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: Amoon on the Mekong
Posted By Alec on November 26, 2011
After a very long delay on this project due to weather, things are finally once again moving along at scheduled pace. The rainy season this year lasted a lot longer than normal and the effect it had on this project was significant. The heavy rain made it impossible for the pile driver to move around on the site and complete all of the piles. Frustratingly, we had only been waiting for a break in the rain for four clear days so that the ground would be firm enough for the pile driver to drive the remaining small number of piles, but alas for many weeks it was not to be. Finally, however, at the end of last month the rains stopped, at least in this region and we were underway again. Since then, we have excavated the pile heads, pried the concrete footings that sit on top of the piles also the columns that join these footings to the ground floor beams. We have also prepared all of the steel work for the ground floor beams and completed all shuttering, in preparation for the concrete pour that will be happening today.
Project: Modern 2 Bedroom 2 Storey Home (Thip Thani)
Posted By Alec on June 28, 2011
I have just completed this very rough concept for a two storey two bedroom home, which I was asked to prepare. There is no fixed schedule for construction, though, as the client is still looking for the right plot of land on which to build. It is for this reason that I call the design a ‘very rough’ concept, as a lot could change depending on the chosen plot of land. Not least the size and shape, but also the orientation of the land would play a big part in the design with regard to positioning of windows for best views and allowances for protection from solar heat.
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: Fao Rai - 2 Bedroom Home
Posted By Alec on February 15, 2011
All of the block work has been completed and the roof tiling is also almost complete. We have now begun chasing the conduit into the internal walls ready for the electrical first fix and also preparing the surfaces and edges for rendering.
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.
Project: Other Projects
Posted By Alec on August 8, 2010
At Nong Khai Design, we offer a complete design and build service and can take your dream home, develop the design, carry out necessary structural engineering, submit plans for planning approval and build your home. We can also help you find the land on which to build. Once built we offer interior design and garden landscaping services. However, we can also help you with any particular phase of the design and build process, whether you already have plans and just need a builder, or maybe you have a builder and need a set of plans.
I tend to blog here specifically about our own projects, but I shall start to add more of the projects in which we are involved shortly under the category of ‘Other Projects’.
Project: Baan Sanploen
Posted By Alec on April 26, 2010
It’s been a few days since my last post, but this is not to say that there has been no activity on site. Most of the exterior has now been rendered. The down pipes have been fitted to the roof guttering and today the concrete supports have been prepared for the brick work that will box in the drain pipes. Also over the last couple of days, work has started on producing the steel structure for the ‘wing’ which will be fitted to the roof.
Roof wing frame structure
Project: Baan Sanploen
Posted By Alec on April 21, 2010
About half of the initial exterior rendering has been completed. Once completed, decorative form work will be added to house and additional rending added. The feature roof ‘wing’ will also be added after rendering.
Exterior rendering
Project: Thip Thani Project 2
Posted By Alec on April 8, 2010
Yesterday, after a lot of searching and negotiation, we finally managed to secure the plot of land for our next building project. This plot is also in Thip Thani, about 100m from our other building project. However, this plot of land is slightly larger and bordered on two sides by the stream that flows around Thip Thani.
I now have to get to work designing a home to fit with this land, which I shall be starting shortly. I intend to have the design completed by the end of April so that the footings can be dug ready for the workers to get straight to work once they have finished the current build in mid May.
Thip Thani - Plot 2
As you can see, the plot is a bit of a Jungle at the moment, but tomorrow the land will be cleared and levelled. That should give a much better idea of what we have to work with and make it easier to visualise a property on the land. As I mentioned, the land is bordered on two sides by a stream, however during the rainy season this can become more like a raging torrent! In order to secure the land from erosion we will shore up the land over the next few days if it is required. This is a job that certainly can not wait as the rainy season should be starting any day now – it will definitely be easier to shore up the land while the stream is just a trickle.
Project: Baan Sanploen
Posted By Alec on April 8, 2010
After another couple of days of hard work, the initial roofing has been completed. However, there is still some secondary roofing work to be carried out to form the “wing” that overhangs by 1m around the perimeter of the roof. This wing is primarily an architectural feature for aesthetic appeal, but it will also provide some additional shade to the exterior walls and windows. The ‘wing’ will be fitted after the walls have been rendered.
Initial roofing complete
Project: Baan Sanploen
Posted By Alec on April 2, 2010
I’ve just realised that it is a week since my last blog post. This is not because there has been no progress, rather that it has been such a busy week and I have not seemed to have time to upload videos and pictures and write a post.
So, what has been happening. We have spent a lot of time trying to secure land for our next project, which has not been an entirely straight forward process…. more on that project in due course.
Much of the brickwork for the ground floor has been completed, including the casting of concrete frame for the large doors that lead from the living room and from the dining room out into the garden. The beams and slab for the large porch area has been poured.
The first brick is laid
I have had a very specific idea of the look and finish that I want to achieve with this home. Sometimes it has been hard to source appropriate materials, fixtures and fittings. After spending quite some time trying to source internal doors that fit my requirements, I have decided to make them myself and have been making preparations with the construction of tooling jigs etc… Sometimes it is the small details that make all the difference to a home and I am happy to have finally found the right door handles for the property!
We are now a little closer to having a complete set of kitchen appliances, having ordered a large refrigerator, to add to the oven, hob and extractor that has already been delivered. I have also more or less decided upon fixtures and fittings for the bathrooms, though these have not been ordered yet.
At the moment, there are three main tasks underway. Onsite, brickwork for the second floor is progressing at a fast pace. Also, the shuttering is being prepared for the casting of the main staircase, which should be ready to be poured by tomorrow. Meanwhile, off site, the steel structure of the roof is being prepared and will be brought to site for assembly over the next week.
Project: Baan Sanploen
Posted By Alec on March 22, 2010
Project: Baan Sanploen
Posted By Alec on March 3, 2010
Another great day of progress today, with the ground floor slab having been poured by lunch time! The steel bars that you can see protruding from the slab is the attachment point for the steel re-enforcement structure of the concrete staircase.
The finished ground floor slab
Tomorrow, the steel reenforcement structures for the second floor beams will be tied and attached to the columns.
Project: Baan Sanploen
Posted By Alec on March 3, 2010
Not ones to waste any time, the workers had already poured most of the ground floor slab by the time I visited the site at 10:00 am this morning. The part that has not yet been filled with sand and steel re-enforcment, that you can see in the video, is where the ground floor bathroom and garden store room will be. The floor for these two rooms is at a lower level than the rest of the floor, so will be poured separately once the main floor casting has set.
Project: Baan Sanploen
Posted By Alec on February 20, 2010
The rest of the first stage columns were poured today. The shuttering was removed from those poured yesterday and the holes in which they stand filled in. We also took delivery of more materials in preparation for construction of the ground floor support beams.
First stage column with concrete set and shuttering removed
Filling in the footing holes
First ten footing holes filled
Another 3 tonnes of steel arrives ready for beam construction
Project: Baan Sanploen
Posted By Alec on February 19, 2010
We have now poured the first 10 columns and applied shuttering to the rest, ready for pouring tomorrow.
Project: Baan Sanploen
Posted By Alec on February 18, 2010
First stage column shuttering
Today we took delivery of more materials for the next stage of the build. Shutting was also fitted around the steel re-enforcement columns ready for concrete to be poured tomorrow. The shuttering comes to a level lower than the eventual level of the ground floor. Once the concrete has set, the steel re-enforcement beam structures will be attached to the steel column structures, and the concrete beams poured.
