Project: Haad Kham - 3 Bedroom Home
Posted By Alec on November 26, 2011
We have recently begun work on the design of a three bedroom home that is to be built in Haad Kham later this year. Our clients had an initial concept as a starting point and we are now working with them to develop this concept into a final design.
Project: Phen - 3 Bedroom home No.1
Posted By Alec on November 26, 2011
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.
Project: Nong Wua So - 3 Bedroom Home
Posted By Alec on September 21, 2011
We are currently a fee days behind schedule on this project due to the bad weather we have been having in the area recently. Fortunately the site has not suffered from the flooding that there has been in some other areas in the region, but nevertheless, the rain has still had an impact. However, we have now completed all of the first stage columns and are up to ground level. Today an excavator back filled all of the footing holes, so moving forward with the project, the rain should be less of an issue. Tomorrow we will begin to install the steel cages for the grade beams, which we have been preparing under cover during the rain.
Project: Modern 2 Bedroom 2 Storey Home (Thip Thani)
Posted By Alec on August 19, 2011
The plot on which our latest modern two storey home is to be built, in Thip Thani, had an existing concrete framework which needed to be removed. The structure was basically a complete concrete column and beam framework for a 2 storey home, up to roof level. This had stood unfinished for at least 5 years. In theory, this framework could have been filled in with brick walls, a roof added and then all of the finishing work carried out to give a complete home. The problem would first have been that one would be limited on the layout of the house to that already defined by the column and beam positioned. The second more serious problem, is that the internal structure of the columns and beams is a complete un-known. What size re-bar has been used? How deep are the footings? What strength concrete mix has been used? It is for this reason, that I personally would never undertake such a project and why all of this existing structure had to be removed. In actual fact, I would say that it quickly became clear that this was the right decision. The footings were clearly too shallow and too small and the re-bar used was totally unacceptable. Re-bar is the steel that puts the ‘re-enforced’ into ‘re-enforced concrete’. The steel re-bar used to make the cages that provide reinforcement to the columns and beams should look like that in the second picture below – a round steel bar with an almost screw like, or gnarled appearance. These gnarls provide grip to the steel bars within the concrete, binding the steel and concrete together firmly. The contractors we used to demolish the old structure were also extracting all of the metal re-bar from the concrete for recycling. This gave us a good opportunity to inspect the re-bar used. We found that ALL of the rebar used was not what we expected, but rather a completely smooth round section, as shown in the third photo. Using this type of steel significantly reduces the integrity of the structure and has only been used here in an attempt to cut corners and save money by the original builder. In addition to this, the diameter of the steel bar was also smaller than one would expect. With the evidence from the re-bar and footings, I would also not be surprised to find that the concrete used was also of a cheaper, lower strength.
Construction of the new home is to begin in around a months time, though a firm date has not yet been set.
Project: Amoon on the Mekong
Posted By Alec on August 15, 2011
We have built up a temporary access ramp up to the raised area of land on which the house will be built. This is to provide access for the piling crane and other heavy machinery.
Project: Nong Wua So - 3 Bedroom Home
Posted By Alec on August 15, 2011
We have recently completed the initial concept design for a three bedroom two storey home which is to be built in Nong Wua So, near Udon Thani. Our client came to us with an initial design of a home which they liked, but wanted the floor plans and exterior styling developed further into something that more suited their style and requirements. We have worked with them to produce the final design concept that you see below. We are now busy with the structural engineering and planning phase and hope to have a complete set of plans and documentation ready by the end of August. Construction is due to begin in early September.
Project: Modern Style 2 Bedroom 1 Storey Home (Nong Kom Ko)
Posted By Alec on May 29, 2011
Last week, we completed the main structural framework by pouring the concrete for the roof beams and also the concrete slabs for the parts of the house that have a flat roof. The next step is to install the pre-cast concrete floor slabs, build the roof structure and begin the block work.
Project: Modern Style 2 Bedroom 1 Storey Home (Nong Kom Ko)
Posted By Alec on May 5, 2011
This morning, the site received its official ‘blessing’ in a traditional Buddhist ceremony, so construction can begin. We have now begun pouring the footings and setting the steel column reinforcement structures in place. Meanwhile, some staff are also preparing the steel beam reinforcement structures. Ready for installation over the coming days.
Project: Thip Thani - 4 Bedroom Home
Posted By Alec on April 30, 2011
Today we took delivery of the pre-cast concrete floor slabs for our Thip Thani project. Once all in place, a re-inforcing wire mesh will be laid over the top and a the final concrete floor surface will be poured over the top.
