The Wall, Part 2 Upper Planter Box

View from Neighbors Driveway entrance (Rob and Kent)

 Welcome back!  Thanks for visiting.

This post is oriented to another part of completion.  This post is from a couple driveways uphill of us, and shows our steep driveway which is, to come extent, the impetus for this years project.

In this first photo you can't see any of the wall construction around our casa.  You can see the house, the stair along side it; and perhaps gain some of the perspective about WHY we wanted the UPPER PLANTER BOX.

Vew from next drive down (Callie and John)

Driving further down to Callie and John's driveway entrance, you can see where, technically, our drive begins. 

Going downhill the length of this drive is a retaining wall which provides stability for Callie and Johns land, and our land, and land above our house.  This is one long continuous wall.  It runs from their meter box post, down hill and across the back of our house.  And this wall is where the water control, extended upper retining wall, etc starts. 

J Wall now Stepped for final build

When you double click on the second photo to enlarge it, you can see the block work that is nearly at the level of the finished planter box in the last photo.  From up the drive, you can imagine the improvement to privacy that will result from planting a shock of bamboo in that upper and outer planter box. 

Upper planter Box Finished

This third photo shows how we've revised the J Wall, into three steps.  The lowest one is the height of the inside planter (lowest step, right side of photo).  The middle one is really to ensure a smoother transition when we build a wall on top of this blockwork, to create the INSIDE courtyard.    We were thinking that courtyard would be finished in 2012.  But our crew is not large, and projects in our community are legion.  So unfortunately, beyond all this foundation work, completion won't happen until 2013.  Still, plenty more work to accomplish this year at Casa Torrente De Agua.  

In this final photo, you can see the upper planter box structure completed.  That flat concrete along the drive will be broken up and put in the bottom of that box for drainage, and it will be filled close to the top with soil.  Then we'll plant bamboo.  The driveway along the "J Wall" will be finished with blok zacate from driveway below which is being raised up, and which will be finished in gravel. 

The bamboo will grow quickly in this tropical climate; this is after all a tropical jungle.  And in about a year, that whole stair will be obsured by bamboo.  The box will contain the tendency of the bamboo to take up space, but we'll have some shoots over time to replant elsewhere. 

So like the extension of the upper retaining wall in a prior post, this is one more step towards completion.

Upper Retaining Wall Drain System

Pipe just to end of upper wall, looking downhill

As part of extending and making the Upper Retaining Wall higher; our experience after some years now at Alazan was that we needed to include a drain system in the wall design. 

The crew dug out behind the upper wall and layed in a system composed of landscape fabric, gravel, PVC pipe.  They manually drilled holes into the topside of the pipe so that water could percolate into it and be carried away. 

This is a low flow system, so water never really gets going in a rush; but rather the hydrostatic pressure behind the retaining wall never builds up - and thus this serves to relieve pressure and make the entire system safer.

Upper wall, house foundation joined

These fist two photos show the pipe terminating at the end of the wall syatem, and then the 90 degree bend to route it downhill and past the lower corner posts of the house. 

It is, admittedly, hard to discern the height off the ground of that wall whose block is slightly exposed near the center right side of the second photo.  But when I stand on the ground at that point, it is about chest high.  The drop to the corner post at the bottom (top right of photo) is about 1.5 stories of drop. 

Perf pipe end

This third photo shows the pipe with all the holes
our crew drilled to make it from a solid pipe to a perf pipe.  Unlike commercial perf pipe, the holes are only on the top half of the pipe.  And top half determined after it was layed in place. 

You can see a piece of PVC elbow sitting there wiating to be installed. 

Perf pipe under gravael

 In this fourth photo, you can see the trench behind the upper wall, with landscape fabric and gravel.  The perf pipe is buried within that gravel. 

At end, this wall was raised one full block higher making a more appropriate transisiton from ground level into the wall.  What we are seeking to avoid with these changes is any water at all that might come downhill during heavy rains from flowing OVER the wall, but rather have that carried away by the pipe. 

Drain extended downhill

In this final photo, you can see the pipe (non perf at this point) running downhill past the end of the house.  This year for rainy season, water will now be safely carried away. 








Thanks for reading our blog!

Jim and Dick

Upper Retaining Wall Completed



Initial work at existing height

Hi again.

In this post, I'm showing the completion of the Upper retaining wall.  This wall was the first part of construction back in 2008 when this whole project started. 

In previous posts, I noted that this wall didn't extend across the entire side of the house.  In this project, we were looking for an invisible benefit; a structural improvement that would tie together the house foundation wall and the upper retaining wall.  


