We are documenting each day on the construction of an architectural home. This is the work from weeks 12 and 13
Aluminium windows are being fitted into the timber frame before bricklaying is done. The commercial aluminium frames are are basically 100 X 50 mm rectangles. In the past aluminium was a significant source of heat gain in a building as heat was transmittedthrough the frames. On a moderately warm day west facing frames would be uncomfortably hot to touch. These modern frames are thermally improved.
A public holiday falls during this week and everyone gets a long weekend. The first six months in Melbourne can see as many as six long weekends depending on the timing of Easter. It makes construction planning tough.
My site offices arrives on site. With the frame complete we turn our attention to lock up tasks on the building. This involves claddings, bricklayer and roofing. Our regular site meeting with the architect and client discusses hydronic layout , electrical power point and switches and air conditioning.
Cavity sliding pockets are fitted in preparation for plaster. Polystyrene cladding is fitted over some windows, which will have a render finish to match the adjacent brickwork. Bricklayer is on site doing the veneer skin. The timber frame support the brick skin which is not widely known. He gets paid $1.20 a brick, which whilst it is good money is very hard on the body. Stone for the fireplace is ordered by the cubic metre and tipped off a truck. With dry stack work we will get 3 face metres of finished stone wall from each cubic metre stone.
The end of a month falls during the week so I spend a day paing bills. This is the reality of a small business. Plumber is doing his pipe work rough in. He fits all the water pipes and mixers that will live in the walls. The pipework is left charged with water under pressure so if we puncture a pipe hopefully we will see the leak as early as possible.
The next items I plan for are storm water and sewer drains, plasterer, electrician, insulation, renderer and cabinets. Plasterer is on site fitting battens to lasered height. This will make fitting insulation and electrical wiring easier. We bring some excess soil to site to lift the carport floor level. This floor level is built above the possible height of a 1 in 100 year flood.
