Page 4 of 7 FirstFirst 1234567 LastLast
Results 76 to 100 of 173

Thread: Solex project

  1. #76
    Member
    manc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Last Online
    02-11-2021 @ 02:13 PM
    Posts
    143
    Quote Originally Posted by ootai View Post
    here's my take on a couple of things. Remember they are only suggestions/ideas so you are welcome to take it or leave it, up to you.
    Thank you for your detailed feedback and considered criticism. I am neither proud generally, nor of this plan specifically. Yours, Mikenot’s, Luc’s and others’ feedback are precisely why I am here making these submissions.

    To all you other lurkers, I am very grateful for any other suggestions.

    Quote Originally Posted by ootai View Post
    The air flow in the "attic" space, I don't think Thai's understand this idea and only think that air can get in so it must be also able to get out. The idea of "flow" escapes them.
    Yes if you have open soffits all round then also have a strong wind it would force air to flow across the attic space but what happens when there is no wind?
    I am not sure if they are available here in Thailand but I have seen pictures of people who have installed rid capping which is manufactured in such a way that it acts as an air vent. If you could get some of that then that could solve the look versus function argument. Probably would have been easy to find it suitable for an iron roof but I'm sure there are versions made for cement tile rooves.
    Duly noted! I am going to look into this further.

    Quote Originally Posted by ootai View Post
    The second point was to do with your comment about the sun shining into your kitchen dining area. There was so much detail in your post it was a bit confusing at times but I believe I have it sorted in my head but just to be sure, I think you were talking about the area where I have placed a red rectangle in your picture, shown below.
    I am assuming you were talking of having large glass windows to the eastern end of the pool. My idea would be to erect a pergola about the size of the red rectangle. Then instead of closing the roof use angled slats so that the sunshine is allowed in in the morning but not in the afternoon. This would stop the sun shining on your windows. Depending on availability here in Thailand (once again) you could if you wanted get metal slats that are adjustable. My daughter has slats on her pergola in Aussie and they are rain sensitive so close if it starts to rain. I reckon this would create a nice area for a couple of layback chairs/couches for lounging by the pool.

    One thing that I didn't understand was where you were going to access the pool area from, is it from the kitchen area or do you have to walk around to the car port area as I didn't really see any doors around the pool.
    I am sorry that this was not clear, I should have added a bit more detail here. Thank you for persisting and working it out. For others who were confused by my ramble:

    Solex project-13-jpgSolex project-14-jpg


    These images should provide clearer orientation. You can see the L-shape of the house. The Google Map image is up = north, down = south, etc.

    Attachment 74870
    Solex project-17-jpg

    And here is the rough plan again. You are absolutely correct in your assumption. The general concept is to have mostly large, north-facing windows / patio doors. However, I have had to diverge from this for the kitchen / dining area, where we have large windows / patio doors facing the sun setting in the west.

    There will be two sets of large sliding patio doors for the kitchen / dining area. You are correct again, in that access to the pool will predominantly be from there. Also intended is for the north-facing walls of the bedrooms / office / gym to have large windows / sliding patio doors for access to the pool, too.

    The idea is that there will be a 20cm drop from floor level in the north and west-facing rooms of the house to the grass outside. I intend to put stones in the ground for walking about so that walking on the grass is not necessary.

    Like this:

    Solex project-15-jpg


    I like the look and idea of a pergola here, but I think it might add a bit too much clutter. I will have another think about it though.
    Last edited by manc; 27-08-2021 at 06:06 PM. Reason: Clearer images inserted

  2. #77
    Member
    manc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Last Online
    02-11-2021 @ 02:13 PM
    Posts
    143
    Quote Originally Posted by Schuimpge View Post
    Just a remark on the rain-noise with colorbond roof. Can't say from my own experience, but every build story I've read on CTH did say that PU-Foam backed colorbond roof does a great job in sound isolation.
    Don't think it will make a difference to your material-choice anymore, but thought I mention it.
    Thanks for that, Luc. I will discuss this with the builder and look at pricing. Colorbond is much lighter than cement tiles, isn’t it? The structural engineer’s calculations will be factoring heavy cement tiles, which means, should we change our mind on the material, we may have over-engineered slightly.

