little truck has done a heck of a lot of work at Alazan, hauling all sorts of materials. When one thinks of tough work trucks, Kia is not a name that typically leaps into the USA mind. But in reality, between Kia and its parent company Hyundai, much of the Costa Rican highways are filled!

I'm not going to try to detail out the various tiles that were delivered. But there will be a rather large amount of tile used in our casa. All floors (except shower floors) will have one tile that is both colorful and neutral if you can imagine that. I'll post a photo of that soon... The shower floors are all a nice 15mm x 15mm mozaic. The shower and bathroom walls will compliment that with nice warm tones. The vanity tops look like warm colored rocks. And the laundry counter completes this with more lighter warm tones in that otherwise dark room. The concept of 'inside' and 'outside' is blurred in a tico home.

So in our place, the same tile is on the floor whether in or out.

This final photo, on this uncharacteristically sunny September day, shows the fibroleit going on the lower wall that will be along the stairway going up to the upper veranda.

While I was speaking to Rob today, it sounds as though work will begin this week on installing teak on the cupola feature ceiling. The crew will put fiberglass bats between the metal outer roof and the inner teak roof to soften the sound of rainfall.

So that's the story for now.

Thanks for reading!

Ricardo y Jeeeem

Bodega Started! Sept 25 Post

Hola friends!

Quite a few pictoral updates to share this week. Project status, the roofing has been applied. There are some ridge caps which remain, but at the moment, the greatest quantity of rain falling is shed OFF the casita.

This week, Gerardo and his crew have started on the bodega level, and as you'll see here, has made a TON (or is that several kilos?) of progress. This first photo shows the initial cross pieces which form the main bodega floor going in.

The next photo shows the step up floor with some fibroleit in place. So let me begin to explain just how this level is envisioned to work. You'll see quite a bit of floor space, with only a relatively small amount claimed. The floor has two levels. The larger rectangular main level, and a step up level that is more trapazoidal in shape. That upper level will have walls framed in with fibroliet on both sides. As you look to the edge of the structure, there will be a modest window in this outer wall mostly to transmit natural light. We'll make it a simple slide open window, but for most of its life it will remain closed. I can imagine the dry season day when we open it to air out the space. But for the most part, this enclosed room will have a dehumidifier operating full time, and will be the place we store all our personal items, especially when we're in the states, and renting to guests for their vacations. The smaller front part of this space will be separated from the larger back part with a cage door of sorts, so we can store linens, soaps, etc for employees to stock the upper rooms for vacationers. This owners closet is how we will make this structure work for both ourselves, and vacationers. In this last bodega level shot, you can see the fibroleit subflooring going in. We will tile this, although we will source this tile from Maxi Ferriteria in Parrita. We already found the grippy, non-slip tile that will make this a useful clean level.

Next to the owners fully enclosed closet will be a utility cage to hold our backup generator, the water filter system, compressors, and hopefully, if Jim can source the proper connectors before mid October, the propane gas containers for the stove upstairs. We would most ideally keep those at this level. We have an alternate plan where the tank will be in the cabinet next to the stove, with spares down here, but that is not our favorite solution.

This generator room will be in the very back section of this main level. So as you can see, there is considerable space before either storage area. For now it is our intention to do nothing. We'll make this front area securable as well, protecting both the generator room and owners closet behind two layers of security. But in the future we envision being able to store our motorcycles here, with a roof added on to the side to create a single car carport.

So, the BIG PICTURE, our casa with roof and where you can finally all see the bodega level in the context of the rest of the structure!

Our thanks to our friends Rob and Kent for taking such a great shot that contains it all. You'll see a lot more detail emerge in the next month as the upper fibroleit gets the stucco, and the lower

fibroleit gets applied and finished. During our trip on Oct 18 - 25 the stair from the entry pad upstairs will be constructed. And the final rough plumbing and electric will be completed that week. Once the stairs up are in, we can close off that small upper section that we're currently using to get upstairs.

We'll happily share photos after then, but once those stairs are in, the look of Casita Torrente de Agua will be pretty well set. After then, so much of what I've been explaining with words will finally have context. I'm sure there will be some really exciting pictures as the various floor/wall tiles go in, windows are installed, etc. But on balance, the structure will appear to change very little after about three weeks. In fact, if you go back several blog postings, the shape has been there for quite some time now.

