Roof
Tiling and a Whole Lot More With Some Great Photos of the View
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.
Tile is going in the kitchen area of the main room and on the marciapiede that surrounds the house.
The terrazza tile is done, and the views from the terrazza looking southwest are wonderful.
Inside, the stone wall is grouted and the heating control box is connected to the underfloor tubes.

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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.
Source:
All images: Copyright © Our Big Italian Adventure
A Lot of Exterior Work Roof Sections, Grading, and Terra Armata
Nearly all the smaller roof sections are complete. All that remains are those near the upstairs terrazza on the north side of the house. Also, the solar and photovoltaic panels are installed. Anne is happy that they won’t really be visible, even from behind the house, given our slope.

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The slope in front is looking much better after more grading and soil movement.

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Behind the house, grading and terra armata installation work continues.

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One important remaining issue is drainage. Given our slopes, we want to be sure rain water won’t run down the hill and into the house or the pool. I suggested some drains connected to underground pipes to channel the water away. Kevin has asked Francisc to look at that and at other drainage options.
Here are the slope and roof pictures.
Source:
All images: Copyright © Our Big Italian Adventure
Starting Another Round of Earthmoving Plus Some Interior and Roof Work
I can’t say earthmoving is my favorite topic, but I’d bet it’s the one I’ve written most about, given that it’s caused a lot of headaches and expenses.
- In the post Positioning the House from November 7, 2016, describing our decision on house placement within the property — in retrospect, the cause of all the rest.
- In Excavation Begins from November 29, 2016, with pictures of some initial earthmoving.
- In Lots of Earth to Move and Add from March 29, 2017, showing grading work around the house.
- In Extending the Land Terraces from March 31, 2017, with pictures showing some of the grading behind the house down toward the pool.
- In Working to Tame the Hillside from April 3, 2017, where Kevin lays out the situation and offers some ideas. Here’s when the problem became clear.
- In A House in a Hole? from April 7, 2017, showing and describing the sense of the house disappearing behind the earth piled in front up the hill.
- In Buying More Land? from May 12, 2017, talking about how additional land might help solve the problems.
- In Oh, My! The Slope is Steep in Front! from May 28, 2017, showing pictures of the situation in front of the house.
- In Oh, My! The Slope is Steep in Back! from May 29, 2017, describing the problem behind the house and possible solutions.
- In A Proposal to Address the Slope in Front from June 18, 2017, showing Alessandra’s design for the uphill side and access down the driveway.
- In Land Slope Redux from July 20, 2017, recapping our on site visit to discuss the method for earth stabilization and an alternative idea for car parking placement.
Again, we’ve started to move earth to work on reshaping the slope, for better access from up the hill, for appearance as you approach the house, and for functionality and pool access on the downhill side. I hope this time we’ll get to something workable. Whatever happens, it’s probably the best we can do without more land.

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Other Progress
We also received some pictures showing more work on the roof sections, more work on the underfloor heating, and the bathtub being delivered.

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Here are a few more shots.
Source:
All images: Copyright © Our Big Italian Adventure
A Little Here, A Little There Portico, Roof, and Stone Wall
Today’s pictures show progress in a few places around the house.
Portico
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.

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Click image to enlarge
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.
Interior Stone Wall
Part of one wall of the main room is going to be covered in stone. The stone setting for this element has nearly been finished.

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Here is the photo gallery.
Source:
All images: Copyright © Our Big Italian Adventure
Roof Tiling Progress And Some Interior Work
Despite the temperatures that have regularly exceeded 40°C (104°F) and reached at least 43°C (109°F), they have been continuing to work on, of all things, the roof. You have to admire our crew’s commitment and perseverance.
They have completed the tiling of the main roof on the front side of the house. It’s great how they used older tiles for the top layer, giving the house an older look.

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I think work now moves to the back side, where the solar and photovoltaic panels will be. That may be a longer process, and even more in the afternoon sun, being on the west side. Fortunately, the heat is supposed to subside, at least a little bit: only one day over 35°C (95°F) during the upcoming week.
Work is also continuing inside, installing window and door frames.
Source:
All images: Copyright © Our Big Italian Adventure