Main house construction underway

After a very long delay on this project due to weather, things are finally once again moving along at scheduled pace. The rainy season this year lasted a lot longer than normal and the effect it had on this project was significant.   The heavy rain made it impossible for the pile driver to move around on the site and complete all of the piles.   Frustratingly, we had only been waiting for a break in the rain for four clear days so that the ground would be firm enough for the pile driver to drive the remaining small number of piles, but alas for many weeks it was not to be.   Finally, however, at the end of last month the rains stopped, at least in this region and we were underway again.   Since then, we have excavated the pile heads, pried the concrete footings that sit on top of the piles also the columns that join these footings to the ground floor beams.   We have also prepared all of the steel work for the ground floor beams and completed all shuttering, in preparation for the concrete pour that will be happening today.





Phen - 3 Bedroom House No. 1

We are now into the construction phase of this project in Phen.  Our clients originally contacted us with an interest in another project that they had seen on our blog, the 2 bedroom home in Fao Rai. However, they wanted to adapt it to suit their needs.   We worked with them to modify the design a little to give a three bedroom layout amongst some other minor changes.   Work began on construction at the end of October and we have now completed the structural framework and cast the floor slab.   We will now begin work on the roof structure and walls.



 



 













Concrete frame work complete, now on to walls and roof

The last time I posted about this project, we had just poured the footings, as I recall.   Since then we have completed all of the rest of the concrete structural framework and installed the precast slabs for the first floor and poured the concrete floor topping. I am sorry to report, however, that since this point we have been experiencing some unforeseen delays and our schedule has slipped somewhat.  Among the issues that we have faced are the following.   This house was to use the same thermally insulating building blocks that we have used on a number of our other projects.   However, the factory where they are made has been affected by the extensive flooding that there has been in Thailand and in fact has been forced to close.  The impact of this on the project was that we were unable to source enough blocks for the build.  In fact, we only had enough to complete most of the ground floor walls.   We have since agreed with the client that we shall use conventional bricks for the second floor, though in a double layer with a cavity in the middle for improved insulation.  Roof tiles that were supposed to have been delivered some time ago have also been delayed as a result of the flooding, however, they will at least be arriving shortly.  We have also been delayed in completing the second floor pre-cast slab and topping layer due to a supplier issue and them not having the correct pre-cast slabs prepared.  We will, however, be taking delivery of the correct slabs in the next couple of days.   Our specialist roofing team will be arriving on site in Monday to complete the roof frame and tiling.













 

 

Work completed on another project

Some time ago we complete our work on this modern two bedroom home.   As mentioned in my previous posts about this project, we were only contracted to carry out the main building construction, painting and bathroom tiling and fitting.  Tiling of the rest of the house, all carpentry and window fitting etc... was to be carried by another contractor to the client.  As such, despite our work being completed, the house still looks rather unfinished in the pictures.   I shall, however, try to post some pictures of the fully finished home, with the owners permission.

Phen - 3 Bedroom Home Design (No.2)

We have completed the design and engineering phase for a new three bedroom home in Phen, which is about half way between Nong Khai and Udon Thani.   This is one of two such projects in Phen, though with this project, the precise location has not yet been finalised as there the client is still considering a number of options for the plot on which to build.  As such, the design may well be subject to slight modification in order to fit properly into its setting.