Next step on the journey after the ventilation pipes, was the batten installation in the ceilings and walls to create a service void. We used a double batten in ceilings to allow the 85mm vent pipes to pass through and 35mm on the walls. We will weave our wiring through the battens when we get to the electrical first fix. Every step has a sequence and we’re gradually learning the optimum timing to bring in each trade. Sometimes it feels like ‘just in time construction’ as we realise an item needs to be brought forward, before the next trade comes in. We are still at the infrastructure building stage, although much of this work won’t be seen, it still needs to be spot on. More credit to @irishecohomes for making each step in the timber frame journey seem easy and making battens look good!
There are so many activities happening at the moment, I have less time to reflect on the process and keep up with sharing posts. Sometimes I feel like we’re building someone else’s house, as my head is so focused trying to get all the details right. I have to pinch myself when I realise it will be our home. Sometimes in the evening, when we’re doing some site cleaning (full disclosure, Cian does 98% of this), I think about pottering around our home, going through the motions of daily life. It also helps to bring the family to site to remind me what we’re doing it for. Malin had her first site visit a couple of weeks ago, and it felt great to show her around. It’s not easy building with small children in tow, but we have been really blessed with such a happy and healthy baby. Someday I’ll tell her how she helped mommy and daddy build our home. Although a little more sleep would be ace too.
At the moment, I find it hard to decide on furnishing and finishes, as we are still in the trenches trying to make a good piece of architecture and a well-made house. I’m happy to grow into the space over time and find the furniture that is right for us, without having the stress of getting all the infrastructure right at the same time. There definitely won’t be second chance to get this critical stage right.
Rendered façade
We have two teams on site working on the Façade, the cement board is been installed be Darren Walsh and we are using a Baumit silicon top render system. Baumit offer a fantastic range of colours in their life range, but this is also a challenge trying to make a decision on a colour. I swear the builders had thought I lost it this week walking around the house at least 5 times, looking at the render sample from different angles.
