Portico

It’s been about 3 weeks since we received any photos. Anne asked Kevin if work was progressing, and he responded with a bundle of photos showing a lot of different projects underway.

The front of the house is looking very nice. Work is continuing on the retaining wall up the hill.

Front from Kitchen Side
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Base of the Retaining Wall
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Tile is going in the kitchen area of the main room and on the marciapiede that surrounds the house.

Tile Along the Back
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The terrazza tile is done, and the views from the terrazza looking southwest are wonderful.

From Terrazza Looking Uphill — Terrazza and Roof Tile
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Southwest from the Terrazza
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Inside, the stone wall is grouted and the heating control box is connected to the underfloor tubes.

Interior Stone Wall Grouted
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Underfloor Heating Pipe Connections
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Also, the interior is being prepped for painting, some of the bathroom fixtures are in, and utility connection boxes have been set in the ground outside.

Here are all the photos of the various projects underway.

Front from Kitchen Side

Looking Across the Front

Looking North

Looking West

Retaining Wall

Looking Up to Retaining Wall

Rubble to Backfill Retaining Wall

Marciapiede Before Tiling

Tile Along the Back

Tile Outside French Doors

Working on Marciapiede Tile

Tiling Near Master Bedroom

Tile on Portico

Kitchen Tile

From Terrazza Looking Uphill

Terrazza Tiled

Roof Near Terrazza

Southwest from the Terrazza

Looking Southwest

Hills and Mountains

Interior Stone Wall Grouted

Heating Pipe Connections

Underfloor Heating Connections

Utility Room Connections

Ceiling Upstairs

Upstairs Bathtub and Shower Base in Place

Shower Tray in Master Bath

Windows Ready for Room Painting

Front Bedroom Prepped for Painting

Exterior Utility Connection Boxes

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Source:
All images: Copyright © Our Big Italian Adventure

Windows and Doors Installed Portico Finished

Ed Building a House October 9, 2017October 11, 2017Construction, Exterior, Portico, Windows and doors

All of a sudden, the windows and door are installed. We saw pictures of them being delivered just a couple of days ago, and now it looks like they are all in place. With the roof sections done and the windows in, it really looks like a house.

Rear with Doors Installed
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Also, the portico is finished and looks good.

Door to the Portico
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Now it’s time to get some insurance on the house. Kevin is working to arrange it.

The photo gallery:

Kitchen Window

South Side

Terrazza

Terrazza with Door Installed

Kitchen Door

Rear with Doors Installed

Portico Complete

Door to the Portico

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Source:
All images: Copyright © Our Big Italian Adventure

Earth Being Moved, Portico and Terrazza Being Built

Ed Building a House September 21, 2017September 21, 2017Exterior, Land, Landscape, Portico, Terrace

Making the Hill Less Steep in Front
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Moving an Olive Tree
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Beam Across Portico Columns
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Cement for Roof on top of Poroton — Cement for Roof on Top of Poroton
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Work is continuing to try to address that bugaboo land slope issue. Kevin reports that the situation seems much improved. It’s almost impossible to tell from pictures, as we can’t assess the steepness of the slopes or the width of the land terraces very well. However, it looks better in front of the house, but I’m not yet sure if they are building land terraces with a descending path at one side or with a path that “snakes” across the slope.

As part of this work, they’ve needed to relocate some olive trees from the front of the house. They are supposed to be very hardy, but on our last visit I noted a few transplants that looked pretty sickly. We will hope for the best.

Since the portico columns are now built and faced with stone and brick, they are adding the beams to support the roof. The main cross beams and the side beam are in place. Next should come some cross beams and the support structure for the roof.

Also, they are working on building the top floor terrazza and the small roof sections that cover the ground floor areas that aren’t under the main roof. There is also a “false” peaked roof that is above the flat ceiling in the kitchen. The construction of these roof sections is just like that of the main roof: Poroton blocks, rebar, and concrete.

Here’s the whole photo album.

Digging Out the Slope in Front

Making the Hill Less Steep in Front

Major Reshaping Work

Working on First Level Above the House

Partially Complete Front Slope

Moving an Olive Tree

Lifting the Olive Tree

Olive Tree Move in Progress

Olive Tree Removed

Soil from Digging Out Olive

Digging to Replant an Olive

Digging Behind House Underway

Portico Column with Pool Behind

Portico Column and View Across Valley

Beam Across Portico Columns

Portico Beams from Above

Portico Beam in Place

Terrazza Floor Ready for Concrete

Concrete for the Terrazza Floor

Terrazza

Putting Poroton in Place for Roof Section

Cement for Roof on Top of Poroton

Preparing a Roof Joint

Finishing Roof Structure and Wall Above Kitchen

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Source:
All images: Copyright © Our Big Italian Adventure

Pool, Portico, Plaster, and Pavimento Plenty of Progress

Ed Building a House September 7, 2017September 12, 2017Construction, Exterior, Flooring, Interior, Portico, Walls

Today’s photos show a smorgasbord of progress on the exterior and interior.

The application of the waterproof sealant for the pool has begun.

Working to Seal the Pool Concrete
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The columns that will support the portico roof have been poured and faced with stone and brick.

Finished Portico Columns
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Plaster work progresses on the top floor walls.

Guest Room Plaster
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The base layer of the pavimento (flooring) is being put in place. It’s a molded structure that will hold the underfloor heating pipes.

Study with Underfloor Heating Base
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Here’s the assortment of pictures.

Portico Column Being Faced

Finished Portico Columns

Pool Sealant Being Applied

Working to Seal the Pool Concrete

Ready to Plaster in Emma's Room

Emma's Room Toward Hall

Guest Room Plaster

Guest Room Toward Hall

Plaster at Top of Stairs

Underfloor Heating Base Layer in Main Hall

Working on Main Floor Base Layer

Study with Underfloor Heating Base

Underfloor Heating Base in Study

Looking Toward Downstairs Bath

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A Little Here, A Little There Portico, Roof, and Stone Wall

Ed Building a House August 28, 2017August 26, 2017Construction, Exterior, Interior, Portico, Roof, Walls

Today’s pictures show progress in a few places around the house.

Since the portico has supporting pylons and columns, we’ve been surprised that these weren’t dug and built when the house foundation was being prepared. I’m guessing that maybe these elements would have been in the way of building and finishing the main part of the house.

Now it is time for this work to commence.

Bore Ready for Support Steel
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Inserting Portico Support Steel
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Roof

Two small steps were taken toward finishing all the roof sections. The photo-voltaic panels, which go on the back of the main roof were delivered, and the underlay for the partial roof elements is being put in place.