    Quote Originally Posted by Schuimpge View Post
    Ootai has a good point on putting a pergola there. It's exactly what I mentioned in my design as well. Pergola will keep most of the sun out and will give an interesting play with light and shadow during the day..
    Yes, I will have another think about this. Will chat to the builder too. My concerns were always cost and pool / outdoor shower piping underneath. But this has given further food for thought.

    Quote Originally Posted by Schuimpge View Post
    The corridor indeed..lol. Interestingly, one of my good friends lived in a similar shaped bungalow (without the pool) and he also had this corridor facing the parking/street side of the house with all bedrooms attached to it.
    Not a fan of corridors, but with the pool as the center of the house, it's a good solution.
    Ha! 😃 I specifically remember you objecting fiercely to indoor corridors in your build story. I thought this would get a rise. Yeah, I am not happy with it. In my initial plan I planned for it to only be 100cm wide as well. But the builder insisted at least 120cm – two tiles’ worth of space.

    Quote Originally Posted by Schuimpge View Post
    Nice work!
    Thanks, Luc! Have a nice weekend.

  3. #78
    Member

    Join Date
    May 2019
    Last Online
    28-11-2023 @ 02:31 PM
    Posts
    170
    Indeed colorbond will be a very lightweight construction compared to roof-tiles. Don't know if a 'redesign' would save substantial money in amount of materials used to carry a lighter roof. I guess a ground up 'light-weight design' could. But a more or less traditional house. no..

    The house of my friend was in the south of Belgium, 15 years ago..but indeed, I resent hall-ways as they are lost space and sure you can't make them any more narrow than your architect suggested or the bed or closet or whatever wouldn't get around the corner and into the room it has to go..lol.
    I bought a bamboo 4 posted bed once, on a whim because it was only 250 SGD, friend's friend who was selling the last stock of their business. Living on the 3rd floor of an old apartment block in Holland Village in Singapore, I found out that the front and back frames couldn't be dismantled, nor could they get up the stairs. I already envisioned having to rent a crane to bring it to the balcony, but me and my friend helping me then found that the frame could go up vertical through the small opening in-between the stairs with literally a few cm's spare. Would I have been on the 2nd floor, a crane would have been the only option, but the ceiling height on the 3rd floor was just enough to lift it up, tilt it and bring it through the front door.
    Needless to say, when I moved to the UK for an assignment, I just left it there..lol

    As for the pergola, it just needs a bit of concrete footing on the corners. Rest can be done in wood or con-wood if you don't like the maintenance of wood.

    Cheers, and a good weekend to you too.
    Luc

  4. #79
    Member

    Join Date
    May 2019
    Last Online
    28-11-2023 @ 02:31 PM
    Posts
    170
    To get a feel for your 'suggested 1m wide hallway'... stick your elbows out horizontally.. Elbow to elbow will be about 1m..
    Ever tried passing someone in a 1m wide alley? lol...

  5. #80
    Member
    manc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Last Online
    02-11-2021 @ 02:13 PM
    Posts
    143
    Quote Originally Posted by Schuimpge View Post
    Indeed colorbond will be a very lightweight construction compared to roof-tiles. Don't know if a 'redesign' would save substantial money in amount of materials used to carry a lighter roof. I guess a ground up 'light-weight design' could. But a more or less traditional house. no..

    The house of my friend was in the south of Belgium, 15 years ago..but indeed, I resent hall-ways as they are lost space and sure you can't make them any more narrow than your architect suggested or the bed or closet or whatever wouldn't get around the corner and into the room it has to go..lol.
    I bought a bamboo 4 posted bed once, on a whim because it was only 250 SGD, friend's friend who was selling the last stock of their business. Living on the 3rd floor of an old apartment block in Holland Village in Singapore, I found out that the front and back frames couldn't be dismantled, nor could they get up the stairs. I already envisioned having to rent a crane to bring it to the balcony, but me and my friend helping me then found that the frame could go up vertical through the small opening in-between the stairs with literally a few cm's spare. Would I have been on the 2nd floor, a crane would have been the only option, but the ceiling height on the 3rd floor was just enough to lift it up, tilt it and bring it through the front door.
    Needless to say, when I moved to the UK for an assignment, I just left it there..lol

    As for the pergola, it just needs a bit of concrete footing on the corners. Rest can be done in wood or con-wood if you don't like the maintenance of wood.

    Cheers, and a good weekend to you too.
    Luc
    Thanks once again for the feedback, Luc.