This whole place has really grown on us. It started simply, but some logical extensions led us to move it to the relatively large place it is, even though technically just about half of it is 'inside' space. Upstairs, while this is hardly a huge structure, the volume of the roofline makes it seem huge.

Regrettably, October will be our final trip of 2008. We intend to return after the holidays to put in lights, fixtures, and hopefully spend a couple of nights enjoying our little casa. Sometime between October and January we hope to begin working with our new neighbors Steve and Bruce with their little casa's conceptual design. They've purchased another pair of "the best lots" at Alazan, with a stunning view of the Parrita River Valley and the rainforest.

For those of you following this blog with interest of Costa Rica of your own, there are still many beautiful parcels for sale at Alazan (www.alazancostarica.com) we encourage you to check out.

Thanks for reading...

Ciao!

Ricardo y Jeeeem

Sept 19th Update

Hola our friends!

Some MAJOR advancements this week. Our zinc roofing came in. Not sure you can actually see the green color. No surprise that it challenges Jim. But the terrific news is that we finally have the roofing going on, which makes for DRY insides! We had hoped we would have been at this point before our Labor Day trip - but alas, materials don't always come available in Costa Rica in the week that one might want it.

Actually it was due to this that we bought and paid for all the floor/wall tile - have purchased all our faucets and fixtures, and ordered the kitchen. This way all those items will be in stock and available.

This photo is from the living room, looking up the 20 feet to the cupola feature. All of the underside/inside of this will be teak. When you see that gap at the middle of the photo, there will be openable windows. You can begin to see how dramatic this ceiling feature is...

We are so exited though. Gerardo and crew have put in many roof panels - and as you can see some of the febroleit outside veneer. So why zinc roofing? Well, two reasons. It should not rust. And IF we choose to collect rainwater for reuse - this is an inert material so we wouldn't be adding undesirable chemicals to our water supply.

What is febroliet? It is a fiber/cement material which is smoother and more workable than the concrete board so many in the USA use as backer board for bathroom sub wall where we apply tile. It doesn't break apart, mold, mildue, or rot with the intense Costa Rican humidity. In our case, that febroleit veneer will be covered with stucco in a nice champaigne color.

We're on deck to return on October 18th for a rather aggressive schedule. We will complete all of the supply plumbing which includes a double filter system down at the bodega level; all of the dual grey/black water drain system so that Gerardo and crew can route to the grey water treatment system, and black water septic system. We will work with our crew to create the steps going up to the top floor. We will work with our electrician to wrap up all the rough wiring.

When we leave a week later, Gerardo and crew are free to complete that septic system, put on all the inside walls, install the teak ceiling, finish the inside walls with a troweled plaster finish, complete the floor tile and shower floors/walls.

We will contract with Gerardo to build the three custom bathroom vanity tables (which will get a beautiful tile and some locally produced basket drawers).

So loyal readers, we need MORE FEEDBACK. The area outside of the stair going up is open. We can of course continue the railing feature done on the two veranda's. But, there is HUGE open space above the stair. When you look at this last photo, you can see how the roof covers what will be the stairwell. that febroleit is against the 'outer' wall - stair is outside of that. Will start by that leaning piece of febroleit, and go UP and to the RIGHT intersecting the upper veranda right about where the upper febroleit ends to the right.

We think some of Gerardo's beautiful iron work would be great to softly enclose the space. For certain we want iron doors at the bottom of the stair, and going into the lower laundry (will allow us to lock up the structure when we need to). So please, consider some ideas of iron work. Maybe take some photos and send them our way??? All would be appreciated!

So friends, thanks for visiting our blog. These photos were taken on Sept 18th. We know our friend and project manager Rob has some taken on the 19th - and at this stage the progress moves right along. We expect next week we'll see the "famed" bodega level emerge.

Best wishes to all of you

Ricardo y Jeeeem


ps - Jim set up a NEW BLOG which will set about to give the history BEHIND this construction project. Several parts have been posted, others to follow as this blog evolves... Link is: http://jimdicktdacasainthebeginning.blogspot.com/

Sept 14 Update

Wow, it's been a week since I've posted. I am including a photo of the plumbing prep for bathroom (banyo) #2. Rob shot this photo as we were finishing the supply plumbing on Sept 4th. What you're seeing is hot on left, cold on right with provison to supply the toilet as well. If you look UP from that hot water supply, you'll see the opening for the window OVER the sink. Yup, a window instead of a mirror. Our friend Kent found these really cool swivel cabinets that are mirror on sides and front, with open shelves in back. So will serve as both medicine cabinet and mirror for hair/shaving... We think someone using the bathroom will enjoy the view outside. We'll come up with a clever way to mask for essential privacy.