Project: Modern Style 2 Bedroom 1 Storey Home (Nong Kom Ko)
Posted By Alec on April 30, 2011
We attempted to excavate the footings for our latest project a couple of days ago….. unfortunately, we encountered a rocky seam about half a meter down full of huge rocks that proved to be too much of a challenge for the small excavator that we were using. The reason for initially using a small excavator is that it produces much neater holes that require less manual ‘dressing’ prior to pouring the concrete footings. Today we are continuing with a larger excavator that is more up to the task of removing the large rocks!
Project: Modern Style 2 Bedroom 1 Storey Home (Nong Kom Ko)
Posted By Alec on April 27, 2011
In January I posted images of a concept for a modern style two bedroom home. Since then, we have worked with the client to develop this concept into a final design and a full set of engineering drawings. Planning permission has now been granted and today we began clearing the plot of land and marking it out for construction. The lucky Buddhist day for the first columns to be erected is 4th May. Between now and then we shall be digging the footings and preparing all of the column reinforcement structures.
Project: Thip Thani - 4 Bedroom Home
Posted By Alec on April 26, 2011
Today we completed the initial concrete structural framework of our latest project in Thip Thani, and began work on the steel roof structure. We are now awaiting delivery of the precast concrete floor slabs, and will begin the block work.
Project: Other Projects
Posted By Alec on April 25, 2011
We recently completed the design of a low cost 2 bedroom house in a 1.5 storey configuration for a customer who has his own construction team ready to build for him. He came with a basic idea of the style of home he wanted and we developed this into a floor plan and exterior in keeping with this style.
Project: Other Projects
Posted By Alec on February 3, 2011
I have just completed an initial concept design for a 300 sq.m. two storey four bedroom home.
Project: Fao Rai - 2 Bedroom Home
Posted By Alec on February 3, 2011
We have finished casting of all of the columns and beams. The floor slab has now been poured. In this case we used pre-cast concrete slabs over which was laid a steel mesh. A layer of concrete was then poured over the tope of this. This method is much quicker than adding in supports and shuttering and then pouring one thick concrete slab. Most of the walls have also now been built. Due to budget constraints with this project, we are using standard blocks, rather than the thermally insulating blocks that we have used on other projects.
Project: Thip Thani Project 2
Posted By Alec on January 12, 2011
We completed our second project in Thip Thani in december of last year and handed the keys over to a happy customer, just in time to move in for Christmas.
A client can have as much or as little involvement as they wish with the design of their home. Some like to leave all of the decisions to the designer, whilst some have a very clear idea in their mind of the look they are trying to achieve. With this property, it was a mixture of the two cases in that I was responsible for the exterior design, and the client made all of the interior styling choices around a layout that I had provided. The project was carried out on a fixed price bases, with a set budget for things such as tiles, paint, granite counter tops etc… Our client then chose the interior finishes receiving a rebate if under budget and paying an excess if over the allowed budget. This suited him as it meant he was able to chose exactly what he wanted and also allowed him to find his own savings on certain things and then use that to upgrade on other features.
We had originally bought the land for development and the contract we had with the client was for the land and for the design and construction of the home. Garden landscaping was not something that was covered in this case as it was something that the client wanted to undertake, allowing himself time to live in the property and develop the garden over time to suit him.
Project: Thip Thani Project 2
Posted By Alec on August 10, 2010
We have now completed all of the interior and exterior rendering of our second project in Thip Thani.
Project: General
Posted By Alec on August 8, 2010
In the past week we were asked to propose a concept design for a 3 storey home/office building in the centre of Nong Khai. The ground floor of which would be entirely taken up by office space and the top two floors would be the home of the owner. As of yet a final decision has not been made by the client as to whether to go with our design. However, I am including this here to give an idea of the detailed images we produce before any potential clients part with a single Baht. If you are thinking about commissioning us to design and build your home, you can be sure of the final look and style before you make any commitment to move forward.
Project: Other Projects
Posted By Alec on August 8, 2010
Another project that we carried out the design for was a pool villa situated right on the Mekong river between Nong Khai and Tha Bo. This two ensuite bathroom home consisted of large open plan living area set around a decked pool area enjoying views across the mekong river. For a better view of the river, the home also featured a shaded roof top terrance.
Project: Other Projects
Posted By Alec on August 8, 2010
We were recently approached by a client who had a plot of land in Laos on which he wanted to build a relatively low cost 2 bedroom bungalow. He had already arranged a local builder, but wanted us to carry out the design and engineering of the home and produce a set of plans. The home consists of two bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, large living spaces and both an indoor and outdoor kitchen with two balconies. We have completed all of the plans the client is due to begin construction with his own builder soon.