    That story about the bed is a really important one, and has got me thinking about large items and the rooms they have to go in, and the potential logistical nightmares that could ensue. I have been thinking IKEA-style beds and large furniture that can be assembled in-situ, but not all items are like that.

    Once again, food for thought. Thanks!

  6. #81
    Member
    manc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Last Online
    02-11-2021 @ 02:13 PM
    Posts
    143
    Quote Originally Posted by Schuimpge View Post
    To get a feel for your 'suggested 1m wide hallway'... stick your elbows out horizontally.. Elbow to elbow will be about 1m..
    Ever tried passing someone in a 1m wide alley? lol...
    Yeah, exactly, that would be too small; and on a long corridor would look weird.

    But like you say, it's wasted space. So, while it can't be too big, it also cannot be impermissibly small.

    Having done a bit of reading, I was under the impression that Thai builders don't like to have more than 5–6m separation between pillars.

    Solex project-18-jpg


    If that is the case, then we have a limiting factor along the southern wing (blue line). We cannot just, say, bump the corridor (green line) up to a more welcoming 150cm. Well, I mean we could, but then we are eating into the already small 4m depth of the rooms (red line).

    I think 120cm is a decent compromise.

    Compromises; everywhere!

    By the way, that is why my Excel file went through 25 different iterations. I would change something, come back to the plan later on and realise there's a reason why I cannot change it, or that changing one thing impacts on another.
    Last edited by manc; 28-08-2021 at 12:38 PM. Reason: Picture editing and corrections.

  7. #82
    Thailand Expat

    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    1,742
    manc

    You are correct regarding cause and effect, poke here and it bulges there.
    However in your case I believe the whole thing is quite simple to solve.
    Use colourbond steel for your roof and then you could push the distance between pillars out to what you want without any need to change the dimensions of the beams between the pillars because the roof weight would be much less.

    If you still want to increase the width between pillars then all that is required is making the beams stronger which is done mainly by adding more steel reinforcement.
    I always say to anyone who is questioning the width achievable between pillars to go and look at shopping centre carparks. There you can see the exposed beams and just how massive they are but they allow large spans.

  8. #83
    Member
    manc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Last Online
    02-11-2021 @ 02:13 PM
    Posts
    143
    Quote Originally Posted by ootai View Post
    manc

    You are correct regarding cause and effect, poke here and it bulges there.
    However in your case I believe the whole thing is quite simple to solve.
    Use colourbond steel for your roof and then you could push the distance between pillars out to what you want without any need to change the dimensions of the beams between the pillars because the roof weight would be much less.

    If you still want to increase the width between pillars then all that is required is making the beams stronger which is done mainly by adding more steel reinforcement.
    I always say to anyone who is questioning the width achievable between pillars to go and look at shopping centre carparks. There you can see the exposed beams and just how massive they are but they allow large spans.
    An excellent point, Ootai. It makes sense. Thanks for this suggestion.

    I am beginning to regret not having submitted this plan for scrutiny from this board before having commissioned drawings. Really, this is something I would have expected an architect to have suggested to me rather than a kind stranger on a construction forum. We spoke to about six architects to whom I presented my plans in detail. Not one of them mentioned colorbond roofing, or the associated dynamics that would have provided the flexibility to accommodate dimensional changes.

    We can still make changes, though. The architect is very relaxed about things. The plan is for him to send me copies of his final drawings electronically (apparently in the next few days). Then I can scrutinise them before having him print them and do signatures and stuff. I have already told him all the changes and extra work added by us we will pay for. The architect’s rate is B100 per sqm with BoQ and engineering calculations and signature, so it will come to about B25,000.

    Even if we ask him to redo the design completely, for another B25,000, that extra cost is insignificant in the wider scheme of things.

    I will read up on this further and will likely ask him to come in for another meeting to discuss this.

  9. #84
    Member

    Join Date
    May 2019
    Last Online
    28-11-2023 @ 02:31 PM
    Posts
    170
    Personally, I think you should have no problems at all with the 5-6 meter spans if you use the separation walls between the rooms as support.
    There's a big difference between 'open unsupported span' and 'supported span'.
    So if you would poor a beam on top of the q-con block-walls, with the same strength/properties as a normal 4m support beam without the supporting wall, without me being an engineer, I'd bet you would end up with a beam that has much higher load-bearing properties.
    No need to change the roof structure then.