I mentioned last time that we were expecting the green metal roofing to arrive on Sept 10th. Alas, it is still not here. Gerardo will proceed with febroliet outer wall veneer and stucco until the roofing arrives. Then will close up the top.





You can see Marlon unloading febroliet for that purpose in this photo. Marlon is interesting. In the 12 months he has been involved with our project we have seen him mature. His face is less a tico boy, more a tico man. His talent is expanding as well. He is Alvarro's son - and Alvarro (pronounce it Alberro) is a very talented guy. Seems to be able to do all sorts of tasks well. And is one of the nicest men! I think we'll see Marlon follow in dad's example.





So my friends, you've wanted something NEW here??? While in Costa Rica Labor Day week, Gerardo and I spent some time working out detail for the railing. Simple in design, and we think elegant. Consists of (inches) 1x3 top and bottom rail on its side, so one looks through the thin reveal. The two middle rails are 1x2. The positions are 7in, 17in, 27in and 37in from the febroleit floor. Note that about 1/2 inch of cement will go on top, with tile on top of that. So at end will be about 36" above floor level. Not a high railing. Adequate to hold, but not so high as to block views, even when sitting. We might cap that top rail with teak, but will decide that later. So the first view is detail, the second is seeing it on the upper veranda. Imagine the finished teak ceiling open above you with the american beam accent near the top, and that simple elegant railing below... As of now we're thinking all that metal work will be black. But please, post your opinion of alternative colors. We would like our friends to help us choose colors. Do we use a bright blue? Bright red? Dark green? Satin Black? Multiple colors?





You all probably know the color of teak... The stucco siding will be champaign finish, roof from outside dark green. Clearly black will work... But what else should we consider??? Thanks for posting your comment on color, know that we appreciate it.

So, finally, a preview of what the kitchen will look like. Just a CAD rendition but gives the idea.

All for now...


Ricardo y Jeeeem


ps - Jim set up a NEW BLOG which will set about to give the history BEHIND this construction project. Several parts have been posted, others to follow as this blog evolves... Link is: http://jimdicktdacasainthebeginning.blogspot.com/

Sept 7th Update

What a productive week! We left to return to our casa project on August 30th, catching a 6am Delta flight from Chicago and arriving in San Jose Costa Rica a little before noon. Our day started at 3am to catch a bus to Ohare, and check in for our first Delta flight to CR. With a midday arrival, we determined we could stop by Constru Plaza (http://www.construplaza.co.cr/en/index.htm) to see Roderick about our tile and to pick up our shower faucets which were essential to our successful week plumbing. We did that. All turned out well as Roderick was scheduled to go to a class Monday through Friday, so we would not have been able to see him had we not stopped in Saturday afternoon.

We had to pick out an alternative shower floor tile, and bathroom vanity top tile from our original selection. But Roderick had some in mind he showed us; which turned out to be PERFECT selections! Our thanks to him for his excellent choices. We paid for the entire tile order to ensure it was all in place for us. The only problem we had was we were unable to pick up the third shower faucet. It is our great hope it will be in by early October... Anyway, this made Saturday afternoon particularly productive.

We also attempted to contact the kitchen place, Euromobilia, to no avail...

We met up with Rob and Kent that afternoon, and again Sunday morning when we began the drive over in the morning so that we could arrive, get our rental car in Jaco, hotel in Parrita, and meet Gerardo and guests for a fiesta up by the project. We sure slept well Sunday night.

Monday we woke up around 7am, and met the crew out at the project with the thought of meeting our electrician, and beginning our plumbing project. Alas, some of the necessary infrastructure was not in place to allow us to begin. So that day was spent planning details on where we needed holes in wall "studs" to allow us to pass pipes. Monday was a sunny day as evidenced by this first photo. Monday afternoon Enricque showed up to walk through the electrical installation. What an interesting visit that was! But we worked out a price, and he left promising to return the next day to start...

Rob met with us and shared with us the opinion of Callie and John's architect, Pietro Stagno, that our intended roof material would pose a problem collecting organic matter, and growing moss/mold. So we selected a green smooth steel roofing material. We'll use fiberglass batts between the metal and our teek inside ceiling which hopefully will reduce rain noise. The steel roofing should be less expensive, and we surely won't mind that! Dick took advantage of some of the downtime to take some photos of the waterfall. I selected this photo of several he took to post here. The sound was incredible!