Ended, final height started

The other thing this part of the project does is set the path in place for a walkway.  Right now it is a walkway to nowhere - a concept so popular in Milwaukee with the Hoan "Bridge to nowhere". 

In our case, that corner of concrete block on the right side at floor level will be the starting point for a new deck (but of steel and fibrolet and tile) across that entire side of the house.  That deck will be a lounging location, but serve as an alternate pathway to connect to the lower veranda off the two bedrooms on this level.  And we'll gain the benefit of being able to put a ladder there to wash windows, paint, and otherwise service that side of the house.



Final height almost done

 In this photo you can see that upper retaining wall raised one block higher.  If you look closely, it is not quite finished, but well along to completion. 

Done and cleaned up

This photo shows the wall finished, and the area generally cleaned up.  When the rest of the courtyard is done, the concrete floor up to the short curb and gravel line will be tiled.  On top of the concrete block wall will be steel and fibrolit that will enclose this space; and some form of open grill will be windows in that wall.

Then we we finally landscape this hillside to complete the whole planing area between our house, and our neighbors, that will be visible thorugh these "windows". 

This will have the effect of a new room, but with and open to sky ceiling. 


Upper Retaining Wall Extension - Laying Block

This post reflects what we refer to as the UPPER WALL EXTENSION.  This went part way across the back (in future what we will call left side) of the house.  In rains, mud would splash over the wall and onto the house.  Plus it posed a hazard.

So the project was to extend this wall across the entire side of the house, matching the foundation wall which supports the only part of the house making direct ground contact. 

That sort of curb you see in the middle will be permanent since just past it, water and electric conduits take those utilities into the house. 

You can see the new footings going back to the end.

This photo shows block being layed, and crossing over much of the end.  The new footing connects to the foundation wall, making a closed box.  This makes the entire box structure a single unit, combining the upper retaining wall with the foundation.

We added perf pipe then on the uphill side of that wall, so that water coming down the hill will fall into that pipe, protected by landscape fabric and surrounded by gravel. 

This then drains any excess water past the house and downhill below the house. 

You can see i this photo the wall extended.  In future photos you'll see that end closed and squared, and the wall raised up one block. 

Thanks for reading our blog

Dick and Jim

Upper Retaining Wall Extension - Layout and Dig

Placement of this post may seem odd, but we're representing the wall project from downhill to uphill. 

In this phoot you can see the original upper retaining wall.  All the lower wall structures intersect this wall at three points.  Behind the cameraman and uphill about 3x taller than the house the wall continues along the driveway. 

All of this hold earth above the house, and keeps it more secure from slides. 

The extension of this wall will go past the end of the house in this photo by about 1.5 meters. 

Standing back a little, you can see how this relates to the entry door to the bedroom and laundry level. 

This photo shows prep work on the water supply and electric coming into this house.  It is dropped below the low ground level "wall".  That little step will remain permanently.  We are not going to attempt to level it to the existing concrete.  Rather, it will hold back a small gravel surface that will allow rain water to perk into the earth.  In future photos you'll see that we've arranged for that section to drain, so we've no concerns about water in it.  But the walking surface to the right will just be gravel with cement stepping stones. 

Here you can see most of the excavating done to extend the wall past the house. 

This better photo shows Erazmo and Emelio digging that area out, and carting some of the soil away. 

The Wall - Phase 2 Completed (almost)

Here is the first view of the new "J wall" completed.  At this point, it is finished except for applying stucco to the exterior, and filling it with good soil. 

In this photo you can see the left roof support, plus the center ridge support.  That left support will be cut down to a finished level as part of the roof project to come.  Ultimately there will be a wall on top of these walls (steel and fibrolet) with an entry door in that section on the right side of this photot.

This is viewing the "J Wall" from ninety degrees around the compass from the photo above.  You can see how this wall interesects the original upper retaining wall. 

The cut to the right, most of the way up still needs to be built, and the lower face of the inside planter needs to be done yet.  We'll work out those details when I return in May. 

All of the concrete pavement at an angle to the right of the wall needs to be removed. 

You can see that "J wall" stepping uphill in this photo. 

And here you can see nearly all of that wall finished.  There will be some additional block needed as we finish the upper planter box, but those are details we'll work out in May.  This does a great job though of showing the new "inside" space of this addition.  The other part that this begins to reveal is how much INTO the mountain this house is. 

In a future project, a year or two from now. we'll build a gabian box wall at the lower downhill footings to add more stability to the earth and soil there; and as part of the bodega level buildout to a usable workshop and 1/2 bath.  Another future project we have in mind is "the back deck". 