    Cheers,
    Luc

  10. #85
    Thailand Expat

    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    1,742
    Quote Originally Posted by Schuimpge View Post
    Personally, I think you should have no problems at all with the 5-6 meter spans if you use the separation walls between the rooms as support.
    There's a big difference between 'open unsupported span' and 'supported span'.
    So if you would poor a beam on top of the q-con block-walls, with the same strength/properties as a normal 4m support beam without the supporting wall, without me being an engineer, I'd bet you would end up with a beam that has much higher load-bearing properties.
    No need to change the roof structure then.

    Cheers,
    Luc
    I almost agree with what Schuimpge is saying with the exception being that in the plans I can't see any vertical column and the end of the 4m q-con wall so there would be no vertical support in between the ends of any beam you placed there. So the solution is to make the beam the full length of the distance between the 2 outside walls, allowing for the 4m room and whatever width you want the corridor to be then insure that the beam is strong enough to support any load placed on it from above. As I said before, all you need to do to increase the load bearing capacity of a beam is to increase the cross sectional area of the steel within the beam. This is done by putting more (numbers) of the same dimensional steel inside or increasing the diameter of the of the steel reinforcement used i.e. go from say 5mm rebar up to 8mm rebar.

    I don't really think it is a very difficult task and if the structural engineer the architect is using can't redesign the beam you need to question every thing else he did for the design. Just go and see him and tell him what you want after all you are the customer paying the bill.

    Just as Schuimpge qualifies his remarks with the "without me being an engineer", I will do the same with "although I am an engineer, I am not a structural engineer!".

  11. #86
    Member

    Join Date
    May 2019
    Last Online
    28-11-2023 @ 02:31 PM
    Posts
    170
    Quote Originally Posted by ootai View Post
    Just as Schuimpge qualifies his remarks with the "without me being an engineer", I will do the same with "although I am an engineer, I am not a structural engineer!"
    Ok, with the equation being: 'without me being an engineer' < 'I am an engineer' < 'I am a structural engineer', I guess I will agree with Ootai for having the simplest and safest solution... lol

  12. #87
    Member

    Join Date
    May 2019
    Last Online
    28-11-2023 @ 02:31 PM
    Posts
    170
    Just a comment on the pergola. I think if you'd put a roof on it (clear poly-carbonate for example), and a wood decking, you would provide a good buffer between the pool (wet) and grass (dirt, wet, etc) and your living-room entrance, greatly reducing cleaning of the walk-in area.
    As well, with a helicopter fan, some cooling when sitting outside. (I know, you're not an outside person)..

  13. #88
    Thailand Expat

    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    1,742
    Quote Originally Posted by Schuimpge View Post
    Ok, with the equation being: 'without me being an engineer' < 'I am an engineer' < 'I am a structural engineer', I guess I will agree with Ootai for having the simplest and safest solution... lol
    Just be careful when quoting as I said "I am NOT a structural engineer".

    In the end there is always a solution its just depends on the size of your pockets and whether you are willing to part with the money.

  14. #89
    Thailand Expat

    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    1,742
    Quote Originally Posted by Schuimpge View Post
    Just a comment on the pergola. I think if you'd put a roof on it (clear poly-carbonate for example), and a wood decking, you would provide a good buffer between the pool (wet) and grass (dirt, wet, etc) and your living-room entrance, greatly reducing cleaning of the walk-in area.
    As well, with a helicopter fan, some cooling when sitting outside. (I know, you're not an outside person)..

    Once again Schuimpge (where does a name like that come from?) we almost agree. I just think louvres that could be opened, adjusted or shut would be better than a roof.
    As for poly carbonate we had that at the back of our house but after a while you could see mold forming, mind you our builder did a crappy job of sealing the ends.

    You are (in my opinion) absolutely on the money re creating a transition space between the poll and the indoors.

    I will follow with interest to see what manc eventually does.

  15. #90
    Member

    Join Date
    May 2019
    Last Online
    28-11-2023 @ 02:31 PM
    Posts
    170
    Quote Originally Posted by ootai View Post
    Just be careful when quoting as I said "I am NOT a structural engineer".
    I might have confused you, but based on your comment, you would classify as "I am an engineer" which is more than (>) 'without me being an engineer' but less than (<) 'I am a structural engineer' (in the context of this building story of course)..