Tuesday was marginally more productive. We worked out a mounting system for the shower faucets and Gerardo proceeded to craft the three pieces needed for our consistent build. We also specified several mods to our shower spaces so we would have good, but hidden places to run plumbing. None of the changes will make a noticable change to the three bathrooms, but the ease and consistency of plumbing will be evident. But we were never able to actually begin installing pipe as various details had to be completed... Sigh... :-) We did get far enough to decide to show up before 6am on Wednesday since we knew we could finally begin installing pipe then.


Wednesday we arrived with this view in front of us! The fog lifted rapidly enough that day. Unfortunately on Thursday, our last working day, it rained the entire day! True to form though, once the team of Dick and Jim began actually installing pipe, our progress was rapid! We fashioned the shower faucet installation and made two identical sub-assemblies which we hung (one in the upstairs bath, one in what we're calling bath #2; bath #3 will wait for our final faucet). You can see a fully installed shower faucet in this photo we took before leaving Thursday afternoon.


Thursday morning, albeit heavy rain, we arrived early, and worked until our departure in the afternoon back to San Jose. We are pleased we completed all the supply plumbing with a place below the first floor to pick up the incoming water pipe (after filtering), and provisioned for the Electric Tankless water heater which is on its way to Costa Rica now.

So while we were winding up finishing what we could get done in heavy rain, a branch managed to knock down a power line on Alazan, and our departure was delayed while we waited for ICE to arrive to shut power OFF to the lines which were on the roadway, allowing us to exit. Dick and I took some pictures of the completed retaining wall - and selected this one which shows the drainage ditches (concrete half pipes). There is a little more work moving the drive one zecate towards the ditch, and then concreting between it and the ditch to create a sealed system. This might have to wait for dryer weather though! Anyway, while not so visible in the photo, that drain was working well... This photo taken from Callie and John's driveway looking towards our little casa....

During the week I phoned Euromobilia, the kitchen place, several times. I did successfully exchange some emails with them, and thought I had an appointment for Friday. But early Friday they wanted to move it to the following week. Frustrated after several months of this nonsense; we looked Friday morning at other places we might check out in an Costrican Architectural magazine Steve had; and picked out several places we might check into. One of them was 'Dada Cocine' (http://www.cocinasdada.com/). When we got there we met Joseph, and looked over their Italian made offerings. Joseph, and his coworker William did a great job talking through options with some helpful displays in their store. Since we were so late in the project, and our kitchen plan was relatively modest, they agreed to work out the full drawing and pricing within a few hours.

We walked down the street to look at the GE appliance store, and a local appliance store Gallo to see about available appliances. Armed with that detail, dada's CAD drawer (Tony) was able to size for the appliances we wanted. We had time on our hands so also went to Habitat, an interesting furniture store nearby.

That afternoon we returned to dada, reviewed the plan; made a few minor revisions. Then while we waited the revised plan, final pricing and contract were created. So we were able to order our new kitchen before we left. We are so grateful to Joseph and William for being so responsive to our need. I think we've layed the groundwork for a store that will help future Alazan home builders to more easily obtain a quality kitchen.

In a future blog, I'm hopeful dada will be able to send me .pdf's of the layouts I can post here.

I need to also mention that staying at Casa Bellarita (http://www.casabellarita.com/) were prospective neighbors Steve and Bruce from Florida. We enjoyed dinner with Kent/Rob and them Thursday afternoon. Then while we were doing our business on Friday; the four of them drove back to the coast so that Bruce and Steve could see Alazan. We are looking forward to hearing much more this week about that visit.

Meanwhile, Dick and I need to plan our next trip. It is clear to us that instead of a ThanksGiving and Christmas trip, we'll need to make one in October even though that will be the highpoint of the rainy season - so that we can complete all supply and waste plumbing, and correct any electrical mistakes before the walls are closed up. So I believe the October trip will be the last one of 2008; and that we'll hold off returning until January or so for remaining trips... We hope to have a lockable bodega space by the time we return in October.

All for now. Thanks for reading!

Ricardo y Jeeeem

ps - Jim set up a NEW BLOG which will set about to give the history BEHIND this construction project. Several parts have been posted, others to follow as this blog evolves... Link is: http://jimdicktdacasainthebeginning.blogspot.com/