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