  16. #91
    Member

    Join Date
    May 2019
    Last Online
    28-11-2023 @ 02:31 PM
    Posts
    170
    Quote Originally Posted by ootai View Post
    Once again Schuimpge (where does a name like that come from?)
    The nickname 'Schuimpje' was given to me during preparations of a beer-fest parade in my home-town Groenlo, Netherlands, where I was working with a can of PU-Foam to shape some figures. I had quite long hair at the time, it was dark and I accidentally got my hair full with foam.. Schuim is Foam in Dutch, Schuimpje means as much as: Little Foam or 'Small [bit of] Foam'.

    Quite some years later I left for a job in Singapore, and having arrived there in '98, I went out to get an internet connection in my apartment. Singtel was the obvious choice at the time and they asked me to give a username.
    Schuimpje it was of course.. But when they had everything connected and gave me the username/password/email, it turned out they had misspelled it and turned the j into a g..
    Didn't bother to change that and it kinda stuck.. so that's my handle for most forums ever since.

  17. #92
    Thailand Expat

    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    1,742
    Quote Originally Posted by Schuimpge View Post
    I might have confused you, but based on your comment, you would classify as "I am an engineer" which is more than (>) 'without me being an engineer' but less than (<) 'I am a structural engineer' (in the context of this building story of course)..

    OK now I understand your comment. I might be an engineer but that doesn't anyone (i.e. me) being a bit thick sometimes.
    I never even thought about "more than" or less than", too clever by far for me.

    Good story regarding your username.

  18. #93
    Freelance Astronaut
    Thai Dhupp's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Last Online
    23-02-2024 @ 12:36 AM
    Location
    Thailand...just Thailand!
    Posts
    2,103
    Just finished reading (and re-reading!) the land split epic. Sounds like 1. you did exactly the right thing, and 2. you will be able to sit back 'n' watch the show a few years down the line with the squabbling younger generation.

    One thing, perhaps I missed it....

    ...as detailed, you sorted out the plot split but, with all those different plots in close proximity.... did everyone stop to agree (irrevocably!) the ACCESS arrangements to those plots, particularly yours which seems to be the most distant from the road?

    Great stuff! This really is an in-depth write up and we, sorry...you... haven't even started building yet!

    Hope you can keep it up - looking forward to the rest, now.

  19. #94
    Freelance Astronaut
    Thai Dhupp's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Last Online
    23-02-2024 @ 12:36 AM
    Location
    Thailand...just Thailand!
    Posts
    2,103
    With regards to air-flow... yep you definitely need it and no, the soffit arrangements will not be enough, mainly down to simple heat dynamics.

    Heat rises. Fact.

    No amount of cooler air coming in at the bottom will somehow magically make the trapped hot air move down and out of those soffits!

    The suggested 'cooling effect' of the incoming cooler air will be negligible. Remember, the trapped hot air is not a uniform temperature and will have graded itself already. The air near the soffits will be cooler that the red-hot air trapped at the top of the roof space, under the ridge.

    The gable end outlet does not need to be huge, though, if you are concerned about appearances, but it does need to be high up, as high up as possible to create the air flow and allow all of that trapped hot air to vacate the premises!

    Maybe an air brick right under the ridge would be best, and would not really stick out so much... put one on every gable you have.

    Just a suggestion...

  20. #95
    Member
    manc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Last Online
    02-11-2021 @ 02:13 PM
    Posts
    143
    My apologies for the lack of recent entries, I have been very busy with work and there have been developments with the house that I will report today.

    Schuimpje and Ootai,

    Thank you for the suggestions above regarding increasing the beam strength to accommodate wider pillars. I took a look at 2x 60cm floor tiles and am happy with 120cm for the width; I reckon it will be OK. 4m long rooms to the north are also fine. I don’t want to make the house any bigger than it already is.

    Thank you also for the ideas for the pergola. I think we may be doing away with the sala now. We received the BoQ from the architect and feel like we are going to have to make some reductions / omissions to bring this project within budget. And, as the sala is not something I can see us using a great deal, and adds unnecessary clutter to the garden area, it became the first thing the wife and I jointly decided could be removed from the plans. I am beginning to warm to the idea of a pergola or something there between kitchen/dining room and pool.

  21. #96
    Member
    manc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Last Online
    02-11-2021 @ 02:13 PM
    Posts
    143
    Quote Originally Posted by Schuimpge View Post
    The nickname 'Schuimpje' was given to me during preparations of a beer-fest parade in my home-town Groenlo, Netherlands, where I was working with a can of PU-Foam to shape some figures. I had quite long hair at the time, it was dark and I accidentally got my hair full with foam.. Schuim is Foam in Dutch, Schuimpje means as much as: Little Foam or 'Small [bit of] Foam'.

