Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum Re: EcoStay building project 85Aug 20, 2019 8:45 am With the outside walls now complete, we've been working on the mud plaster finish of the internals walls. Also built the stud walls for the bathroom Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ and pantry. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ But my favorite is this wall behind the fireplace. It's built from hollow concrete blocks filled with concrete and is 6m high, running from downstairs right up to the ceiling on the top level. It serves to support the heavy fireplace and the solar hot water system on the roof. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ We've gathered up some nice granite from the paddock and will build a plinth for the fire place and clad all the concrete, right to the ceiling. Re: EcoStay building project 86Aug 31, 2019 10:01 pm Re: EcoStay building project 87Sep 05, 2019 12:11 am Our new build Eco Stay and previous builds Art Studio are being promoted during this year's Sustainable House Day. So, if you're interested to have a look, book for a free tour and check it all out. Sunday Sept 15th. Sustainable House Day Re: EcoStay building project 88Oct 08, 2019 9:26 pm The fireplace plinth is now complete. Very pleased with the result and it provides much valuable thermal mass right where we need it. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ There's plumbing inside the wall to connect the hot water system to the fireplace. At the top of the wall are two vents that will pipe warm air into the bathroom behind this wall. We've also completed the stud wall in the kitchen complete with recess and ventilation for the stove. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ And the pantry wall / doorway. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: EcoStay building project 89Oct 19, 2019 2:33 pm Re: EcoStay building project 90Nov 21, 2019 10:10 pm Re: EcoStay building project 92Nov 23, 2019 8:17 am Thanks Amilelka. One of the great benefits of actually doing all the work yourself is that you can constantly modify and customise every single aspect to suit your hearts desires as you progress. So rather than having to pre-plan all aspects prior to commencement we can see how things feel and fit and modify to suit as we go. We can also take great advantage of materials we come across (such as specials or recycled items) along the way and make changes to include them. This is our stair hand rail made from an old awesome newel post someone gave us and a branch from a lemon scented gum growing in the paddock. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: EcoStay building project 94Dec 09, 2019 8:21 pm Re: EcoStay building project 95Dec 30, 2019 10:28 pm Attached to the back of the house will be a studio space (somewhat larger than the house). Now that summer is well and truly upon us we've gone back to the mudpit and we're making more mudbricks. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ And building the walls in the studio. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ We're using some recycled doors, on their side, as windows. Re: EcoStay building project 97Jan 04, 2020 4:46 pm Working on the west wall of the studio now. A few years ago a friend gave us a round jarrah window frame. We've been looking for a spot to fit it into the build and this is it! This is a 3.5m high wall and the window is just 800mm in diameter so we were worried it would be dwarfed by the sheer size of the wall. So we've created a mudbrick feature around the window. With some measurements and calculations we created a special mudbrick mould that would make a keystone shaped mudbrick and made enough mudbricks to encircle the window. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Laying them around the window was quite a challenge as they are tapered inwards as well as from side to side. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ But the end result exceeded our expectations. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Not sure yet what we'll glaze it with, we'll see how it feels once the rest of the studio is built. Re: EcoStay building project 98Mar 28, 2020 8:33 pm Well, the rest of the studio is now built. It used a lot more mudbricks than originally anticipated due to sizes of doors, windows etc. But the weather has been good for making more, so no problem there. The internal walls have been plastered with white clay, the stone wall backing the fire place has been built and we've polished the concrete floor to reveal the glass we added when it was poured. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Just got to complete a bit of trim work around the ceiling and windows, fit the doors and a couple of bits of glass. It's a beautiful space, light, airy, with high ceilings and right there at the back of the house. Re: EcoStay building project 100Apr 05, 2020 8:53 pm We've fitted all the doors to the studio area and it has transformed the area into rooms. That might sound obvious but previously it felt more like a shed . Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ These double sliders are the front doors leading into the studio proper. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ This door with awesome side panels leads from the studio into the tool-room. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Then these two are the back doors leading out from the tool-room. They open right out against the wall to give good access in and out of the tool-room. All these doors are recycled, we've been collecting them for some years now. So good to see them back in use once again. Following these simple steps will help you mitigate unwanted costs, have your expectations met and give… 0 4716 As a tradesmen get a private inspector although I don't think there worth it in their profession themselves the reminder they serve to the tradesmen doing the work is… 3 27756 Thank you so much everyone. This all makes a lot of sense. I guess when you talk to a builder who butters up everything to look very polished, you get to start believing… 7 19601 |