DrAndys Concrete Box in the City

[DrAndy]

naw, those are normal arches; we did consider those but opted for the gay Chinese Moongate instead

in fact, it works pretty well and looks good too

[ninja]

When you posted a picture of this door in the construction phase I thought it looked kind of interesting.


Now that you've completed it, the word that comes to mind is gay. Built by a katoey as my missus often says when sees a particularly over designed construction. No offense mate.

Maybe the owner looks like this. Then it would be ideal

[DrAndy]

amusing...I will have to invite a few fat friends around to test it

maybe that Teddy can help?

[erich23]

jabba the hut comes to mind.

p.s. great thread, very inspiring and encouraging!!! i read it in one go cause we too have a quarter rai in the old town in cm with an old rotten wooden house on it. still not sure what to do about it.

[DrAndy]

good luck with it Erich, and thanks

I would be interested in seeing your plot

[erich23]

Its Ratchamanka Road next to Wat Pha Khao. You are very welcome to visit, i'm not in Chiang Mai right now but will be back end of this month. Also i wouldn't mind to have a look at your place....cheers

[DrAndy]

OK Erich, send me a PM when you get here

[DrAndy]

OK we are now continuing with the building

The courtyard is being bricked, with nice secondhand handmade bricks



the earth gets nicely flattened, samd spread, then a dry sand and cement mix

the bricks are lid on that, tapped to make almost level!, and then sand brushed into the cracks

the whole thing is then watered, and more sand brushed around
pics of that will follow later



The back of the house has been tiked a bit and a Thai kitchen put there for housemate and maid to play in



the solar water heater was eventually placed here too; it gets full sun and often the water is too hot to touch - brilliant




The nice stage of building - putting your furniture and objects around from storage

The top of the first flight of stairs



The other end of the landing; the ironing centre. The double doors have a nice balcony



The guest bedroom and computer centre (where I am now)




The main bedroom, with net so we can leave the shutters open when warm



a sculpture. I have been waiting for ages to get the art up!!



another




next week the courtyard bricking continues

the iron stair railings and bannisters should be started

the pool surround stainless railings are in progress (we are waiting for the pool machinery still)

the under-arches part of the courtyard stone is being cut

the fence next to the RH neighbour will be started

[patsycat]

This is where it gets interesting. I love looking at the furniture etc. that people put in their homes.

I like your angel statue at the top of the stairs, I have one too, but it's just the angel with her head in her hands. At the moment she is hiding behind the tv, but shall come out in time for Christmas.

[Chairman Mao]

The guest bedroom and computer centre (where I am now)

All looking lovely mate. Looks like ya got a nice green view from that balcony. Perhaps a wheeled computer desk to bring the comp out there. I do most of my play-on-internet from my bedroom balcony and it's lovely.

[sunsetter]

looking good mate, been waiting for this one to pop up and start again, keep going!!

[DrAndy]

thanks all, we are waiting for the iron-man as I type

[rickschoppers]

Great place Andy.............I like your other dwelling in the rice fields as well and wonder at which one you will spend more time. They are both great places in different ways and you and your better half really know how to design a nice abode. It makes me think about building something over CM way, but I have to win the lottery first. Thanks for the nice thread and all the good information and I may steal some of your design ideas once I start to build over here in the NW. Enjoy your places!!!!!!!!!!

[rickschoppers]

Northeast that is................can't tell my east from my west anymore. Guess that's better than not knowing my north from my south.....

[DrAndy]

cheers Rick

as long as you can tell your arse from your elbow, everything will be fine

this week there have been about four sets of workers doing different jobs all around the house, what a cacophony!

pics to follow, but I am taking a rest from all the stress today. I think I will go looking for some furniture in the antique market

[rickschoppers]

Yeah I wipe my elbow after a shite and never place my arse on the table, right??

Seriously, hope all goes well with the finish work and the pics should be great. Have fun buying some furniture. Lots to pick from over there.

[DrAndy]

so, some update pics

first the area under the arches, part of the courtyard

this has been tiled in granite; we thought we would make it a little decorative (or gay, as some of our more basic members would say)




hard work, but well paid!



the final tiles laid and the pool table moved



thought we would insert a little star



I will use this area as my new carpentry workshop for the kitchen build and anything else needed

[DrAndy]

At the same time, we had the dividing wall rebuilt

the old wall consisted of broken posts and bits of tin etc

all cleared away




a couple of these beasties found; they were taken away to be eaten




new posts inserted



a lower beam and blocks built




we had some security grills from the demolished house, each over 2m long, so we decided to re-use them in the wall




eventually, we want plants to cover the whole wall; for the moment, we put some black netting in a couple of places for privacy



now we can get the garden into shape

[DrAndy]

due to a massive response and requests for updates (well, 2), I will be posting a few pics of each feature as it is completed

the first is the pool, now complete and swum in

the equipment was installed under the pool area



water was delivered by truck and pumped up





Stainless steps being built



messy buggers; if you have any stainless work done, get them to make it off site and bring to fit



they did a nice job though



someone already spilt some coffee on it






and a nice view too



now in full use

[neilandmeechai]

I don't really know what to say other than "WoW" !!!! but possibly I can also add on an "Amazing" and certainly a well deserved "Compliments" with what you have achieved. Lots of success in your house.

[Chairman Mao]

Agreed.

Although I'd prefer it surrounded by nothing but fields and countryside, like yer wooden bungalows, a lovely house. Well done.

[DrAndy]

thanks Neil, and also Mao

well, this is our city house, near all the bars and restaurants

a very different concept to the wooden shack

[Marmite the Dog]

Right! The bags are on the bike, we're on our way...

[DrAndy]

great, but we have just gone away for a year

anyway, here are the railings for the stairs etc

for the stairs






the first floor landing




and also the double shutters, to stop us walking out into space




and to protect the big windows



I am still working on building the kitchen and our wardrobe, so those will come later

maybe some pics of the garden/courtyard area may be interesting ....coming soon

[ThisOldHouse]

Concrete, stone, steel, wood, and glass... amazing the way it's all come together DrA! Love the B&W tiles too. Keep 'em coming.