    Quite some years later I left for a job in Singapore, and having arrived there in '98, I went out to get an internet connection in my apartment. Singtel was the obvious choice at the time and they asked me to give a username.
    Schuimpje it was of course.. But when they had everything connected and gave me the username/password/email, it turned out they had misspelled it and turned the j into a g..
    Didn't bother to change that and it kinda stuck.. so that's my handle for most forums ever since.
    Solex project-1-jpg


    Thanks to Google I know how this monstrosity is pronounced. Although I won’t attempt it.

    There is something about Dutch/Flemish pronunciation which is just very challenging to us English folk. I just call our best player at MCFC Kevin. He has been on the official site several times trying to teach us to how to pronounce “de Bruyne”. 😊

  22. #97
    Member
    manc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Last Online
    02-11-2021 @ 02:13 PM
    Posts
    143
    Quote Originally Posted by Thai Dhupp View Post
    With regards to air-flow... yep you definitely need it and no, the soffit arrangements will not be enough, mainly down to simple heat dynamics.

    Heat rises. Fact.

    No amount of cooler air coming in at the bottom will somehow magically make the trapped hot air move down and out of those soffits!

    The suggested 'cooling effect' of the incoming cooler air will be negligible. Remember, the trapped hot air is not a uniform temperature and will have graded itself already. The air near the soffits will be cooler that the red-hot air trapped at the top of the roof space, under the ridge.

    The gable end outlet does not need to be huge, though, if you are concerned about appearances, but it does need to be high up, as high up as possible to create the air flow and allow all of that trapped hot air to vacate the premises!

    Maybe an air brick right under the ridge would be best, and would not really stick out so much... put one on every gable you have.

    Just a suggestion...
    Hi TD! Thanks for stopping by.
    Yep, heat rises. Even a science-challenged humanities grad. like me remembers that from primary school. Our architect is actually a qualified and professional civil engineer. So surely he should know, right? That is why I hesitated to press him on it. After all, surely he is more qualified than me on such matters. Well, we had another couple of meetings with him, which I will detail in a following post, and I brought this up again. He appeared to be much more concerned with the aesthetics of the roof. He quite obviously is aware of this issue, but the Thais clearly consider this a trivial matter.

    But before I get on to the roof and further developments …

  23. #98
    Member
    manc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Last Online
    02-11-2021 @ 02:13 PM
    Posts
    143
    Quote Originally Posted by Thai Dhupp View Post
    One thing, perhaps I missed it....

    ...as detailed, you sorted out the plot split but, with all those different plots in close proximity.... did everyone stop to agree (irrevocably!) the ACCESS arrangements to those plots, particularly yours which seems to be the most distant from the road?

    Great stuff! This really is an in-depth write up and we, sorry...you... haven't even started building yet!

    Hope you can keep it up - looking forward to the rest, now.
    This is an excellent question. On top of the actual land division and the hurt and squabbling that caused, the obvious issue to us having a plot at the top of the pile with no road access is how do we reach it? And, if we kick the issue into the long grass, what about in the future, when the next generation with whom we may have frosty relations, start their squabbling? Will old wounds be opened? Will they have leverage?

    Solex project-3-jpg


    ^ Image of full family land plot with tubular-shaped access road in the centre of the plot leading to the main street on the western side.

    You can see that plots 1, 2, 3 and 4 all have a border with this tubular line running across and then south-west to the main road. The plot that we divided up was plot 3, with our eventual subplot up at the top of plot 3.

    Solex project-2-jpg


    ^ A reminder of the desired land split I was forced to submit to the land office to apply for the surveyors to come and split the land.

    Prior to our visit to the land office, I tried several times to enquire with the FiL how we would possibly convince a surveyor or the land office to split the land in a way that would cut us off from the family-plot access road in the centre of the family land leading to the main street. All my enquiries were met with “don’t worry about it” and “we’ll sort all that out later”. But of course, I am circumspect, and I do worry about it. I like to nip problems in the bud and do not want to invest in property for my wife that will cause issues in the future.