Thanks for reading this far...  More to come....

Jim and Dick

The Wall - Phase 2 Laying Block

This post shows the block being laid for the curved part of the J wall.  You can see Marlon not only cutting block into short pieces, but leveling as he goes.  The tall sticks of vertical rebar will provide strength for when this area is filled with dirt.

Looking from the other way, you can see Marlon continuing to lay block while Alvarro drills drain holes so that this section discharges water in future rains.  All of this is essential to creating a durable wall.  As you view this, you can all see how they are working up the hill as they go.

Alvarro and Marlon still working on that curved part, but here it is nearly at full height.  You can see the precision they achieved in their slow and deliberate work.  The inside will be filled with good planting soil near the top of the wall. 

Viewed from 90 degrees around them, you can see the outside developing here. 

As they work up to join the original upper retaining wall which you can see on the right side of this photo, you can see Marlon creating steps.  The cut in the concrete below where Marlon is laying block is the section that will form the upper planter box.  They have a good amount of block to lay to form that upper box, which will be considerably taller than the lower one.  We envision planting bamboo in the upper box, which will screen and provide a green foreground to what will be a tall wall behind it. 

  

This shows Marlon working up; actually at a point in block laying prior to the photo above.  He is working over those pipes which carry water and potentially electric downhill for a second structure.







Thanks again for reading!

Dick and Jim

The Wall - Phase 2 Rebar

This first photo shows the very beginnings of rebar going into the start of the "J wall".  The vertical post on the right is the left most outer roof support post (eve edge rather than center ridge).  To the right of that is the entry wall that, at a point, will have a door in it.  The block immediately left of that post is the wall height for the inside garden area. 

The old lower retaining wall that is holding five pieces of tubo and just to the left of the formed area on the left side of the photo will be removed as it no longer serves a function in holding up earth. 

J wall measurements and placement

Alvarro and Marlon spent a good half day working out the radius and block placement options setting up the footings for the curved part of the J.  In the lower right of the photo you can see the top of the block at the entry space, and the steel post the is the outer left roof support post. 

rebar of J wall

This is similar to the prior photo but from  a different angle. 

Here you can see the first part of the rebar basket in place for what will be the upper wall footings. 

Thanks for reading this far, more to come soon. 

Jim and Dick

The Wall - Phase 2 Trenches

This photo shows the trench largely dug out.  If you double click the photo to enlarge it, you'll see a grey and white PVC crossing the trench.  The dark grey one is an empty conduit for pulling power cables to provision power to a second structure "someday".  The white PVC supplies water also for future structure water needs, but also to supply water to an end of drive hose bib. 

This next photo is a closeup shot of the upper end of what used to be the downhill tubo for storm water.  It is concreted closed from above.  You can see that here, but the footings will complete the concrete from here on downhill. 









This final photo shows the partially formed in trench that will become the base of the new retaining wall.  The white and grey pipe has been previously described.  It will remain underground, but for now appears in these photos. 

The Wall - Phase 2 Layout

Now that the lower part of the walls are done, this begins the upper part, that connects the new lower wall into the uppermost retaining wall.  That uppermost wall is along the entire drive, and curves around to the side of the house on the uphill side.

When completed, that span of concrete "driveway" you see in the first photo will be gone, along with the major slip hazard that presented.  If you look closely, you'll see a blue line  across the drive.  This is the approximate position of the outermost (from the house perspective) wall along the driveway.  I call it the "J Wall" on the plans since from the new entryway, it forms sort of a J and then goes uphill from there. 

In this next photo, you can see that blue line gone and now the concrete along the wall path is broken up, and somewhat dug out. 

That concrete "tubo" being stacked against the old "lower retaining wall" is what is underground, and what was disabled in January 2012 as part of rerouting storm water away from this area. 

My Costa Rican workers are at least frugal, and all that tubo will be used to extend the diversion, and provide greater control over the stormwater. 

In this photo, you can see the layout from above, with the tubos still in place. 

This last photo has all of the tubo out of the way, and if yu look closely you can see the bend to form the "J" of the J wall. 

The Wall - Phase 1 Completed!

View of tallest part with buttresses

So you've seen the prep work; and each of the steps leading up to the completion of Phase 1.  We are close to a month ahead of schedule here, and while I was taking these photos, work on Phase two had started. 

This first photo shows the completed lowest wall, with the two butresses that help give them strength. 

Our crew stopped on the buttresses to ask whether we preferred a stepped finish, just filling in the holes with cement; or a smooth angled finish.  Admittedly that nice smooth slope could look very nice.  But steps are easier to finish and won't chip as future earthquakes try to shake it all loose.  So we're finishing the stepped look. 

When the other phases are complete, the block holes at the top will all be filled in and flat. 

View showing emerging entry pad, and drop for stair to bodega

This second photo is just a shift of gaze to the right from the vantage point used to take the photo above.  You can see how there are three steps.  To the left is the parking area level.  To the right, and filled in with sand, is the entry level to the new courtyard.  The shadowed part out to the wall will actually be INSIDE the house. 

The three block step to the right of that forms the bottom of the garden that will be INSIDE the courtyard.  You can see the beginning of the J wall trenches dug. 

The bit of old retaining wall on the right side, that curves, was knocked down the morning after we took these photos. Even after these photos were taken, but before leaving, there was a good amount of progress on Phase 2.

View across courtyard towards entry

Thi photo is just a different perspective of what is covered in the photo above.  You can see the entryway, and how things drop off from there.  Outside the wall where the door will be will be two steps that transition one from parking level to inside the house. 

We debated this whole design feature before executing it.  On one hand, we liked the idea of a higher parking area.  But that would have raised that lowest wall by two blocks and about 50cm; requiring a lot more fill, and associated expense.  Further, that much more material held back would have required additional buttresses for no benefit other than avoiding those two steps to transition from parking to house. 

Finally by having the parking level that much lower, the stairs leading down to the bodega (storage) level can be shorter making access easier long term.  There will be a number of deliveries over time to the bodega, so that ease will be useful long term.

Perspective.  Finished pad level about 7cm below top block

We resommend double clicking this photo since a larger view will make it's intention clear.  You can see the parking wall, and the first buttress helping support it.  But what we are focusing on is the fact that this is stll three concrete blocks taller than the driveway at this point. 

So later on, probably in late April, we will continue this wall to the right and then back so that we form a higher driveway level at this point. 

Perspective, parking pad height on right, entry pad center and lower planter height on left.  Three roof posts surrounded by concrete now.

When understood together, you can see the significance to parking and entry ease this project affords.  In future blogs you'll see the J wall begin to emerge.

Thanks for reading our blog. 

Dick and Jim

The Wall: Phase 1 Block

Part of wall including beginning of the buttress.

Once again, this is more of a photo blog than one with many words, but I'll explain what you're seeing in each.

This section of wall is from the existing driveway downhill towards the house (behind you from this vantage point).  In reality the crew has been building from the lowest footing point towards this, so quite a bit of block has been layed. 

One thing you might notice though is that thinner row of block on the left, two rows below the top.  The crew actually hand saws these blocks to that height.  They've made calculations in their head about what thickness is needed so the wall joins level where you see them connect.  At this point, wall is about half built.

Beginning of T leading to wall under the stair. 

In this photo, much of that wall in the photo above is close to final height; and the crew begins on the T wall that intersects.  They are criss crossing block so that the wall sections are integrated as a single unit for strength. 

This is critical at this point since earthquakes are relatively frequent, and this wall at end will hold up a lot of earth and vehicles. 

Wall leading up to the T going under stair

This is another view of that T intersect wall, now of course looking towards the existing structure.  The three steel galvanized posts you see will be the main roof supports for the roof that will eventually cover this space. 

Photo perspective makes it appear that the post on the right is to the right of the bedroom window you see on the house.  In fact, it lines up several CM to the left of that window when viewed square to the house. 

Tallest part of wall mostly done

This photo shows the wall in the original photo above virtually completed.  As is always the case with photos on this blog series, you can double-left-click on the photo to see it in full sized view.  Take a look now and you can see the series of weep holes from the bottom to about the midpoint on the wall.

These weep holes are another device that ensures this wall is holding just earth (and vehicles) and not becoming a big heavy swimming pool.  They are essential to the stability of the wall.

Note also that while the block appears hollow on top, the crew is filling in every level with cement to the top of the bock before the put on another layer.  So at end, it is a solid concrete wall with rebar through it. 

This is showing the emerging entry retaining wall.  The photo angle is deceiving.  The level in the center is equal to the level at the bottom of the stairs.  Alvarro is working on his calculations to integrate this next section to this wall. 

Behind his left foot is the upper most roof support post, and in future blogs there will be a new wall, I'll refer to as the "J wall" that connects to this wall.  So as part o Alvarro's calculations he is putting in place interconnects so that the J wall is an integral part of the emerging wall system. 

Overall this project was projected to take 6 - 7 weeks.  In fact they were done in about 3 weeks, well ahead of schedule. 

More to come, thanks for reading!

Jim and Dick