Hill House - far south coast

Steve · May 25, 2011 11:28 pm

Large, yes we are living in the van full time, it is not so bad (kind of cosy), it's been a few years now... it has taught us that we don't need so much to be happy

We have a lovely view and tend to look out rather than in, it is pretty peaceful. We built a functional bathroom/toilet//laundry shed before moving onto the block, very good move and it has served us very well. We then built the carport so the van was under cover; this removes the highs and lows of temperature, keeps the rain off (our old van was a bit leaky) and gave us some flat outdoor space. We then had mains power (started with a Generator) and got the tank/water on and an outdoor kitchen'. If I had my time over I would come up with a better kitchen arrangement, it gets tough cooking outside when it is cold, rainy &/or wet. A gas BBQ is a good thing to have too. I think if you have kids van living would not work so well but there is just the 2 of us and we are very close (literally :lol:

). It has saved us a heap of money that has helped keep us debt free thus far. I miss having a proper kitchen and my leather couch to stretch out on but hopefully that is only a few months away

Mclaren, thank you so much for such lovely feedback again. It certainly is not for everyone to build in such a hands on way but we do feel very lucky to be able to live the life we choose rather than the life we have to live, I guess that is the dream

All our houses here are different and it is brilliant that we all share our varied experiences.

Steve

Large · May 26, 2011 1:05 pm

Sounds like the journey is going to be just as good as the result Steve. I have intentions of doing something similar (bush block/van setup) and glad to see that it can be done.

Steve · Jun 30, 2011 9:47 pm

Well despite being 'back at work' I have managed to push on with a little more work on the first pavilion over weekends etc. Winter makes it hard to find extra time before or after work. Since my last post I've had my friend Bruno (the Sparky) come through and complete the first fit of all the electrical. Very happy with the outcome, all the standard electrical stuff plus wiring for full LED lighting, a green circuit that shuts down 3 separate standby clusters, my funky Bose system stuff and allowance for the next two pavilions. He did a lovely tidy job, although it looks a mess in this pic :-)

.
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr164/Fishdejour/house10/IMG_1499.jpg

I finished installing the small triangular windows to the topsides of the front. Finalised installation of the big mid beams and then fitted the top awning windows, which was quite a job as they were heavy and 3.5 meters off the floor.... I hung the side doors to the other 2 pavilions, I am not so confident at hanging doors and the extra weight of the double glazing made it harder than usual, they are terrific doors though. I have started trimming in the various joins and sealing the ceiling cavity, finishing more timber (a never ending job that has eaten a lot of time). That pretty much got me up to this morning.
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr164/Fishdejour/house10/IMG_1661.jpg

I took today off and organised 3 of my mates to help me install the front double-glazing panels. Hell of a job as each of the 10 panels weighed about 130kg and was 3.2m high x 1.5m wide. We had a great run and managed to install 8 of the 10 panels. Unfortunately we ran out of daylight

I was a little disappointed not to finish it but my fantastic mates decided they would all come back next Tuesday to finish it off with me so this first pavilion will be watertight!! I am so lucky to have such lovely friends. I will post a pic with the glass in tomorrow, it looks soooo different

Steve

kayandandy · Jun 30, 2011 9:55 pm

That Steve is truly beautiful. It just looks so peaceful. Keep the pics coming.
K

Steve · Jun 30, 2011 10:12 pm

Thank you Kay, you are always so lovely and positive

It is a truely peaceful spot, surounded with green hills. Here is one from yesterday arvo through the windows down our lovely valley

http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr164/Fishdejour/house10/IMG_1659.jpg

Steve

kayandandy · Jun 30, 2011 11:38 pm

OMG and I thought the other pics were beautiful. That looks like South Africa. I cant even begin to imagine how gorgeous that will be to wake up to every morning. I say invest in a fab bed and a big fluffy dooner .... I would never leave my bed with a view like that!

FAncy doing a house swap one day? ::lol::

Mclaren · Jul 01, 2011 9:19 am

Thanks for the update Steve - love following your build. What a view ...... ::kissed::

thegilbeys · Jul 01, 2011 9:37 am

What a view! I've just found your thread and am super impressed with your skill and patience! I look forward to following it to completion.

Steve · Jul 01, 2011 10:19 am

Thank you for all your generous comments

Here is the 'after' shot with the glass panels in (they really need a clean!!), as I said, the last two panels on the side will go in Tuesday...
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr164/Fishdejour/house10/IMG_1674.jpg

other side...
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr164/Fishdejour/house10/IMG_1669.jpg
There is a variable pitch solar pergola going off the mid beam between the large panels and awning windows, this will shade the windows in summer preventing heat gain but will allow full solar access in winter for warming. The variable pitch shade blades will allow degrees of shade in spring and autumn for heating or cooling as required.

A pic of the house site and farm from a distance
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr164/Fishdejour/house10/IMG_1682.jpg

I almost forgot to mention, I went auctioning again and picked up enough beautiful hardwood 125 x 12 VJ lining boards to do the entire house (all 3 pavilions) for .97 cents a LM!!! I love auctions when it's cold and windy and no one shows up.