    Since my queries were falling on deaf ears, I decided to raise this independently with the administrator at the land office. The auntie (A1) and the FiL came with us, because their signatures were required for the land split, as they were the owners of plot 3 at the time. Well, the FiL did not take kindly to me raising this issue with the land office staff member. I began explaining my query to the land office administrator. Both the auntie and the land office administrator understood what I was getting at, but the FiL got in a real huff. Confusingly, the land office administrator readily sanctioned the silly division above. Since the land office did not have a problem with this split and the FiL was getting angry, I relented. But I was very upset that I could not ask questions.

    It turns out the FiL was right about access not being an issue, and I will explain why with another story first.

    When the older family members first realised that the wife and I wanted to build a house on the family’s land, at first they wanted us to be separate from Dtong and his wife and kids. The elders foresaw issues in the future, and felt proximity would lead to arguments. To that end, they initially suggested that we use another plot of land they own which I have not mentioned before.

    Solex project-4-jpg


    ^ Large family plot top right in red (with which you are familiar); green outline bottom left is second family plot off the main road; blue line indicates what should have been the access road to the green plot.

    They were quite keen for us to take that plot of land outlined in green. They took us to inspect it on a couple of occasions. It was nice and spacious and also next to a lake. But there was one glaring problem: we had to walk through another plot of land to reach it. The usual access road to reach it I have marked with that blue line. You can see that that street stops abruptly when it meets a property with a terracotta roof. The owner of that property (let’s call him Somchai) arbitrarily shut the access road with a wall.

    So now, if the family want to access that plot, they have to walk through neighbours’ property and backyards further to the south. There’s no way you’re getting equipment, labour and trucks in there for a house build, or anything else for that matter.


    Solex project-5-jpg


    ^ View taken recently of the street block-off.

    The family noticed that Somchai had built a building in his complex that deliberately obstructed what had previously been used as a thoroughfare to get to the family’s land; indeed other land plots there now had no access. Following protestations, Somchai then put up a wall there. Attempts to speak to Somchai and request he desist from obstructing public thoroughfare to those plots to the south of the main road fell on deaf ears. The family then called a lawyer. The FiL and family lawyer sat down with Somchai and his lawyer. Somchai made it clear he was not going to yield at any cost. The family then took Somchai to court. This case has been postponed due to Covid. But when the court did sit to discuss the issue in a preliminary session, the judge asked Somchai if we would be willing to negotiate again. Somchai put on record his volition to fight the case to the last, even if losing the case meant he had to take down the structures he had built.

    “Cool story, bro! But what has this got to do with ThaiDhupp’s question”? Well, both our potential access issue and Somchai’s legal case come down to an aspect of law known as servitude. Lot’s of readers will be familiar with this already, but I was not. For those wanting more detail, please read here and here. But briefly: if your plot of land is away from an access road, and you ordinarily need to cross a neighbour’s land to reach it, and you can prove that you have habitually done this over time, then the owner of the land over which you are crossing is subjected to a servitude. So, that land being crossed may be the owner’s in name, but you have a legal right to use it and ensure it remains unobstructed for your access purpose. I mention the necessity of historical use, because if you build a property for which the sole access would be through a neighbour’s land, and do not consult that neighbour first, then that neighbour can contest servitude.

    To summarise: Somchai’s case is that nobody used that road before and the family and some neighbours say it is was habitually used. (I say some neighbours, because the case gets a lot juicier: it has divided the village, and estranged family members and enemies in the village who have grievances with our family have been bought off by Somchai with bribes to act as witnesses in court; and Somchai is actually a songtaew driver who could not possibly afford the land and complex build, and is instead the recipient of illicit, sequestered funds from his brother, a monk, who has funnelled away public donations from his temple … but the entry is already long enough).

    Solex project-6-jpg


    ^ Google has helped us by marking out the unofficial road used by the Laotian tenants in the top right corner. The yellow line will be the unofficial road (or “easement” / “servitude”) running from Dtong’s land through A3’s land.

    Back to our plan and the access question. Once we build our house on our plot and use the above route, habitually, for many years, with no complaints from the family members, then we will be legally secure in terms of proving the existence of a long-standing, uncontested servitude – were this ever to become an issue.

    It’s great to know all of this now, but we could have saved ourselves a big, embarrassing argument in the land office if the FiL had just explained this to me. Going forward, I resolved that even if the FiL is correct on a particular matter, if he cannot communicate to me properly, then he may as well be wrong, because I cannot invest in a project I don’t understand. His recalcitrance and evasion is unproductive, and I was reluctant to seek his help after this; although he did come good with the land fill that we did. Hopefully soon I will have time to make an entry on that.

