Terracotta Tiles
This week progress has been good again. The main thrust of the work has been in fitting the skylights, concrete rendering more of the interior, insulating and then fitting the terracotta tiles to the roof.
The fitting of the skylights was a bit of a surprise: They didn't go quite where I was expecting them. The size was also a little bit of a mystery, compared to the drawings from my architect. However, this always was a sort of vague area, as no specification or dimensions can be found on the plan.
In the end, the builder was led by a few factors:
Placing the skylights at positions allowed by the underlying framework of the roof.
Maintaining structural integrity of the roof.
Availability of standard sizes bearing in mind the above two points.
His previous experience of similar builds.
So, the skylights are not as long as expected - regardless of this the effect is good and a picture below illustrates the view out of one of the windows towards the trees. Nice.
Ah, the trees... these trees separate the house from the old road, mounted on the high bank. In mid-summer the trees will provide some shade and dappling of the light, so the house won't become a greenhouse. Not a problem in the winter, as you can see from the shadows cast by the low sun. Note, this is just when the window was dropped in, and not the finished item, as can be seen by the exposed insulation and unpainted frame.
The placement was not as symmetrical as expected (but all at the same height), although the effect of this is quite pleasing and adds interest - rather than having three skylights evenly spaced apart they are offset somewhat.
As you can see, the skylights are not evenly spaced, but the more I look at this the better it seems - less predictable.
The spacing of the lights on the other side of the house (sea facing) also appear slightly random and are not both centred over the kitchen as expected. Thinking about it though, this is going to give a broader spread of light during the first part of the day.
At the end of the day, it is 'job done', as the holes had been cut and fitting started before I saw the pictures. I will love it whatever. They bring light in effectively and that is the most important thing.
Outside, the approach to the entrance porch, shows the position of the skylights from the exterior. The bank can be seen on the right, making for a sheltered and shaded area to this aspect of the house, keeping the bedroom cool in summer, sheltering from wind in the cooler months and the space between the bank and the house suitable for a parking place. That's the theory at least.
Inside, the concrete rendering has continued: You can see at the bottom right that shuttering has been applied to the entrance lobby wall to block up the temporary window into the bathroom. Looks like gaps under the eaves have also been dealt with. With the roof on and the windows still open the inside has started to dry out.
The tiles being fitted are the traditional style for the island and region in general. They are well proven to resist the elements and high winds that are often experienced in the winter months. This was confirmed by the photo that shows their sturdy nature. Fitting this style of tile harmonises with other older and established properties in the area, an important consideration considering the beauty of the island.
The tiles being laid on top of the membrane that covers the insulation, that covers the wooden frame, that makes the house that Jack built.
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The Brain Zone:
Other practicalities this week have mostly revolved around finances; attention to my pension and 'locating' working cash to fit out the finishing touches to the build.
For anyone thinking of retiring, do not underestimate the time and work needed to collect all the figures in and carefully consider your options. Armed with this you can then run everything past an adviser to see if you have missed anything, like tax liabilities, hidden benefits of alternative strategies... and of course arrive at a firm idea of what your income will be during your retirement.
To help me do this I generated a spreadsheet that allowed me to input my various pension figures and generate different options, calculate tax and give me figures from now until my state pension is payable, lump sums on drawdown and various balances. Great fun. If you're an accountant. Which I am not. QED.
The end result of this is that i have arrived at a figure that leaves me devoid of paying any tax until my state pension is paid at age 66, and even then the sum the taxman will get is quite small. It will leave me enough to buy my Werther's Mints.
The more I look at the build the more I realise that some funding is going to be needed for landscaping and finishing the grounds to be attractive. As well as this, there is the heat pump and log burner to purchase; not in the original scope of the build. So despite the best plans, additional expenditure is going to happen, unless you want to sink the ship for a half-penny of tar.
On the home front, purchases keep coming for fitting out the house to my tastes... a laundry basket, the bedside tables and a pair of bedside rugs being the latest orders. Sometimes it seems never ending, but I am working from a master spreadsheet, so ensuring that I am not just making impulse purchases!
Oh, I love my spreadsheets....
As an aside, this speadsheet also gives me a total of everything I'm shipping for insurance purposes. This is sickeningly frightening. The figure is £76,000. It must be said, this is a comprehensive list and even includes the bottle opener in the kitchen drawer. But still....
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Additionally, I've been playing with Chief Architect to see the effect of decorating various walls in different colours. Shades of Grey anyone?
Seriously, the main walls are largely brilliant white, and the beams are to be highlighted somewhat in poppy red. So the decision is just on a couple of walls to provide some contrast. Grey can help tie everything together, especially with some bright yellow highlights being present in the sofa and lamp shades...
It's going to be bold for sure, but should also be harmonious - basically white and grey walls, plenty of glass, with highlights provided by red and yellow primaries and black worktops. The renders are looking good:
Playing with renders. Colourful but harmonised. No doubt more iterations will follow before I get to the decision stage. The sofa has yet to be ordered, as have the breakfast bar lights; some flexibility exists, but I do like the yellow leather.
Standing by the hob, this render shows the dining area at the back of the kitchen and the view towards the entrance lobby. To get an idea of scale, each tile is 600mm square... these renders sometimes distort how large a space is. Remember this is a cool pad for a single guy (me) or a couple... despite that, the 100 square meters indoors is more than most UK homes, add the large decked area, mezzanine and under-house area and...well yes, it is large for its intended purpose.
Finally for this weeks blog, I have turned my attention to the mezzanine area; the studio kit and how to lay it out.
The mezzanine has three functions:
It is a studio space, meaning that my musical kit doesn't clutter up the rest of the house - all that technology can go up there and not spoil the reasonably minimal feel of the living area. It's a hobby space.
It is a guest sleeping area, as there will be a futon. Great for someone who wants to stay after having a glass of wine too many, or of course any visitors.
It is a secondary gaming area / snug and creative space. There is a screen and a computer / console, a work-table plus an extra sofa. In the winter months it may well be warmer upstairs and provide a snug place to hang out.
My initial intention for the studio was to put a purpose made desk and office chair, along with my studio monitors and equipment. The desk (very large) and chair looked expensive...
For many years I have worked "on the floor" - this means having all my synthesisers, computers and modules mounted at low height, so I can sit in front of them on a floor cushion. I have this feeling that it keeps me young. Y'know, you have to get down and get up, other than just slumping in a chair and becoming the musical equivalent of a couch potato.
So, I thought to myself, just because I am retiring, I don't need to get lazy. As I get older, it is for sure harder to get up and down to be cross legged in front of my kit... but up until my accident I could always go from sitting cross legged to standing and vice-versa without needing to lever myself up! So, I can't do that anymore... but it sure is good for the body to be up and down on the floor. I reckon.
So with this in mind, I have dispensed with the desk and office chair. I have planned everything to be low level:
A great place to make music, as long as you enjoy sitting directly on the floor. Suits me.
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Next up: Works Continue...