Steve

Mclaren · Jul 01, 2011 10:39 am

Gorgeous - you bargain hunter!!

Steve · Jul 07, 2011 9:14 am

Got the last 2 large window panels in on Tuesday, so we are officially 'water tight

Steve

Mclaren · Jul 07, 2011 9:21 am

Must have been a great feeling and given you a wonderful sense of achievement!! Well done Steve

pattycake4 · Jul 07, 2011 9:28 am

What a beautiful place to live,I would love to wake up to that view

Steve · Aug 04, 2011 12:33 pm

With most of my time being taken filling the piggy bank, the building is a little on hold at the moment. I have been doing a few little jobs here and there, but have been mostly busy organising what I need for the final push to finish this pavilion before Christmas (this coming one... :-)

). I have finally retired the plank that has been my access and started installing the entry steps (platforms). I had some frames welded up and galvanised and have set them into concrete pads, into each frame I am fitting 4 lengths of rustic old bridge beams (no high heels on these). These beams came from the old Bombala Bridge that was pulled down years ago, they are about 60 to 80 years old and still very solid and stupidly heavy (forest redgum). I managed to kill my drop saw cutting the first lot (it is in being repaired). I intend to sand the tops and then just let them grey off to match the greyed decking.

http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr164/Fishdejour/house10/IMG_1730.jpg

As soon as I get my drop saw back I will finish these off and may even do a little landscaping around them to get it going for spring. I have a few more weeks of real work to finish then I will be getting back on the tools for the final push.

Steve

thegilbeys · Aug 04, 2011 10:02 pm

That'll look great when it's all landscaped!

SunshineT · Aug 07, 2011 3:07 pm

Hi Steve! Thanks for the tip about your thread - excited to have a read. Just started (and wow what gorgeous views) but my DD has just woken so will return again soon. I see a few other H1 regulars on here - hi guys!

Will be watching with interest...T

rocketship · Aug 12, 2011 11:42 am

Hi Steve,

AMAZING!! What a view & what a fantastic home you are building... hats off to you...

I have been reading posts the last few months but finally got myself onto the forum... I have to say of all the homes on this forum, yours impresses me the most... in so many ways.

Oh & I love your platform entry steps... I'm stealing that idea!

Steve · Aug 12, 2011 11:41 pm

Thank you for such positive feeback Rocketship, I am glad that your enjoying my building process and the house so far (I sometime wonder if I do :lol:

) I'm pleased that you found ideas worth stealing

I am hoping to get the platforms finished this weekend, I will post a pic when I get them done.

Steve

Steve · Sep 15, 2011 9:57 am

The last few months have been money focussed so not much building has been done but now spring is here I am taking off a few months to try push on and get this first pavilion finished, so there should be a few more updates and a bit of progress over the next couple of months.

I finally got my broken drop saw back from repair which allowed me to finish up cutting the big bridge timbers needed to complete the entry 'steps'. I still have to clean them up (wire brush) then we will let them grey off to match the look of the deck.
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr164/Fishdejour/house10/P1010004.jpg

http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr164/Fishdejour/house10/P1010003.jpg

I managed to load in all the lining boards that I picked up a while ago and have started lining a few double sided walls, they are much nicer to work with than Gyprock and I love the look of lining boards on walls and ceilings. Having got them for a very good price they ended up being only a $1 a square meter more than gyprock! Being 12mm hardwood they will last well and resist impact damage etc. I am happy to have avoided using gyprock in the main living areas. The lining boards are lovely timber but we are painting them with one of the Porters egg shell finish whites as we already have enough polished timber in the house.
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr164/Fishdejour/house10/P1010006.jpg

Not much else has happened with the house but we finally (after a 2 year wait) got a start on our driveway. The last few days have been very busy with 5 big yellow road building machines digging , scrapping and gouging a 450-meter drive up our steep hill to the house. It will take about another week to complete but will make the world of difference to accessing the house on the hill, mmmmm bitumen :-)

I just have to sell my soul and a kidney to pay for it :::

http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr164/Fishdejour/house10/P1010024.jpg

http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr164/Fishdejour/house10/P1010017.jpg

Stay tuned, the next few weeks will be fun, Solar hot water will be installed next week, kitchen and bathroom stuff is about to happen, LED lights are on the way and I will be lining and insulating like a madman (well madder than usual).... we even ordered a 3.6m bespoke dinning table to go with the new dinning room (recycled timber of course)!!

Steve

Pauankim · Sep 15, 2011 4:14 pm

Love your work Steve absolutely stunning... The quality & craftsmanship is impressive as is the location!! Will be following your progress & eagerly awaiting the next installment, very inspiring

We too are looking at taking the OB path or tho not as hands on as you, we could only but wish to have the skill involved for that

Am interested in finding out more about what your doing with your driveway if thats ok? We have a steep 100mtr plus mess we have to sort out esp with drainage as living in the sub tropics access can be a nightmare in the wet season.

Cheers
Kim