  24. #99
    Member
    manc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Last Online
    02-11-2021 @ 02:13 PM
    Posts
    143
    The architect finally provided us with comprehensive drawings. There were over 30 in total: planar views of the entire house; side views; details of the roof and ground slabs; diagrams of the septic tanks and grease trap; diagrams of the footings; loads of stuff. The house area is 284.36 sqm; the sala is 12.25 sqm; the total is 295.61 sqm. Here is an outline of the house where you can see the TV room (which was not in the previous drawing earlier in the thread).

    Solex project-7-jpg


    ^ Planar view of the house, with the newly added TV room on the right above the car port. Above that there is an entrance corridor from the east with a recess on the southern wall, into which we plan to put a shoe cabinet and coat hangers, etc.

    In all of the meetings we had had hitherto with the architect, the only prepared drawings we discussed were basic planar views concentrating on the rooms. It is only in the last week or so that I have had the chance to see proper drawings of the roof and how that will look. Also side views of the house providing a perspective on heights of the windows / doorways, etc.

    Solex project-8-jpg


    ^ That’s a lot of roof (as anticipated). What might not be noticeable in this screenshot image is that he has indicated in green type along all slants of the roof (and the sala roof) that the slope is 30°. He also has overhangs of 120cm. That seemed quite a lot to me. At first I thought that might be the hypotenuse of the triangle, with the linear line horizontal out from the wall being 100cm in length. I asked him about this and he said 120cm was the horizontal line out from the wall/pillar. Wow! That’s quite a bit of overhang. No doubt adding on cost, and underlying supporting material.

    Solex project-9-jpg


    ^ Southern view of the house looking north, the arse end of the house. Note the windows tucked under the overhang to prevent direct solar radiation. The TV room windows on the far east are hidden under the carport roof. Notice also the eastern wing (kitchen, etc.) has a higher roof peak than the long-running southern wing. If we maintain the same roof pitch all around, then wings of differing depth will obviously have differing peak heights.

    Solex project-10-jpg


    ^ House viewed from the west, with soon-to-be-axed sala. Note how the ground slopes off down towards the north. This is intentional. We plan to use the earth dug up from the pool to fill in the ground surrounding the pool to the northern face of the house (garden area) and to slope down towards the stream bank (to the left of this picture). Thus creating a natural drain to take water away from the house and pool. Now, look at how tall the roof of that eastern wing is compared to the southern wing.

    Solex project-11-jpg


    ^ House viewed from the east. Note that we have steps to enter the house. The ground is 0cm, the concrete driveway is 10cm, and the house flooring is to be 50cm. The northern-facing windows will have just 10–20cm drop to the grass at the front, because there will be soil fill for the garden (as explained above).

    Solex project-12-jpg


    ^ House viewed from the north (the stream). Note the pool slab in the centre. Lots of glazing to capture that diffuse northern light. However, when I viewed this image, I started to become concerned that the roofs were too tall. I am 184cm. I pretty much fill up to the height of the sliding doors there. That eastern wing (on the left in this image) is very tall. How much is that going to cost in cement, bricks, tiles and steel? :/

    Solex project-13-jpg


    ^ That Nissan Micra isn’t to scale! On a serious note, this is where I finally get to see a height dimension of the peak of the roof of the eastern wing: 682cm! That is 4.7 mancs. Has he not done that too tall?

    ////

  25. #100
    Member
    manc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Last Online
    02-11-2021 @ 02:13 PM
    Posts
    143
    I always knew a design like mine would be glazing and roof-heavy. But finally I had a BoQ so I could scrutinise the items and see just how expensive this roof was going to be. I spent much of last Friday translating it. I am now attaching it here, although you may have more difficulty deciphering my English handwriting.

    Solex project-14-jpg
    Solex project-15-jpg
    Solex project-16-jpg
    Solex project-17-jpg
    Solex project-18-jpg
    Solex project-19-jpg
    Solex project-20-jpg
    Solex project-21-jpg
    Solex project-22-jpg


    A total of nearly 3.9MB for the house and sala. And nearly 1.1MB on the roof. But I will address the roof in a minute …

    /////

Page 4 of 7 FirstFirst 1234567 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •